UVA vs Haverford

<p>Hey everyone!
I just got accepted to Haverford and UVA and while they're very different schools which both have great reputations, I am in love with both of them! I dont know how to choose and would love if somebody could help me out! Which one has a better reputation because I have the impression that UVA is better known throughout the US while haverford more in the philly/DC/ny area...
And also the pro's and con's of both schools would be appreciated
Can someone tell me which one would be better for a pre-med student or somebody interested in economics/internatioal relations?
soory for all the questions but any help would be appreciated!</p>

<p>With two very good but extremely different schools, you should probably be deciding based on what type of fit or experience you want. Do you want small, discussion-based classes where the profs know you, or large lecture-type classes for the first two or more years? On the other hand, UVA comes with the other things that folks may prefer from a larger school, in terms of Greek life, bigger-time sports, etc. My neighbor just graduated from UVA…he loved it, but his classes were quite large for at least the first two years.</p>

<p>Also, if you are interested in post-graduate work, you may want to look into research opportunities for undergrads whereever you think you are going to end up. As one of the top small LAC’s in the US, Haverford has plenty of research opportunities for undergrads. I don’t know about UVA, so you may want to check that out.</p>

<p>Haverford is great for pre-med.</p>

<p>Ok, I will chime in. LOVE UVA…it is historically authentic, and Albemarle County is so beautiful that everyone appears to have drunk the same Kool-aide…and to be happy–great mental health quotient around campus and plenty of variety…very fluid social outlets you get in a larger college. We are Virginians and my son reveres Haverford and has taken courses on campus at UVA. It is possible that their international relations track is worth putting up with the oversized classes. Economics at UVA is the number one major in the school I believe…and entry classes are very large. Very. If you want to apply to the Business school instead of doing Econ…ranked number one in the USA this year, and you think you will be accepted to McIntyre (sp?)at the end of your freshman year, go to UVA.</p>

<p>Access to DC is awfully good at UVA. But UVA grads who know their professors well must also be very very good at initiating and sustaining contact…otherwise…you can drift.</p>

<p>I would look at Haverford’s relationship with the London School of Economics where I believe a select few Fords study annually. Outstanding and rare possibility. If you want rigor in your economics study in small classrooms, Haverford offers a 100% different experience.</p>

<p>If you want to be a doctor, don’t hesitate…go to Haverford, which also has a really Zen supportive community but will give you much much more rigor in the classroom. Many UVA students who should make it to med school lose their way and their admission rates to med school are far weaker than Wm and Mary’s and far far weaker than Haverford’s. Anyone with focus at Haverford will stay on track and graduate with lab skills that will help them greatly in med school.</p>

<p>At UVA it will largely be up to you to max out their opportunities, and being highly focused and hugely self directed is an absolute must to compensate for large classrooms.
If you value intimacy with professors, Haverford is a rare community indeed. HHMI science options at Haverford are also rare and highly valuable.<br>
If you are aiming for grad school, Haverford will get you ready.<br>
best of luck…</p>

<p>I’d go with UVA over Haverford. It has better name recognition. It will be easier for you to get a job/get into a good grad school with UVA. Also UVA has some world-renowned professors.</p>

<p>I agree with all the others that the schools are really so different and both excellent for their own type, it should depend on what you want and where you think you will flourish</p>

<p>Let me point out that being well-known and prestige are not the same. Surely, UVA has far more name recognition (state school, DI athletics, and student body about 18 times that of Haverford). </p>

<p>Haverford has ample prestige. While it may not be as well known to the general public, it is known to “those in the know.” In other words, I assure you that after you attend one the circles that you will begin to move in, travel in, live in, and work in will be familiar. The nation’s leading law firms, consulting firms, graduate schools, etc. know and love Haverford (and the other elite LACs). </p>

<p>Here’s what former Howard Hughes Medical Institute President (and Nobel Prize winner in chemistry) once wrote: “My pulse quickens when I see students from Carleton, Haverford, and Williams who have applied to our Ph.D. program.”</p>

<p>Check out the following:
<a href=“http://www.collegenews.org/prebuilt/daedalus/cech_article.pdf[/url]”>http://www.collegenews.org/prebuilt/daedalus/cech_article.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>[The</a> Wall Street Journal Classroom Edition<a href=“click%20on%20“top%20feeder%20colleges”%20in%20the%20ranking%20the%20colleges%20box”>/url</a></p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/haverford-college/427212-why-haverford-sciences-phenomenal-part-12-a.html?highlight=sciences[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/haverford-college/427212-why-haverford-sciences-phenomenal-part-12-a.html?highlight=sciences](<a href=“WSJ in Higher Education | Trusted News & Real-World Insights”>WSJ in Higher Education | Trusted News & Real-World Insights)</a></p>

<p>I think the economic downturn has impacted all colleges but does anyone know the extent on schools with significant public funding? Are budgets to flagship schools like UVA or Chapel Hill or UT Austin generally sacred cows? </p>

<p>In California,… never mind… I know better than extrapolating nationally anything from a sentence that begins “In California”…</p>