“There are no closed doors” at Haverford College, says junior Alana Thurston, a Boston-area native majoring in chemistry, of the academic, social and other opportunities available to undergraduates.
Many students attribute that pervasive feeling of openness to a highly influential honor code, rooted in the Quaker traditions of the college‘s founders, that aims to promote integrity and mutual respect.
Set along Philadelphia’s historic Main Line, about 8 miles from the city center, the liberal arts college’s campus is an arboretum — where trees outnumber students — complete with a duck pond and bounded by a 2 1/4-mile nature trail.
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Virtually everybody lives on campus, as do 60 percent of professors (most in faculty housing), so the Haverford community is close-knit. Classes average 15 students, and — count on it — “the professor will know your name,” says Chloe Wang, a sophomore interested in chemistry from Dobbs Ferry, New York.
There’s widespread agreement that the honor code really works. No resident assistants are needed to police the dorms, though students have access to upperclassmen and administrative support, and it’s standard practice to take exams without proctors and to leave laptops unattended and bikes unlocked around campus.
Haverfordians come together each semester for Plenary to discuss issues on campus and to make changes to policies as needed. “Really, at its core, every student is invested in making this a healthy community that’s inclusive,” says Dylan Reichman, a junior majoring in political science from Maplewood, New Jersey.
In keeping with Haverford’s liberal arts mission, at least 19 of the 32 courses required to complete a degree must be outside one’s major. Nearly all undergrads complete a thesis in their chosen field. About half study abroad.
In their residence halls, first-year students join a “customs group,” a community of peers and upperclass students who can offer advice on academics, programs on campus, and other topics. Older students can opt to live in housing built around a theme, in which residents often host events for all students. Examples include the Nerd House, a community where residents have regular board game nights and murder mystery parties, and Culinary House, where they hold dinners and cooking classes.
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While some students acknowledge the school can seem a bit insular, “it doesn’t feel small if you make the effort to get off campus,” notes Rosalie Samide, a spring psychology grad from Latrobe, Pennsylvania. One option is to take classes or eat at sister school Bryn Mawr College, with whom many activities are shared. Haverfordians can also take classes at the University of Pennsylvania and local rival Swarthmore College.
Moreover, given the proximity to Philadelphia, Haverford isn’t “kind of stuck in the woods like a lot of similarly sized schools,” says Phil Drexler, a recent grad in physics from Wilmington, Delaware. Many students take advantage of the city’s museums, shows, dining and sports teams.
Especially popular are events organized by the student-run group Fords Against Boredom, such as Ben & Jerry’s bingo and midnight cheesesteak runs. On campus, students cheer on the Division III Fords, hang out in the Coop or the student-run Lunt Cafe, and enjoy frequent a capella concerts and events like the winter SnowBall and spring festival.
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Eastern Pennsylvania College Road Trip: Haverford College originally appeared on usnews.com
