Haverford College

The honor code at Haverford is the foundation of the school’s academics and culture.  This strong code of ethics is constructed and enforced by the students and impacts almost all facets of student life within the college.  Students schedule their own exams, take unsupervised tests and enforce their own underage drinking policies.  The code is reviewed and refined every year by the students at a meeting called the Plenary.  In typical Quaker style, decisions are not determined by vote but by consensus. The importance of a this strong set of values then infiltrates down to the most mundane behaviors with students feeling comfortable leaving doors unlocked and and their computers on their desk in the library if they have to step away because crime is basically non-existent.  Having such a strong honor code then serves as almost a self-selecting process by drawing students with similar values and concerns and a strong respect for others.

A second dynamic that also makes Haverford unique is the fact that all students have a senior thesis/project.  This effort may range from a 25 - 120 page paper depending on the field of interest. On average there are 325 graduating seniors, each providing a senior presentation to which the whole school is invited.  

Haverford is a small liberal arts college of just over 1,000 students.  Some of the schools’ strongest programs include the Biological and Physical sciences,  English, History, Political Science and Economics.  Historically, Haverford was an all male college with Bryn Mawr being its sister school.  The vestiges of this relationship remain with Bryn Mawr having complimentary academic strengths and Haverford students not only being able to take classes at Bryn Mawr but also having the ability to major in areas at Bryn Mawr. 10% of Haverford students major at Bryn Mawr.  Popular areas include Macro Biology, Clinical Psychology, Dance, Theater, and The Growth and Structure of Cities.  The integrated nature of the two schools extends beyond academics with Haverford students having the ability to live in Bryn Mawr housing.

Although Haverford is academically rigorous, the culture is not competitive.  Students don’t know each others grades.  Instead they are simply passionate about learning.  Students tend to be intellectually curious and self-motivated.  They work hard but are also involved with a lot of different things, learning in and outside the classroom.  The have passionate interests and are engaged with their community locally and globally.