So I was planning on applying to ED to Swarthmore but then I started reading more about Haverford and visited both and now I’m not sure. I know they’re pretty similar so if anyone could tell me some of the differences (pros and cons) that’d be great!
There’s more of a local gender imbalance in the bi-college relationship (Haverford/Bryn Mawr) than would be experienced in Swarthmore’s somewhat more distant position. Beyond distinctions like these, both Swarthmore and Haverford seem to have a lot to offer.
The Haverford grads I’ve met have been nice people, but I’ve been intellectually intimidated by every Swarthmore alumnus I’ve come across. FWIW I went to Harvard. I don’t know if that’s a point for or against either school, or maybe against me, but there you have it.
Hmmn, I sort of agree with Naval. Swarthmore sort of gives me the vibe if the University of Chicago had a LAC offspring, e.g. serious intellectual thought…and maybe not so fun.
Thanks to everyone whose responded! I kinda like that intellectual focus but I know both schools have them and they’re both so good too!
Haverford is a little more chill. Both have smart students. Haverford’s proximity to Bryn Mawr more easily opens up another school to study at - just 5 minutes away. What are your areas of academic interest?
Haverford is a little more preppy, Swarthmore a little more liberal
I want to study either Political science or International relations and then
History.
They aren’t really that similar, except that they are right next to each other. Haverford is a pretty communal college. Swat students work much, much harder – crazy hard. I have two kids who are very different. One liked Haverford (my kid who loves people) and one liked Swat (my kid for whom the greater the intellectual challenge and the heavier the workload, the better).
I thought I wanted a heavier workload but now I’m thinking I want a more people place. Does anyone know what people are like at Haverford?
Maybe you should apply RD to both, and go back for accepted student visits if you get in.
As a Haverford student who looked at both, there are many differences between the two. Swarthmore is more competitive and has a more intense vibe whereas at Haverford competition is frowned upon. The people at Haverford are extremely nice, but the few Swarthmore people I know also seem nice. The main difference is that Haverford has an Honor Code. This means that students are given a huge amount of freedom in almost every aspect of life here. Self-scheduled finals and take-home exams are fantastic. Also, Haverford has a close relationship with Bryn Mawr whereas Swarthmore does not have a very close relationship with either of the two. Both schools have their own advantages and disadvantages, but Haverford was right for me.
Haverford is much more pleasant and fun. We are fairly close and the area around Haverford is a million times nicer, Radnor, Wayne, etc. The other nice thing is that Villanova is there as well. Villanova was frowned upon years ago by Haverford and Bryn Mawr students but that is not the case anymore. Villanova adds a lot of college feel to the area along with the others.
I cannot find the right word to describe Swarthmore or the atmosphere. Been there are few times and its hard to describe. Not too many smiles that’s for sure. I also think much of the talk of workload is urban myth.
Yeah I recently realized I want somewhere that’s less competitive and more social. I love both schools but I think that and the honor code are starting to put Haverford in the top for me. I’m thinking of doing ED for Haverford and then if I don’t get in ED 2 for Swarthmore.
You should consider Lafayette as well. That is such a nice school with a great culture and great alumni. Don’t get so caught up on rankings. US News includes the service academies and that poll doesn’t handle all the ties well so it appears that there is a big difference in the schools. There really isn’t much difference in the top 25. Lafayette is right there close and is very social with great school spirit.
Thanks, I’m actually applying there as well!
Lovely school. Good luck.
If you don’t get into Haverford ED, it is highly unlikely you will get into Swat. Just saying. And if it doesn’t seem like the right school for you, why ED to it at all?
Hmmn good point. Hopefully I get in to my ED 1!
@intparent There is nothing in the student profiles to support what you said. Haverford has a higher AVG ACT and more students in the top 10% of the class, while Swarthmore has slighly higher SAT and lower acceptance rate but Haverford is much smaller.