Swat vs. Haverford

Colleges and Universities A-Z Haverford College
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<p>I know this topic has been discussed in the past (I've read all of the threads about it), but I want to hear from actual students of both schools regarding the facets of each institution that are most important to me.</p>

<p>I'll start by saying that my primary academic interests are English, literature (especially Indian, Asian, and American literature), psychology (behavioral and socially-focused as opposed to biologically-focused), philosophy, and religion (especially Eastern and non-Judeo-Christian religions). This is perhaps a vague statement, but I'm also looking for an education that encourages creativity and interdisciplinary thinking, which I know is emblematic of liberal arts schools in general, but perhaps thrives more at certain institutions than others.</p>

<p>In terms of post-college, I'm interested in journalism, some sort of writing that's creative in nature (screenwriting, novel writing, being a freelance writer), psychological research, and law with some sort of social justice-focused application, in that order.</p>

<p>And in terms of a student body, I mostly want to be around open-minded, creative, warm, seriously intellectual, caring and laid-back people. This is perhaps a silly generalization, but I also seem to get along especially well with international students (I was in college for a short period of time this year) and, while the student body stats are available for each institution, I'd be interested to hear about the degree of interaction between internationals and non-internationals at each school. Also, the degree of interaction between people of different ethnicities is something I'd be interested in hearing about, as this seems to differ at least somewhat between institutions.</p>

<p>Night-life: Laid back--lectures, movie screenings, trips to to Philly, late night discussions. Not into parties really--don't care about how good the parties are at each.</p>

<p>Any input from current students or people who have spend significant amounts of time at each school? And interesteddad, while I appreciate your statistics-driven posts and find them both interesting and valuable, I am really more interested in hearing from people who have more direct experience with each school than being the parent of a student. </p>

<p>And for one last final, perhaps irrelevant reference point, Wesleyan was my top choice (because of the general vibe, the strengths of the humanities departments, the varied social options, the creative spirit) but financial aid sucked too much.</p>

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<p>Have you visited both?</p>

<p>I think it depends on which felt more like home for you?</p>

<p>According to internal studies the cross-admit rate (people admitted to both schools) run about even, so it shows students are really deciding based on perceived fit.</p>

<p>Have you seen these videos? I think they really capture the College well.
[Haverford</a> College Office of Admission: Admission Videos](<a href=“http://www.haverford.edu/admission/videos/]Haverford”>http://www.haverford.edu/admission/videos/)</p>

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<p>I did indeed visit both. </p>

<p>There was something about Haverford campus that I really, really loved. It felt old, cozy, warm, and authentic. The red brick paths made me feel…happy. The wooden tables and chairs in the classrooms were pleasantly out-of-era. The DC reminded me of an old coffee shop, and was the only DC I’ve been to with caesar salad dressing.</p>

<p>Swarthmore, on the other hand, I wanted to leave before getting out of the bus. It just felt kind of…cold to me. I did end up liking Swat more as I spent more time there, but it definitely aroused a different first impression and “gut feeling” than did Haverford.</p>

<p>I suppose the main factors drawing me to Swat are rational ones–endowment size, study abroad and postgrad opportunities, the well-funded and well-supported extern program, the strength of the English department (my main interest) and presence of an actual Film Studies department, the ability to take classes at Penn and have my train ticket paid for, the highly diverse student body…It’s never attracted me on a “gut feeling” level like Haverford, but it, on paper, possesses the majority of criteria I am looking for.</p>

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<p>I think you will find most of the things on your list at Haverford as well, with the exception of a Film Studies Department. You can take courses at Penn I think. And study abroad and postgrad opportunities won’t vary much either.</p>

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<p>Hi Mythmom. Yes, you can take classes at the College of General Studies at Penn from HC if the class is not offered in the Bi-Co or Tri-co… not sure about the Septa tickets though. As a HC sudent, you are also invited to do research at Penn’s Institute of Regenerative Medicine as well. This consortium did not invite <strong>cough cough</strong> :wink: [University</a> of Pennsylvania Establishes Institute for Regenerative Medicine: University of Pennsylvania](<a href=“http://www.upenn.edu/pennnews/article.php?id=1265]University”>http://www.upenn.edu/pennnews/article.php?id=1265)</p>

<p>kramerica, If you read the past posts regarding this comparison, I imagine you may have checked out my past scribblings on this topic. Just want to emphasize that </p>

<p>the comparison is not
“Haverford or Swarthmore” </p>

<p>but rather, really,
“Haverford (+Bryn Mawr) or Swarthmore”.</p>

<p>This allows, for example, HC’s psych department to focus on behavioral while BMC’s is developmental and, as a result, advanced psych topics in behavioral and deveopmental can be taught to students as there are enough faculty to really explore the breadth and depth of each sub-field. Also, there are some departments at Bryn Mawr that are stronger than either ones at HC or SC. Whatever school you choose will provide you with ample resources, so not sure if discussing this stuff is really significant.</p>

<p>Two of HC’s strongest departments are Religion and Phil. When I mean strong, I mean as good as the natural science departments which, as you may know, I think are phenomenal. Swat’s phil and religion are expectedly wonderful as well. Cornell West taught at HC before Princeton and Michael Sells, former head of UChicago’s Divinity school, was former head of HC’s religion department before he went back to head his alma mater. Older, in the 1980’s one of HC’s professors went to Harvard to head their divinity school. [Divinity</a> School Chooses Haverford Prof as Dean | The Harvard Crimson](<a href=“http://www.thecrimson.com/article/1986/1/6/divinity-school-chooses-haverford-prof-as/]Divinity”>Divinity School Chooses Haverford Prof as Dean | News | The Harvard Crimson) These departments attract some really impressive scholars… in the past and I’m sure the present as well. Anne McGuire who is a national expert on Mary Magdalene and feminism in the New Testament is still there and she was one of my favorite professors at HC when I was there in the late 90’s.</p>

<p>-Both schools will have a culture of social justice.
-Each school though has a distinct campus culture.

  • [Bryn</a> Mawr College: Film Studies Program](<a href=“http://www.brynmawr.edu/filmstudies/courses.html]Bryn”>http://www.brynmawr.edu/filmstudies/courses.html)
    -Both schools will have quirky kids, but maybe in a different way
    -Swat has a few more minority and international students. The quality of interaction you have in terms of your relatioships with others will depend more on yourself rather than any external constructs of “theme housing” ect that people will argue over.
    -Journalism? Either school will prepare you solidly. You’re not going to get better than HC though. In the 1990’s, both chief editors of the LA times and NY times were HC grads. In addition, the current economics editor of the Wall Street Journal and chief editor of the Harvard Business Review went to Haverford. The former head of Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism (considered the best in many circles) is an alum. So, even without a journalism program, HC still cranks them out. That to me suggests that it’s not necessarily the classes available to students that makes the difference, but rather education defined by something else.</p>
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<p>I think that’s the key. Everything else is pretty even. I’m also interested in philosophy, religion and creative writing and had the same sort of feeling that you did upon visiting Haverford. I applied and got in and am really excited.</p>

<p>And you might want to consider what my host student at Haverford told me about Swarthmore: “There, it’s work, sleep, friends: pick two.” Obviously this is probably borne out of rivalry and such, but there is some kernel of truth to it I think.</p>

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<p>Popping over from the Swat thread to say that 1) I wish you’d given your visit impressions over there, and 2) I think you should go to Haverford. Gut feeling is important, and while Swarthmore is a better academic fit, it’s probably not so much better that you should pass up your favorite school in “spirit.” (I, personally, found Haverford really dry and boring on my visit, and did not even apply. I didn’t fall in love with Swat on first sight either, but I never felt like it was cold.)</p>

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<p>As soon as I read your words ‘silly generation’ I knew the answer. (in my mind)
Haverford.
We are a silly bunch. We’re a silly geeky bunch and WAY more laid back than Swat.
We have a black squirrel as our mascot for gods sake! Someone dresses up as a giant black squirrel!!</p>

<p>I personally went to Swat and found them to be kind of dull, if sometimes cute, and a bit full of themselves. At Haverford they people I met made me laugh. They were kind from the get go, a bit crazy and intriguing. They’re also geeks and SO proud of it. Haverford is just a much kinder, warmer and closer group of people in my experience.</p>

<p>Plus, if you want classes at Swat, you can still take them. There’s a van that goes over about ever hour.</p>

<p>Also, at Haverford, you get the full course listing of Haverford and Bryn Mawr without even having a long commute. They’re basically meshed together academically.
If you’re considering courses, then look at the ones that are at Haverford and Bryn Mawr because you’ll never have to deal with a real hassle of not being able to take a class because of the time of the commute.</p>

<p>I will give Swat credit for having good parties though and having good classes. Oh and they have a ~GIANT LAWN CHAIR O’ DOOM~.
But I just like Haverford and I can still take their classes if I want.
I would rather actually live at Haverford though.</p>

<p>Oh! And we have better dorms! Freshman singles or apartments FTW! you only ever have to have a double if you want it. Or if you write down cooking and don’t put that you want private time to yourself on your housing form. (because putting cooking is a surefire way to get you into an apartment as a frosh.)</p>

<p>Oh! And Haverfords FAB (Fords Against Bordom) does a really good job of having events.
We have indie bands all the time play Lunt, there are movie screenings (both Haverford and Bryn Mawr have them and are open to both colleges), random stuff (ex. We’re having an egg drop contest tomorrow. who can make the best basket protection for a dropped egg.), scheduled trips you can sign up for (musicals, food tour, paintball, baseball, basketball) or make your own fun (ping pong, video games, movie rental for your own movie night, crazy people who will do other non-partying things with you). And of course there’s academic lectures, movies and talks all the time.</p>

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<p>The OP used the term ‘laid-back’ more than once. For this reason, Haverford wins this particular (personal) contest. Swat’s an awesome place but I have never, ever heard it described as ‘laid-back’.</p>

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<p>Having visited both, I would agree. There is something particularly warm and charming about Haverford.</p>

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<p>AyamicSttarfish: </p>

<p>I wrote “silly generalization,” lol.</p>

<p>But thank you for the detailed response! 'Fords are definitely a helpful bunch :D.</p>