<p>Bryn Mawr’s traditions are more formal, often ritual. I am not a big fan of black robes, Greek chants or step-by-step instructions. Haverford’s traditions are more laid back and open-ended. For example, Haverfest (Haverford’s version of May Day) involves outdoor water games, a foam party and lots of alcohol. And there’s Assassin, a campus-wide game of water tag.</p>
<p>Both colleges have had their fair share of alcohol-related incidents in the recent past. </p>
<p>It is true that the HCAs (Haverford College Apartments) are in bad shape because the company in charge of maintaining them did a lousy job. That’s why Haverford has reclaimed control of the HCAs and they are planning to do some serious renovations this upcoming summer. The HCAs house about 400 students (1/3 of the campus!) and are a popular option for students who want to go off the meal plan. Unfortunately such an option does not exist at Bryn Mawr. The only way we can get off the meal plan is to move to Perry (the Black Cultural Center), Batten (an environmental coop - a bit too extreme for most students) or off campus. Our dining hall food is pretty decent but it gets old after a few years, and there are not many options for students with dietary restrictions (e.g. vegetarian and vegan students).</p>