Haverford College, located in Haverford, PA, is a small liberal arts college that was founded by the Quakers (and is still very influenced by their philosophies, despite being secular today). Compared to many other similar liberal arts schools, Haverford definitely has more of a STEM bend, and even offers a Bachelor of Science degree.
If you’re here, you’re thinking about adding Haverford to your transfer college list. First of all, Haverford is hard to get into – they tout around an 18% acceptance rate for first years. Here’s the kicker though: their transfer acceptance rate last cycle was 14%. That means 180 students applied to transfer, and only 26 got in. That tells us that people like Haverford – few people leave, which means less spots for you. We get why you want to go there!!
Now don’t be discouraged by the stats – transferring isn’t impossible. We’re going to dive into everything you need to know (and do) to submit a compelling application.
Haverford’s Requirements
Haverford has one main requirement for eligibility: you must have 1 year of full-time college under your belt by the time you enroll.
Here’s what else they require:
Transfer Common Application
Essays (more on this later)
Official high school and college transcripts
Recommendation letters
Transfer college report (a Dean or advisor has to fill this out)
Transfer mid-term report for your in-progress grades
Test scores (optional)
More on their requirements and process for transfer applicants here.
Pick the Right Classes
Let’s say you’re choosing Haverford for economics. Then you need to align your class choices with that objective. Going heavy on courses that don't sync with the economics narrative won't do you any favors, unless they're those obligatory ones from your current school.
Don't underestimate the importance of core classes – they're a necessary part of the puzzle. Transferring, especially to Haverford, is a bit of a puzzle itself, and success isn't guaranteed. So, make sure you don't skimp on the classes crucial for graduation.
Ensure your classes contribute to the unique niche you're carving out. If your interest is in economic policy, diving into intro to finance isn’t going to send the right message.
Get Really Good Grades
Haverford doesn’t explicitly say “get all As,” but we’re telling you, you should get all As. In our experience, the majority of accepted students tend to flaunt GPAs exceeding 3.5, emphasizing that achieving outstanding (borderline perfect) grades is pivotal for the most competitive application possible. We mean, there’s no way to show you’d be a great student by being a great student already.
Also, unless absolutely unavoidable, bypass courses that proved too challenging in high school. If you’re an econ hopeful, why are you trying to load up on another round of chemistry? If you didn’t do well the first time in AP Chem, then a much harder college class isn’t going to do you any favors GPA-wise. Plus it won’t even help your whole story thing you’re trying to tell them!
Don’t forget office hours. Getting to know your professors can really boost your grades and come in super handy when you need those recommendation letters down the line.
Develop Your Niche
Securing your spot at Haverford for an economics degree is more than just picking the right classes; it's about showing depth in your chosen major. Prove to them that your interest is more than a declaration – you've actively immersed yourself in it. Sticking with the economics theme, think about diving into the campus economics journal, joining (or starting) economic organizations, contributing to the student paper on economic topics, securing an internship linked to economics, or diving into research with an economics professor.
We’re not just trying to fluff your application up, either; connecting with your current school is key. It not only adds a unique touch but also creates a safety net of community support in case your transfer plans hit a snag.
Write Good Essays
Haverford has 2 questions, which are both kinda why essays with different ending goals:
1) Please provide a statement that addresses your reasons for transferring and the objectives you hope to achieve.
NUMBER ONE RULE: Don’t bash your current school. They want to hear the positive things that are leading you to Haverford, not the negative things that are making you leave. The second why question Haverford asks is where you’re going to put your specific things like professors and classes. This is where you’ll want to talk about the other things that draw you to Haverford, like small class sizes, culture, etc. More on this prompt here.
2) A Haverford education is distinguished by the extraordinary trust placed in students, the emphasis on student agency in all facets of the academic and community experience, and the cultivation of ethical leadership. All of this is embodied in our faculty's approach to teaching and learning and in our student-run Honor Code. Please tell us what is motivating you to apply to Haverford; we are particularly interested to have your reflections on how you plan to approach your academic interests and engage with the community while at Haverford. (Maximum 400 words)
Go ahead and look up the Honor Code, they’re really proud of their Honor Code. You’ll probably want to weave in elements of the Honor Code into your essay here.
At the end of the day though, this is a Why essay. You’ll start with an origin story (why do you want to study what you want to study) and list some upper-level classes you want to take and explain why those will help you meet your goals. Next, choose a professor or two you want to research with and also, explain why. Finally, you’ll end with some mentions of extracurriculars and community you want to get involved in while at Haverford.
Good luck with your Haverford application and make sure to keep your grades up, get plugged into your community, and dive into your passions.
If you need help with your transfer applications, reach out to us today.