Our primary consideration in the evaluation process is academic excellence. Haverford is interested in students who demonstrate ability and interest in achieving at the highest levels of scholarship and service; engaging deeply and substantively with the community; and growing both intellectually and personally. The rigor of the courses you’ve taken, your grades, and the consistency with which you’ve worked over four years gives us the clearest indication of how well you will do at Haverford. Standardized tests also play a role in helping us evaluate you in comparison to students taught in many different secondary schools. Recommendations, the form and content of your writing, your potential for contribution to the campus community, and your interview all help the Admission Committee draw fine distinctions among highly talented applicants.
Financial need does not influence our admission decision for U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
We use the Common Application plus a brief supplement as our sole application for admission. The application and supplement may be submitted online via the Common Application website.
If you'd like to use a paper application, you can download printable versions of Common Application forms at www.commonapp.org. You can find Financial Aid instructions, deadlines, and links to aid application forms on our Financial Aid website.
Postmark your application by Jan.15. You'll receive our decision in early April. If you're admitted, you'll need to reply to our offer by May 1. If you wish to remain on another school's waitlist after May 1, let us know, and we can extend your deadline.
This is a good option only for those who have decided early in the college search process that Haverford is their clear first choice. As an Early Decision applicant, you agree not to be an ED candidate at any other college. You also agree, if admitted, to withdraw your Regular Decision applications from other colleges and to enroll at Haverford. Early Decision applications should be postmarked by Nov.15, and we mail our application decisions by December 15.
ED applicants may be admitted, deferred for reconsideration with the Regular Decision pool, or denied admission.
If admitted through the Early Decision or Regular Decision process, you may request to defer your enrollment for one year provided you make that request by May 1. During your gap year, you may not enroll as a degree-seeking student at any other institution or apply to any other colleges.
To request a deferral, contact Jess Lord, Dean of Admission and Financial Aid
If you want to enroll at Haverford after completing your junior year of high school, you may apply to do so through the Regular Decision process (Early Decision application is not allowed). You must include a letter with your application detailing your reasons for choosing this option. You are also required to have an interview with a member of our Admission staff.
If you plan to apply to Haverford as a Transfer student (offered for fall entry only), please print, complete, and mail the appropriate application:
Transfer applications should be postmarked by March 31. You'll receive our decision by May 15.
If you plan to apply to Haverford as a full-time Guest student for a semester or an entire year, or take an occasional class or two as a Special student, you must use a different application for admission.
We recommend that all applicants schedule an interview prior to applying. Interviews are generally available beginning in the spring of your junior year through early January of your senior year. See "Visiting: Interviews" to learn more about Interviewing at Haverford or a city near you.
There are two standardized testing options for students applying to Haverford. The first is to submit the results of the three-part SAT Critical Reasoning Test and two SAT Subject Tests (in any two subjects). The other is to submit the results of the ACT with the optional writing test. Please plan to take the tests at least one month prior to the application deadlines. You may register online at:
Students whose first language is not English and who have never attended a school where English is the primary language of instruction must also take the TOEFL or IELTS. Haverford requires a minimum score of 100 on the internet-based TOEFL or 7 on the IELTS.
Transfer applicants are not required to submit SAT Subject Tests, but are encouraged to do so if they have already taken them.
If you've taken International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, international exams (such as A-levels), or college courses during secondary school, we view this as significant evidence of your academic accomplishment and preparation. If you have taken courses at a college or university, please have a transcript sent directly from the school to our office.
