Haverford College Top Questions

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The Haverford student body is incredibly diverse. The word diverse is thrown around a lot nowadays, but in this case I am speaking most specifically about the vast differences in experiences, hobbies, strengths, weaknesses and personalities of the student body. I would say that everyone I have met here is friendly and smart, but that is where general similarities end. Everyone here has something very unique about them, and everyone brings new ideas and experiences to the table. Although Haverford is a very expensive school, there are a lot of kids on scholarship so it doesn't have the snobby feel that other schools have. Students are generally "down to earth" and very accepting and understanding, coming from all backgrounds economically, geographically, politically, sexually...I would say that the feel of the campus is liberal but mostly due to the mutual respect between all members of the diverse community.

No student would feel out of place. The community is very accepting. Different types of students interact but there are alot of students who are antisocial. Predominantly left.

First and foremost, you should know that Haverford is definitely a liberal campus--in every sense of the word. I'd say that conservatives generally feel a little like their sentiments about politics get brushed under the rug, if not thrown into the firepit. That isn't to say that stimulating political discussions don't thrive on campus, however. Haverford students often care a lot (or say they care a lot) about changing the world, and therefore go into nonprofits after graduating, at least at the beginning. Nobody really ever talks about how rich they are (or aren't), though it's true that the majority of the campus is from intellectual (and therefore middle-upper-middle class) backgrounds, but there isn't really any socioeconomic status element to social life here at Haverford. The campus is predominately white, but I guess that it's like that at most liberal arts colleges. Haverford could do with more racial diversity, however. There doesn't seem to be a big racial divide as far as I can tell, but it would be great to have more visual diversity nonetheless. Students, if they are religious, are usually not overt about it--or at least are aware of the fact that there are many non-religious people on campus. I don't think that students feel persecuted for being religious, although as a very loosely religious person myself, I can't speak for them. Students are, for the most part, pretty athletic and active. The most visible evidence of this is the men's track team, which takes up an entire table of the dining center. There aren't any frats or sororities, so one might say that the "frat scene" role is taken up by the athletic teams, however not nearly to the same scale--and it is often the athletes who are stigmatized, not the ones who are doing the stigmatizing. I'd say that the Haverford student body is friendly, and not very clique-oriented, for the most part. Everyone is genuinely nice and very few people want to start up arguments with others. Haverfordians prefer intellectual debates to social status battles.

Usually very lovable. Conservatives and republicans will feel very out of place at Haverford. Tends to be very aware of social justice, out to make a difference in the world. Haverford grads don't make much money because too many go on to work in NGOs or do pro bono work, etc. Often white middle upper class, although diversity both national and international is competitive with other colleges of Haverford's tier.

there is a lack of diversity right now i feel, that they are trying to work on everyone is laid back and people wear whatever they like. everything from sweatpants to tights and skirts. there is really no cliques except maybe some sports teams, but even everyone knows others faces and there is no disdain between people or groups. they dont really exist. people interact pretty well, although there are some custom groups who stick together, but people are always open to meet people and are bound to, with small classes. very left-leaning, be aware, republicans! there are a good amount who dont care about politics, but most have some thought on it.

The campus is decently diverse, but the vast majority is middle-class white people. In my opinion, that doesn't stop interactions with other cultures and I have plenty of "ethnic" friends. I don't really consider them as different until they start talking about their home country or something. Anyone would be welcomed on campus and there are plenty of strange students who fit right in. Most of the campus is pretty liberal, though there are a few Republicans who tend to make themselves heard. There are no fraternities or sororities, but several of the sports teams seem to take over that role. A large percentage of the campus is somehow involved in varsity athletics and almost everyone else at least does something active.

There's been a recent effort to attempt to increase diversity awareness on campus. Each group of Freshman has an upperclassman who tells them about multicultural events on campus and helps them deal with problems relating to multiculturalism. People here are pretty casual - t-shirts, polos, and sweatshirts are the norm. Rarely do people get too dressed up for anything. Most Haverford students come from Middle-Class backgrounds, although our geographical diversity is noticeable. A small faction of students are politically active, but nearly all students are politically aware. The campus is very left-wing. Students don't talk about money unless it's a joke about how they'll get their philosophy degree then spend the rest of their life without a job, living in a cardboard box.

Haverford has only one dining center, and so in it one can find a slice of the student body. Often, teams will sit together after practice, but groups tend to interact. People are dressed in anything from pajamas to skirts or dresses. Everyone is comfortable in their own skin, there is no need to put on a front. Everyone is genuine and nerdy.

Class is very informal, lots of pajamas etc. There's the "phantom 500" that's rumored to only study in their rooms and go to class, so they're never seen around campus. Otherwise, people are very, very nice. People are very approachable, even complete strangers. That was one of the more surprising things about the school - everyone is so nice. Most kids are from the east coast, but there are a surprising number of west coasters too.

The student body is varied and outspoken about many different issues. However, there are certain unifying trends. For instance, the population is overwhelmingly liberal. Conservative members of the community are practically frowned upon and socially outcast. Most students wear comfortable, semi-nice clothing on a daily basis. Maybe one day out of the week the girls will wear a dress and some nice shoes and the guys will wear a nice button down and some slacks, just because they feel like it. Ultimately, I think people wear what makes them feel good and what fits their personality, of which there are many types on our campus. Different types of students interact (for the most part- I'm excluding the sports teams. They keep largely to themselves and their groups of significant others, who almost always come from other sports teams anyway).

Haverford students are all very diverse and come from many backgrounds. One of the main issues with diversity is definitely political diversity since almost all students are democrats. A nice thing about Haverford is that all students interact. There are always the athletes who tend to form groups but most athletes have other friends as well. Students at Haverford are definitely not worried about getting jobs in which they will earn a lot of money, but rather getting jobs that will make them happy.

Students here are liberal. Quite frankly, if I were republican, I'd be terrified to come out of the closet about it here. Despite the remarkable level of tolerance for racial, religious, sexual, and economic differences, there is very little respect for the conservative point of view.

I personally come from a stable household that used to be poor. Both my parents are immigrants to the US and we went from living in an apartment in the bad part of the city to owning our own home in an all right part of the city in my lifetime. There are kids here who pay the whole tuition without breaking the bank and others who get the whole thing paid for because they can't afford to give out a dime. I'm in the middle and hang out with both sides. The way i see it is its all in the company you keep, if your big on the whole race thing then have a bunch of friends that are your race and you'll feel fine.

Students are extremely chilled out. We know how to work, and we know when it is absolutely necessary to STOP working and play some ultimate frisbee. Arbitrary social boundaries (high-school style) are looser, but not absent; however, they are less based on physical appearance and personal style, and more on personality. Smart kids, nice kids-- we could use more alternative personalities though. It gets a bit country club from time to time.

Boring. Disjointed. Awkward. There are a small percentage of very interesting people who got duped into coming to Haverford. They stick together and struggle to have a normal college experience, living with one another and venturing into Philadelphia whenever possible. It isn't easy.

Most students wear Haverford clothes, like things that say Haverford in some form. Dining Tables: Boy Track Team Girl and Boy Ultimate Frisbee Team Custom Groups Random People that met somehow A lot of sport teams eat together because they finish practice and just eat together.

There are groups on campus to represent everyone. We have students of color, women of color, a sexuality and gender alliance, jewish groups, christian groups, latino/a groups, and groups that are not affiliated with any of these categories. Haverford goes out of it's way to make everyone feel comfortable. Students here express themselves freely. I don't see many people wear pajamas to class (I think out of respect for the professor), but students wear everything from sweatpants to jeans and sneakers to dresses and high heels. Most Haverford students are from the Northeast and we don't really know what financial backgrounds are most prevalent. That is something else that is just not spoken about. Students here love their politics, especially with the primary and the upcoming election. People here are very liberal and conservatism is not really well represented here at all.

Haverford is very welcoming of LGBT and other minority groups on campus. There are a lot of organizations and also outreach/awareness events for such groups. As for socio-economic position, most people at Haverford are very privileged to come from the backgrounds that they are. That said, Haverford is not a place where people are at all showey with their money and I've never felt uncomfortable as a person who is here on financial aid. I looked at other schools where everyone wore the trendiest clothes and had the new Louis Vuitton bag, but that's just not what Haverford is like. The general disposition here is a relaxed one, so even though lots of people have plenty of money, it's not a segregating factor at all. I would also say that a lot of different types of students interact; it's too small a school not to.

The student body has ongoing conversations about anything from diversity on the campus to what was on last night’s menu. I believe that we have a fairly diverse campus, as far as race, religion, LGBT, socio-economic, etc. are concerned because of how small we are. I’m in contact with people outside of my own “categories” all the time. Funny question – most students wear whatever is comfortable, although some tend to wear high heels and mini-skirts, which I don’t understand. Half the time I wear sweatpants and sweatshirts, half the time I wear “normal” clothes. If there were four tables of students in the dining hall, this is what it would look like: one table would be the track/cross-country men, one table would be the rest of the athletes (all races, religions, etc.), another table would be the very shy/awkward nerds, and another table would be the rest of the cool people that aren’t at the sports table (including all the Puerto Ricans). We have lots of people from Puerto Rico and other Caribbean islands, lots from Asia and India, and some people from Africa. We have students from all financial backgrounds because we have need-based financial aid. We are politically aware and active (in fact, today Hilary Clinton came to campaign here at Haverford, and two days ago Michelle Obama was here doing the same thing!). Not many students talk about how much they’ll earn one day, but we all know it’s important, unfortunately.