Haverford College: Haverford College is your classic, small liberal arts college. Set on a beautiful green campus in suburban Haverford, Pennsylvania, you will see students studying with their feet up in the library, playing cricket, and walking around the large pond avoiding the geese. If you are looking for a large institution, Haverford will not be your place, as there are only 1,200 undergraduate students, with an average class size of under 14. Historically, Haverford is a Quaker institution, and although no longer officially a Quaker school, they still follow much of the Quaker ideals of a community in many different ways. About 50% of the faculty lives on campus, who take seriously the importance of direct engagement with the students, and almost everything is student-centered. If students want something changed, they will take a vote, and the school will work with the students to make the changes a reality. It truly is a community that is consensus driven in all aspects of academics and student-life. There is also a school-wide honor code, which is embedded in the ideals of Trust, Concern, and Respect. The honor code is a part of everything at Haverford, including un-proctored exams, which can be taken at the students’ own time. What is most impressive is the passion from the students and how they all work together to achieve greatness. There is little competition, as students never discuss grades amongst each other. It is also very important to be social at Haverford, with balance of hard work and down-time at the utmost importance. If you are looking for a very small liberal arts college, where you cannot hide, will be forced to push yourself, and will need to work with others, check out Haverford, as it may be the place for you.
Percent admitted: 25% (50% of ED candidates are admitted)
Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1
Required: SAT test and two SAT subject tests, or ACT with writing
Middle 50%: Critical Reading: 650-750/ Math: 650-750/ Writing: 660-760 ACT: 30-33
Tuition plus R&B plus fees per year= $57,050
Percent of need met: 100% with average financial aid package of $38,054
Every senior will complete a thesis, regardless of major
Drexel University: Drexel is a private university that is largely a co-op school. This means that students will go to class full-time one semester, and then work full-time in a job related to their major. These mainly are paid jobs that provide students with excellent hands-on experience. Drexel is located in the heart of Philadelphia with nearly 14,000 undergraduate students. If you are looking for a green campus with lots of trees and ponds, Drexel is not your school, as you will certainly have the fast-paced feeling and busy atmosphere of a city going to school here. Drexel admissions warn that incoming students should be ready to work hard, as tons of information is jammed into tight schedules. Students should be bright and highly motivated to succeed at Drexel in many of their majors from engineering and business to interior design and education.
Percent admitted: 55%
Student-to-faculty ratio: 10:1
SAT is required, and if taking ACT, the writing test is optional
Middle 50%: Critical Reading: 540-640/ Math: 570-670/ Writing: 520-630/ ACT: 23-28
Tuition plus R&B plus fees per year= $53,200
Automatic $3,000 scholarship if parent went to Drexel and $3,000 scholarship is sibling has or currently is attended Drexel.
$1,000 scholarship is Drexel alum writes a recommendation for you
Average 6-month co-op salary is $16,000
