<p>Ok, I will chime in. LOVE UVA…it is historically authentic, and Albemarle County is so beautiful that everyone appears to have drunk the same Kool-aide…and to be happy–great mental health quotient around campus and plenty of variety…very fluid social outlets you get in a larger college. We are Virginians and my son reveres Haverford and has taken courses on campus at UVA. It is possible that their international relations track is worth putting up with the oversized classes. Economics at UVA is the number one major in the school I believe…and entry classes are very large. Very. If you want to apply to the Business school instead of doing Econ…ranked number one in the USA this year, and you think you will be accepted to McIntyre (sp?)at the end of your freshman year, go to UVA.</p>
<p>Access to DC is awfully good at UVA. But UVA grads who know their professors well must also be very very good at initiating and sustaining contact…otherwise…you can drift.</p>
<p>I would look at Haverford’s relationship with the London School of Economics where I believe a select few Fords study annually. Outstanding and rare possibility. If you want rigor in your economics study in small classrooms, Haverford offers a 100% different experience.</p>
<p>If you want to be a doctor, don’t hesitate…go to Haverford, which also has a really Zen supportive community but will give you much much more rigor in the classroom. Many UVA students who should make it to med school lose their way and their admission rates to med school are far weaker than Wm and Mary’s and far far weaker than Haverford’s. Anyone with focus at Haverford will stay on track and graduate with lab skills that will help them greatly in med school.</p>
<p>At UVA it will largely be up to you to max out their opportunities, and being highly focused and hugely self directed is an absolute must to compensate for large classrooms.
If you value intimacy with professors, Haverford is a rare community indeed. HHMI science options at Haverford are also rare and highly valuable.<br>
If you are aiming for grad school, Haverford will get you ready.<br>
best of luck…</p>