Haverford College Top Questions

I expected a less homogeneous bunch than I actually found, but there are a fair number of quirky types, preppy types, grungy types, etc. If you're smart and eclectic and think differently and want to make a difference in the world, you would belong here. Most students are actually quite wealthy but it's not intimidating because no one is pretentious - I come from a poorer background and was worried that I would feel out of place, but I don't. Mostly everyone interacts with one another - the issue is more so that people find groups of friends and settle in with them and just forget to try and interact with everyone else, but most people are delighted to sort of "wake up" from that and meet new people, and most people will welcome you into the fold. Everyone's pretty liberal but no one forces their viewpoints on anyone else - I'm more conservative and even though my vegan, Denis-Kucinich-voting friends don't understand it, they don't prosteltyze (sp?)

Haverford is trying really hard to become diverse. It is a major focus of the campus and we are achiving it more or less. Four Tables: one has just students eating alone or eating and studying, preferring to not to be bothered. One is composed of sports teams, and the other two are a mix of different friend-groups. Students are generally politically aware but not horribly active. There is a small group who is extremely politically active. The campus is predominatly left, though there are individuals who are in the center and if you look really long and hard, you will see some of us who are conservative.

Student body is very open and accepting, unless you are a proponent of conservative ideals. Cigar clubs, business clubs, republicans and the like may find themselves suppressed here. Communication is encouraged under the honor code and students are very willing to confront each other when faced with problems. Many students come from the east coast and California. Students all eat together in one dining center. By senior year you will recognize many faces.

The student body is really diverse, in my opinion. There's a place for everybody. Different types of students definitely interact! I would consider myself slightly off-beat and quirky, and some of my closest friends are typical jocks, nerds, alternative kids, intellectuals, partiers, etc. "There are four tables of students in the dining hall..." pshh, what kind of question is that?! People eat with their friends, and there aren't set "groups" of friends. Students hang out with whoever they want to hang out with. Politically, this campus is almost entirely left. No surprise there.

I find that when it comes to diversity, Haverford claims to be diverse but this isn't the case. A good friend of mine is the only latino male in our graduating class. Haverford claims to foster diversity and pursue social justice however this is just an idealized slogan. When it comes to tackling difficult issues concerning race and class Haverford students, staff and administrators for the most part shut down. Last year, a group of mostly black female students decided to bring up issues of race on campus to the greater community. They sponsored school-wide forums and discussions however the community proved to be apathetic. When it comes to seriously tackling the issues, people refuse to come out of their shells. It seems people are incapable of saying what they mean and meaning what they say.

Being poor or, in some cases, black or hispanic would make some students feel out of place at Haverford. Most students either dress up, in polos and fancy, plaid shorts, or dress down, sweats. Most people can interact with any social group but there are definite boundaries and it takes special people to break them. Most Haverford students are rich and liberal. A lot of students come from the NJ/NY area.

I am a Christian, and I am some experience with Christian Fellowships. My fellowship, is not very organized and on the liberal side. It would not fit under the typical term Evangelical because it is too liberal.

Haverford students are a neurotic bunch, but easy going and unpretentious. Again, after going to classes at Upenn, I have a new appreciation for the lack of ostentation on Haverford's campus. If anything, we have swung in the other direction: if would be almost unspeakably taboo for someone to brag about how much money they have or how much they hope to earn. There are relatively few outright assholes, though there are some.

I realize this isn't very helpful, but everyone here is pretty "normal." There's a huge mix of people, personalities, backgrounds, orientations, and interests, and I think it's safe to say that everyone fits in. It's really hard to label us. There's not really a "type" that wouldn't fit in here, although if you are close-minded, super-conservative, or lazy and unwilling to bring it all in the classroom, Haverford may not be the place for you. People are pretty laid back. Everyone wears their Haverford clothes all the time- because everyone has an account at the bookstore that's part of tuition, you can buy sweatshirts, pants, t shirts, etc. without having to spend "real money." Even on weekends dress is pretty casual. If you want to go to formals or wear heels all the time, Haverford's social scene isn't for you. Haverfordians are pretty open when it comes to talking about tough issues like class, race, religion, sexual orientation, and gender. The Customs Program includes intensive discussions throughout the year addressing these issues.

In terms of "diversity" I think Haverford is not necessarily the MOST diverse place but is a very accepting environment. LGBT students seem to be widely accepted on campus. While race has recently been raised as an issue because it is not very frequently talked about, I don't think that students of color necessarily feel uncomfortable on campus. However, I obviously cannot speak for everyone. It seems to me that all sorts of students interact, and that cliquiness is not usually an issue. Haverford students are generally liberal (bordering hippie-ish in lifestyle, at times)and (again generally) very community-service oriented. Many students (I'd say a greater proportion than the general population) are even so committed to helping others that they might be classified as self-sacrificing. While I am someone who has happily engaged in a lot of community service because it is fulfilling and fun for me, I do think there is pressure at Haverford to be a "good person" and to be active in the community, both on-campus and globally. While success in most places in the world is defined by money and job position, I think success at Haverford is more defined by how much one has done to help others. Haverford students rarely seem to talk about how much they will earn in the future, and I think this is because they don't care (or feel pressure to not care). Haverford is definitely a very casual campus- students wear jeans or sweats to class usually. While this makes for a relaxed atmosphere, I do feel that a more conservative, professional-feeling student would feel out of place. A lot of Haverford students come from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. Next most common seems to be Maryland, Virgina, and New England. There are also students from the West Coast, some from the Midwest (Illinois, Ohio) and fewer from the South and the middle of the country.