haverford vs. georgetown.

pointoforder
Tue, 07 Apr 2009 20:33:23 +0000

Why is Haverford do special? Haverford’s academic atmosphere is as rigorous, serious, and stimulating as any college in the nation. Moreover, at Haverford the principal education mission of the faculty is to focus on two things: research and undergraduate students. In addition, the College is committed to educating the “whole person.” Finally, it also has a great social environment, students are very happy, and there’s a strong sense of community. Generally, students love the College.

You are right that Haverford doesn’t have the general name recognition of Georgetown (Div I basketball and an undergrad enrollment 6 times that Haverford, a total enrollment that’s about 11 times that of Haverford). But, people that need to know, understand the prestige of Haverford. While Harvard offers the “H-bomb,” it’s Haverford that offers the tactical, smart “H-missile.” Those at the investment bank, at the elite law firm, on the Hill (in D.C.), in the top-ranked Ph.D. program, in the medical school admissions office, etc. will know. In other words, those that need to know actually know. It’s got plenty of cache.

If you care that the dental hygienist is impressed when he or she asks where you go/went to school, then there are bigger names to do the trick (and actually they aren’t the Ivys). At he end of the day, IMHO, the common man being impressed really doesn’t matter. What matters is that chairs of Ph.D. programs and presidents of the nations most important science foundation, writes “My pulse quickens when I see students from Carleton, Haverford, and Williams who have applied to our Ph.D. program.” See http://www.collegenews.org/prebuilt/daedalus/cech_article.pdf

On occasion, I’ve used the regional analogies. If the person’s from the Pacific Northwest I say it’s similar to Reed. If the person’s from California, I say it’s like Pomona. If the person’s from Ohio, I say it’s a cousin of Oberlin. If the person’s from Massachusetts, I say it’s equivalent to Amherst (or Williams). You get the point. Sometimes, they still don’t know the reference and other times it works.

On the social side, there are actually plenty of people to get to know. At most LACs, including Haverford, students get to know others from the classes above them and below them really well. Something that’s pretty rare in high school. So, with a 25% turnover every year there are lots of new people to meet. Also, the relationship with BMC also expands the pool of people to meet. So, I don’t think you need to worry about running out of people to interact and socialize with. That said, the social scene will be a bit more laid back than G’town.

Have you seen these videos about the College? [Haverford College Office of Admission: Admission Videos](http://www.haverford.edu/admission/videos/)