Haverford College offers one of the finest undergraduate educations in the world.
Haverford College offers one of the finest undergraduate educations in the world. Our 1,353 students enjoy the many benefits of living and learning in a diverse community made up of students from nearly every state and more than 45 foreign countries, where 47% of students identify as people of color and 25% speak a language other than English at home. Rooted in our Quaker heritage, the Haverford community centers on upholding the value of every individual. Haverford provides a rigorous and intensely personal liberal arts education inspired by intellectual depth, collaboration, and a commitment to ethical leadership. There is no place where students are more trusted, have more opportunities to shape their own path, or have a more profound impact on the overall community experience.
Academics
The core of the classroom experience involves learning from the professors’ direct research and scholarship and having the opportunity to be an active, vital participant in every class. It is expected that all students will be involved in research. Students are true collaborators and trusted colleagues in the classroom.
Faculty
Our faculty members are internationally recognized thought leaders dedicated to working closely with undergraduates. At large research institutions, it can be difficult to connect with your professors—but the experience here is designed to maximize the amount of time students spend in direct collaboration with faculty. Sixty-one percent of our faculty live on campus, allowing them to develop strong, supportive ties and undertake in-depth research with their students.
Consortium
Haverford, Bryn Mawr, and Swarthmore Colleges together comprise the Tri-College Consortium. Students can cross-register for classes among the three schools, and there is significant social interaction. Haverford students can also take some courses at the University of Pennsylvania, including the Wharton School of Business.
Master’s degree partnerships
Haverford works with five institutions—the University of Pennsylvania, California Institute of Technology, Claremont McKenna College, Georgetown University, and Zhejiang University—to offer eight accelerated degree partnership programs in areas such as Bioethics, Engineering, Finance, and more.
Student life
A vivid sense of community is the heart of life at Haverford. Ninety-eight percent of students live on campus. There are more than 140 clubs and organizations. If you can’t find one you like, you’re encouraged to start your own. We field 23 varsity teams and numerous club sports. There is a half-million-dollar student activities budget that is managed by student government and supports club activities, campus events, concerts, speakers, and trips to downtown Philadelphia.
Philadelphia
Haverford is located eight miles from the sixth-largest city in America. The city of Philadelphia has a significant impact on the experiences students have on and off campus. Philadelphia, America’s first World Heritage City, offers world-class museums, renowned restaurants, sports teams, and venues for the arts. The urban environment is rich with service, volunteer, career, and internship opportunities.
Thesis
Haverford is one of the few institutions at which every student will produce a senior thesis or project. This capstone academic experience offers every Haverford student the chance to develop and execute their own original scholarly work.
Academic centers
The Koshland Integrated Natural Sciences Center, the Hurford Center for the Arts and Humanities, and the Center for Peace and Global Citizenship play an essential role by supporting cutting-edge research, invigorating the arts on campus, and sending Haverford students across the globe on internships. Above all, the Centers enrich scholarship beyond the boundaries of the traditional classroom. As grant-making entities to some 150 students per year, the Centers can provide up to $10,000 in research funding per student.
Student profile
Haverford attracts ambitious, intellectually curious, independent learners who value honesty, collaboration, integrity, compassion, and, above all, new ways of seeing and engaging with the world. Admitted students have strong academic records and represent a diversity of backgrounds and interests. For the Class of 2023, Haverford received 4,963 applications. Sixteen percent of candidates were admitted, with 362 choosing to enroll. For students admitted to the Class of 2023, 98% were ranked in the top 20th of their high school classes; their 25th–75th percentile SAT scores ranged from 680–750 Reading and 700–790 Math. Forty-eight percent of the members of the Class of 2023 are students of color, and 14% are international students.
Admission
Our primary criterion for admission is academic excellence. We admit students who are able and interested in achieving at the highest levels of scholarship and service, who will engage deeply and substantively in the community, and who are intent on growing both intellectually and personally.
The admission process is conducted as a comprehensive review, where each applicant is treated personally and individually and a broad range of information is taken into account. We provide you with the opportunity to convey who you are in the broadest sense possible, what you have achieved during your secondary school experience, and how you will contribute to and grow from a Haverford education.
To apply, visit haverford.edu/admission/applying.
