First-Year Students
Summer Opportunities
Please Note: Updated information for the Class of 2025 will be available in early June 2021. Orientation activities for most first year students are scheduled to begin on campus on Wednesday, August 25th, 2021, with move-in on or before that date. Some pre-orientations or athletic pre-seasons may begin earlier. Given our continued responsiveness to the COVID-19 pandemic, we ask that students and their friends or family not make travel arrangements until the fall semester dates are confirmed and recommend flexible/refundable travel plans at that time.
Purchasing Travel
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we encourage students to opt for flexible tickets when purchasing travel on airlines, trains, or buses so that you may make changes to the date and time of your trip before departure with no additional fees.
International Student Orientation is required for all international students. The Summer Social Justice Institute and PCOP are able to accommodate a limited number of students, who will be selected from among applicants. Please see further information on each program for the application process and deadline. Horizons is by invitation only.
International Student Orientation (ISO) (Required)
First-year and sophomore international students arriving on campus for the first time will participate in International Student Orientation (ISO). ISO participants include F-1 visa holders and U.S. citizens living abroad. ISO is independent of Customs Week and will not conflict with those events.
Students are strongly discouraged from making travel plans before they receive confirmation of ISO dates and before they receive approval for their F-1 visa.
ISO Program Dates: ISO is tentatively scheduled to start on Saturday, August 21, 2021. Confirmation of dates will be communicated directly to participants by the International Student Support Office.
Pre-Customs Outdoors Program (PCOP) (Optional)
The Pre-Customs Outdoors Program (PCOP) is a student-run outdoors orientation program that takes place the week before Customs, Haverford’s official orientation. This program provides incoming students with the opportunity to begin the transition into the Haverford community a bit earlier by making new friends before the official start of school, meeting current students, and having an all-around awesome time in the great outdoors. Even after the trip ends, the experience and friends gained during the trip will stay with you as you start your college journey.
PCOP Deadline: June 15, 2020
Summer Social Justice Institute (Optional)
The Summer Social Justice Institute (SSJI) is designed to create opportunities for students to explore critical questions about identity, as they build experience with the deep listening and storytelling skills. Applications are open to the entire incoming class.
Note: SSJI will be offered virtually Friday, August 19 through Sunday, August 21, 2020.
Summer Social Justice Institute Deadline: June 26, 2020
Haverford Horizons Leadership Institute (Invitation Only)
The Haverford Horizons Leadership Institute, or Horizons, is a leadership development program for students who have demonstrated leadership potential in high school. This invitation-only opportunity is designed for students who are first-generation, from under-represented backgrounds, and/or Questbridge scholars.
Haverford Horizons Leadership Institute Dates: August 25, 2020 - September 2, 2020
By invitation only. Horizons will be delivered virtually this year in order to accommodate students who are learning remotely and/or are unable to be on campus by August 25, 2020.