•AVERAGE: 69
Haverford College is a private, coeducational liberal arts institution founded in 1833 by members of the Orthodox Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). While Haverford has no formal religious affiliation, Quaker philosophy still influences academic life. Established as an all-male institution, Haverford began admitting female transfer students as early as 1970 and became fully co-ed in 1980. Located in Haverford, Pennsylvania, the college is just eight miles outside of Philadelphia, the fifth largest city in the United States. With the train station located right across from the campus entrance, students have easy access to the social, historical, and cultural experiences, jobs, and internships the city has to offer. Known for its educational quality, Haverford has an excellent track record in its students and graduates who are admitted into medical, law, and professional schools at rates significantly higher than the national average.
Academic Programs
Haverford operates a little differently than most colleges in that students are given an unparalleled degree of freedom and responsibility when it comes to their own education. In place for over 100 years is the Honor Code – Haverford’s code of conduct that places trust in its students to act with responsibility and honesty. There are no RAs in dorms, exams are unproctored, 24-hour lab access is granted, and there is no admission enrollment deposit. Through this unconventional method, Haverford’s purpose is to teach students responsibility and develop them into good citizens who are trustworthy, concerned, and respectful community members.Consistently ranked among the top academic institutions in the nation, Haverford’s curricular requirements are intentionally diverse to ensure that students become well-rounded and expansive thinkers. The school boasts nearly 30 academic departments, over 25 programs, and students have access to four libraries. Haverford is part of a unique four-college exchange program known as the Quaker Consortium, involving Bryan Mawr and Swarthmore Colleges and the University of Pennsylvania. Through the University of Pennsylvania, Haverford students are offered a 4+1 engineering program that grants a B.S. from Haverford and a Masters from Penn in just five years.
Student Life
Haverford has a total enrollment of over 1,000, split almost in half between male and female students. Though only first-year, transfer and exchange students are required, nearly all students live on-campus – as does over 60% of the faculty – in student housing that is overwhelmingly co-ed. Haverford’s residence halls offer a wide variety of accommodations, ranging from four-person apartments to suites and singles. Many of the residence halls are beautifully constructed historic buildings, several dating back to the late nineteen and early twentieth centuries. Students have a number of options for dining in and around the campus as well.An NCAA Division III school, over 30% of students participate in intercollegiate sports and there are over 20 varsity teams. Over 140 student-run clubs and organizations exist, centering around an array of topics and interests, including academic; affinity; special interest; awareness; media & publication; spiritual & religious; sports & recreation; music; pre-professional organization; student government; service & activism; and visual & performing arts.