Diverse, Hands-On Quaker Education at Haverford
Haverford College appears in our ranking of 50 Most Affordable Colleges that Meet Significant Financial Need.
Ranked America’s 11th top liberal arts school on Forbes, Haverford College follows an Honor Code based on Society of Friends values to confer 28 bachelor’s majors, 31 minors, and 13 concentrations plus 11 partner programs in Greater Philadelphia at a 9:1 learner-faculty ratio. For example, the Astronomy Major lets undergrads utilize the 16-inch Schmidt-Cassegrin telescope at its William J. Strawbridge Observatory for space research within the Keck Northeast Astronomy Consortium. Chaired by Dr. Ariana Huberman, a Penfield Fellow, the Spanish Major applies courses like Iberian Culture with a Spain Semester and thesis research in the Center for Latin American Studies for La Casa Hispánica residents. Partnered with Bryn Mawr, the Geology Major provides two Geoarchaeology or Geochemistry tracks of 13 courses with access to the Rock Magnetics Lab’s Vaux Mineral Collection for senior projects. The Psychology Major spans 32 Tri-Co credits total, including Cognition and Experimental Methods, with the on-campus Koshland Integrated Sciences Center Summer Scholars internship.
Other options are the Anthropology Major, Classical Languages Major, Computer Science Major, Economics Major, Environmental Studies Major, Francophone Studies Major, History Major, Music Major, Political Science Major, Religion Major, and Sociology Major.
About Haverford College
Haverford College originated in 1833 when Orthodox Quakers at the Philadelphia Yearling Meeting of the Friends Church decided to open the all-male Haverford School for pupils as young as 12. That Fall, Founders Hall was designed to start today’s 216-acre, 50-building campus in Lower Merion Township. Briefly closed down in 1846, it was donated $70,000 to reopen two years later on a non-denominational status. By 1856, the Pennsylvania General Assembly chartered it for post-secondary degrees as Haverford College. In 1885, it formed a strong relationship to Bryn Mawr College founded by Dr. Joseph Wright Taylor. Accredited in 1921, Haverford College didn’t become fully coeducational for women until 1980. In 1989, Haverford graduated Alexander Karp, the future billionaire CEO of Palantir Technologies. Endowed for $528 million, Haverford now enrolls 1,353 Fords, including 38 Fulbright Scholars, from 24 nations in one-of-a-kind schooling with 140+ clubs like Greasepaint Productions. The U.S. News & World Report ranked Haverford 22nd for undergraduate teaching and 15th for value. On The Princeton Review, Haverford has the 16th best financial aid and 19th most studious students.
Haverford College Accreditation Details
On November 19, 2015, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) Board of Trustees accepted the Fifth-Year Periodic Review Report from Haverford College to continue Level II accreditation successfully through 2020 under its 16th president, Dr. Wendy Raymond, who received the Davis Center Faculty Member of the Year Award twice. Located seven miles away via Lancaster Avenue in Philadelphia, this esteemed eight-territory Northeast Region accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Education Department and Pennsylvania Department of Education. Particularly, Haverford has one of the Keystone State’s 63 majors certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS). The 3+2 Master of City Planning program with the University of Pennsylvania is accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board (PAB). The 3+2 Bachelor of Engineering program with CalTech is approved by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) too.
Haverford College Application Requirements
Getting into Haverford College is labeled “most difficult” by Peterson’s because just 884 of the 4,408 Fall 2017 applicants were successful for competitive 20 percent acceptance. First-year Fords must have consistently high levels of scholarship during a rigorous high school curriculum. Four years of both English and Math are preferred. Credits for AP exams require marks of “4” or better. Nearly all freshmen ranked in the top 20th percentile of their classes. On average, undergrads present a 4.05 unweighted GPA. Median testing ranges were 670 to 750 on SAT Reading and 690 to 780 on SAT Math. Most achieve ACT composite scores of 30 to 36. Please note SAT subject tests and writing sections aren’t accepted. Non-native English speakers must reach the 7.0 IELTS or 100 TOEFL iBT mark. Current undergrads can transfer after one year full-time at regionally accredited colleges with GPAs above 3.0. Four semester credits graded “C” or greater would equal one Haverford credit. GPAs of at least 3.3 are needed for 3+2 dual programs at Penn, CalTech, and Swarthmore.
Haverford College published a November 15th Early Decision I, January 1st Early Decision II, and January 15th Regular Decision deadline for freshmen. Transfers only apply for Fall admission until March 31st. Candidate’s reply dates are currently December 31st, March 1st, and May 1st. Thus, complete the Common Application, Questbridge Application, or Coalition Application online early for $65 (unless waived). Schedule the recommended interview before January 15th. Schools mail official transcripts directly to 370 Lancaster Avenue in Haverford, PA 19041. Test scores can be scanned or sent via ACT code 3590 and SAT code 2289. Other checklist items include the counselor report, two teacher evaluations, art portfolio, Honor Code essay, school profile, and immunization record. Please pose further questions to (610) 896-1350 or [email protected].
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2018-19, Haverford College charged full-time undergrads $27,050 per semester or $54,100 annually. Bachelor’s majors paid a $492 student activity fee each year. Freshmen have a one-time $246 orientation fee. If chosen, health insurance requires a $1,782 premium yearly. Living at the Lower Merion Township campus’ dorms like Barclay Hall adds $9,428 every nine months. Standard meal plans for The Coop are $6,974 extra. Haverford budgets $1,194 for textbooks and $1,468 for miscellaneous expenses. Annual attendance equals approximately $73,902 on-site and $57,500 with parents. The 3+2 CalTech Engineering option has a $52,506 yearly price. University of Pennsylvania dual programs have Ivy League tuition of $55,584 by year.
According to the NCES College Navigator, the Financial Aid Office at Whitehead Campus Center helps 49 percent of Haverford Fords reap median assistance of $46,060 for $28.41 million combined. The Dean’s Office lists funds like the Winston Churchill Fellowship, Marshall Scholarship, Senator George Mitchell Scholarship, Luce Scholarship, Mica & Ahmet Ertegun Scholarship, Barbara Jordan Health Policy Scholarship, Thomas J. Watson Fellowship, Truman Scholarship, Clementine Cope Fellowship, Rhodes Scholarship, and Augustus Taber Murray Research Fellowship. The Haverford Student Loan Debt Relief Fund ensures no Direct Loan borrowing for families making under $60,000. Completing FAFSA forms coded 003274 judges Federal Pell Grant, SEOG Grant, or TEACH Grant qualifications. The Part-Time Job Board lists current openings for student employment worth $2,500 to $3,500 yearly. Over 200 Philadelphia Foundation awards, such as the Mervyn Sluizer Scholarship, and Walter Thackray Memorial Scholarship, are available. The Pennsylvania State Grant also has a May 1st deadline for up to $3,772 per year.
Search through the 30 academic departments offering accredited, inquiry-based Haverford College degrees now.