haverford supplemental essays

Haverford College 2024-25 Supplemental Essay Guide

Early Decision: Nov 15

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 10

Haverford College 2024-25 Application Essay Question Explanations

Haverford College may be a tiny school, but its values are voluminous. In case you didn’t already know that Haverford is known for its Honor Code , admissions makes it abundantly clear in the epic introduction to this supplement. Our advice to you: read it very carefully so you can plan your essays strategically. Admissions is testing you in two ways, (1) to see if you’re dedicated enough to read with care, and (2) to see if you have the imagination to go beyond the information they have laid out. They know what you know (or at least what they expect you to know), so your job is to push the values of the Haverford community into uncharted territory and show admissions how they apply to your own life and ambitions. The stakes are extra high for originality and honesty so give yourself some time with this one.

The Requirements: Two essays of 150-200 words each

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why

We appreciate you taking the time to answer these Haverford specific questions and are excited for the opportunity to consider your application for admission. Good writing is a process, and there are many resources you might use as you craft your responses, including asking someone you trust to review your work and offer feedback or using generative artificial intelligence to brainstorm your response. But please know that what is most important to us is to hear your voice and ideas. Your voice matters to us, and hearing it in your writing will help us better understand who you are and imagine who you would be at Haverford.  

Haverford college has one of the oldest and one of the very few student-run honor codes in the u.s. our honor code is not a set of rules, but rather a statement of shared values around both the academic and social aspects of life and is centered on the concepts of trust, concern, and respect. our honor code serves as an educational tool in and of itself and provides a powerful framework for our community, emphasizing and supporting qualities we see as essential to a haverford education. among other things, the honor code at haverford supports:, academic freedom: the honor code fosters an atmosphere emphasizing academic integrity, collaboration over competition, and the cultivation of intellectual curiosity. differences and disagreement are respected, valued, and embraced, and open discourse is seen as fundamental to the academic endeavor., student agency: the honor code upholds a culture in which students are deeply trusted to take substantial ownership of their education and to profoundly shape and define the haverford community. student ownership is reflected in self-scheduled exams, in the fact that every student completes a senior thesis, in shared responsibility for the residential experience, and of course in oversight of the honor code itself., community: the honor code establishes a supportive environment for living and learning, where the community experience plays a central role in one’s education. the inherent value of every community member is recognized, and diversity in all respects – including diversity of background, experience, and perspective – is nurtured, celebrated, and embraced., leadership and engagement: the honor code allows every student to find and develop their own voice, to practice ways of improving community and acting on issues of importance, to learn methods of problem solving and conflict resolution, and to examine the ways they can and will impact the world beyond haverford., please give us a better sense of what you are looking for in your college experience by answering the following questions:, tell us about a topic or issue that sparks your curiosity and gets you intellectually excited. how do you hope to engage with this topic or issue at haverford please limit your response to 150-200 words..

Like many of the schools you’re applying to, Haverford wants to know why you’re interested in exploring your area of interest at their school. Start with the easy part: What do you love? What could you geek out about for hours? Keep in mind that something that gets you “intellectually excited” doesn’t have to be strictly academic. Maybe you’re fascinated by Foucault. Or maybe you’re intrigued by the evolution of modern cities and how infrastructure impacts culture (and vice versa). Both are totally valid! Follow your gut and focus on a subject that you could easily blather on about for hours. Then, connect your interest to Haverford’s offerings. Perhaps you hope to explore more of Foucalt’s ideas with other curious minds in Philosophy classes or you’re excited to major in Growth and Structure of Cities , which will set you up for a career in urban planning. Whatever your story is, make sure to do your research on the school’s website so you can cite specific courses, professors, and/or other Haverford resources that excite you.

We have highlighted for you some of the values that shape the Haverford community. What are some of the values you seek in your next community? How do Haverford’s values, as demonstrated through our Honor Code, resonate with you?

As you think about how to answer this question, you might draw from how you have been influenced by other communities you have been a part of, experiences you may have had within your communities, or opportunities you have had to shape or even change your communities.  please limit your response to 150-200 words..

This prompt is asking you to do some introspection about your own values and what you look for in a community. Start by doing some brainstorming: grab a notebook and list out all of the communities you belong to—your family, sports teams, extracurricular clubs, your cultural groups (e.g. race, religion), your gender identity, etc.—and then jot down the values you associate with each one. When you’re done, refer back to Haverford’s Honor Code and see where you can find connections. Another way to approach this prompt would be to write down Haverford’s values and free-associate; what personal experiences does this list bring up? For instance, when you think of academic freedom, maybe you think of your fiction writing class, where you can partner with classmates to explore anything your mind can conjure. Is it important for you to join a community that encourages collaboration and creativity? Once you have your brainstorming notes, think about what you envision for your college experience. Make sure to highlight specific stories for this prompt that offer admissions insight into the kinds of communities you’ve been a part of thus far, how they have shaped or influenced you, what you learned as a result, and finally, what that all means for your vision of community at Haverford. Details will make your answer stand out! 

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Application instructions.

Haverford seeks 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 can 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.

At Haverford, we accept the Common Application, Questbridge Application, or the Apply Coalition with Scoir in addition to a brief supplement. There is no preferred application. All application types are given equal consideration. Students should select the application type that is most convenient for their own process.

• Common Application
• Questbridge Application
• Apply Coalition with Scoir

Postmark your application by Jan.10. 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 I applications should be submitted by Nov.15, and you will be notified of our decision by December 15. Early Decision II applications must be submitted by January 5, and you will be notified of our decision by February 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 jlord [at] haverford.edu (subject: Deferred%20Enrollment) (Jess Lord) , Vice President and 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 any of our application processes. You must include a letter with your application detailing your reasons for leaving high school early. We also expect you to have an interview with a member of our Admission staff—either in person or via Zoom.

If you plan to apply to Haverford as a Transfer student (offered for fall entry only), please submit the Common Application, required writing supplement, and supporting credentials by March 31. You’ll receive our decision by May 15.

Transfer Student Instructions

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.

• Guest Student Application (full-time, non-degree-seeking, fall or spring)
• Special Student Application (part-time, non-degree-seeking, fall or spring)  

Guest & Special Student Instructions

We recommend that all applicants schedule an interview prior to applying. Interviews are evaluative - they help us in our aim of getting to know you as a whole person. Of course, Haverford interviews are also informational. We will always allow time for you to ask questions as well and hope that this exchange helps you to get to know Haverford better.

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.

Haverford’s admission process is test-optional - it is entirely your choice as the applicant whether or not to submit standardized test scores. If you feel that your test scores are a good or strong indicator of your academic performance and potential, then it might make sense to submit your test scores. If you choose not to submit your test scores, we won’t ask or wonder why! There is no negative impact on your application whichever choice you make. . Learn more about Haverford's test-optional policy.

If you do wish to send us your SAT and/or ACT scores, you may submit them as self-reported or official scores to us (we have no preference).

You can use any of the following options to submit your test scores:

• Enter your scores in the testing section of your application (Common Application, Coalition Application, or the QuestBridge application).
• Send a screenshot or scanned copy of your official score report(s) to admission [at] haverford.edu .
• Have them sent directly to us by the testing agency; Haverford’s testing codes are 2289 (SAT) and 3590 (ACT).
• Have your counselor or other school official provide a copy of your score report by email ( admission [at] haverford.edu ) or by fax (610-896-1338).

Please note that for students who choose to submit standardized test scores, official scores will be required after enrollment. Official scores will be verified and discrepancies between self-reported scores and official scores may jeopardize your enrollment at Haverford.

Students whose first language is not English, and who have never attended a secondary school where English is the primary language of instruction, must also take the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test. Haverford requires a minimum score of 100 on the internet-based TOEFL, 7 on the IELTS, or 130 on the Duolingo English Test. There is no preferred test. Students should take the exam that makes the most logistical sense for their personal circumstance.

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.

Typically applicants will have taken a rigorous college preparatory program that includes at least: four years of English, three years of mathematics, three years of one foreign language, three years of laboratory science, and three years of history or social studies. Personal interests dictate additional courses in foreign language, mathematics, science, social studies and history. Most candidates will have taken more than the minimum expectations, including honors, enriched, Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses, if offered. Most students admitted to Haverford will have a high-school diploma or GED, though exceptions to this requirement can be made.

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Haverford Supplemental Essay 2023-24

Haverford Supplemental Essays

Interested in applying to Haverford College ? Well, the Haverford supplemental essay is a crucial part of your overall application. As one best colleges in Pennsylvania , Haverford is a highly selective school. Admissions officers will use each Haverford essay to gain a deeper understanding of who you are, and how you’d be a good fit for Haverford. Therefore, it’s important that each Haverford supplemental essay stands out and communicates your unique voice. Indeed, the Haverford essay is the best opportunity you have to speak directly to admissions officers, so be sure to take them seriously! 

This guide will outline the 2023-24 Haverford essay prompts and provide specific guidance on how to write each Haverford supplemental essay. We’ll break down both of the Haverford College supplemental essays to help you understand each prompt better. While the Haverford admissions process may be intimidating, we’re here to help! Keep reading to learn how to write your best Haverford supplemental essay. 

Haverford College Admissions: Quick Facts

Haverford College Acceptance Rate: 14%– U.S. News ranks Haverford College as #21 among the best liberal arts schools in the nation. 

Haverford College Essay Requirements : 

• 2 (~150-200 word)  school-specific essays 

Haverford Application : Students can apply to Haverford via the Common App , Questbridge Application , or Apply Coalition with Scior . No matter the platform, all applicants must submit the writing supplement. 

Haverford Application Deadlines : 

• Early Decision: November 15
• Early Decision II: January 5
• Regular Decision: January 15

Haverford Essay Tip: Be sure to read through the full Haverford Honor Code before tackling the Haverford essay prompts. The Honor Code provides great insight into Haverford’s values and priorities. Referencing the Honor Code in your Haverford supplemental essay will show that you’ve done your research!

Please note that essay requirements are subject to change each admissions cycle, and portions of this article may have been written before the final publication of the most recent guidelines. For the most up-to-date information on essay requirements, check the university’s admissions website.

Does Haverford have supplemental essays?

Yes! There are two Haverford College supplemental essays students must complete. We will detail the Haverford essay prompts later in this guide. It’s important to note that supplemental essays help colleges determine if you would be a good fit for their campus. They also serve as an excellent opportunity for you to highlight your passions and goals. Each Haverford supplemental essay should complement your application and illuminate what drives your academic interests. Each Haverford essay is meant to add personality to your overall application, so carefully crafting your Haverford supplemental essay is key! 

How many essays does Haverford require?

There are two required Haverford essay prompts for prospective students. Each Haverford supplemental essay has a word limit of 150-200 words, so it’s important to be concise with your answers. The limited word count may lead you to believe it won’t take much time to complete your Haverford College supplemental essays. However, given the competitive Haverford acceptance rate, it’s important to give yourself plenty of time to write each Haverford supplemental essay. Your Haverford essay is the only opportunity you have to summarize your interests, which is invaluable information for admissions officers. Don’t wait until the last minute to complete your two required Haverford College supplemental essays – start early! 

Additionally, applicants will need to complete the personal statement on the application platform of their choice (Common Application or Coalition Application). The prompt you respond to will vary depending on the platform, however, keep in mind that this essay isn’t college-specific. Therefore, you may end up sending this same essay to various colleges–unlike the school-specific supplemental essays. 

Haverford Supplemental Essay #1

The first Haverford supplemental essay allows you to elaborate on your major of choice or a special interest that drives your curiosity: 

Haverford College Supplemental Essay Prompt #1

Tell us about a topic or issue that sparks your curiosity and gets you intellectually excited. how do you hope to engage with this topic or issue at haverford (please limit your response to 150-200 words.).

This Haverford essay allows admissions officers to better understand your intellectual interests and how you’ll utilize the resources at Haverford. One may consider this a “Why Haverford” essay, as the prompt wants to know how Haverford will help in your academic pursuits. Your Haverford College supplemental essays should illuminate your goals concerning Haverford–and this essay allows you to focus specifically on your academic interests. 

This Haverford supplemental essay allows you to reference Haverford’s values and priorities, as well as their expectations for their students.  As outlined in the Haverford Honor Code, each student must complete a Senior Thesis as part of their Haverford requirements. This Haverford essay can help you detail to admissions officers what you might write your Senior Thesis about, as well as help demonstrate your excitement to study at Haverford. 

Of both the Haverford essay prompts, this essay allows you to highlight specific classes, programs, and resources available to Haverford. As we’ll detail in the next section, it’s important to do your research before writing this Haverford supplemental essay. Keep reading to learn how to answer this Haverford essay! 

How to answer Haverford supplemental essays

Before writing this Haverford supplemental essay, be sure to conduct extensive research on Haverford’s programs and majors. You can read articles on Haverford from Forbes and the CollegeBoard , as well as explore Haverford’s website . The essay prompt wants you to detail a specific topic or issue, so it’s important to talk about more than just your intended major. 

If you have a major in mind, research the required classes at Haverford–this may help you narrow down which topics or issues you find most interesting. For example, if you plan to study biology, try to focus your essay on an even more specific topic. For example, you might write about genetics, anatomy, or animal conservation–whatever genuinely interests you and motivates your studies! Your Haverford essay will have a lot more personality if you detail your interest or experience with one issue, rather than why you’re generally interested in your major. 

Articulating your passion

Once you have your topic or issue, spend the first part of your Haverford supplemental essay explaining why you’re so passionate about it. For example, if you’re interested in studying genetics, really explain why. Did you attend a compelling class lecture or work on an intriguing project? Did you read an interesting book or essay, or watch an informative TV program? Try to pinpoint the exact point when you became interested, and detail this for the reader. 

After you’ve set the stage and detailed your topic or issue, mention 1-2 resources at Haverford that will help you pursue your interests. What classes are you looking forward to taking? Which professors do you want to work with? Are there special programs or research opportunities within your intended major? This can be a great time to mention the Senior Thesis and demonstrate that you’re familiar with the Haverford Honor Code!

As with both of the Haverford College supplemental essays, this prompt has a short word limit. You’ll have to comprehensively answer all parts of the prompt concisely. Starting your Haverford essay early will help you streamline your response, as you’ll have time to edit and perfect your answer. When it comes to responding to the Haverford essay prompts, it’s important to let your personality shine. 

Haverford College Honor Code Essay

The second Haverford supplemental essay is focused on the Haverford Honor Code, which can be found here . The prompt reads: 

Haverford College Honor College Essay Prompt

We have highlighted for you some of the values that shape the haverford community. what are some of the values you seek in your next community how do haverford’s values, as demonstrated through our honor code, resonate with you, as you think about how to answer this question, you might draw from how you have been influenced by other communities you have been a part of, experiences you may have had within your communities, or opportunities you have had to shape or even change your communities. (please limit your response to 150-200 words.).

The Haverford College Honor Code essay can be considered an extension of the first Haverford essay prompt Similarly, it reads as a “Why Haverford” essay. For students wondering how to get into Haverford, this essay can be a great place to demonstrate how well you’ll fit in on campus. Many colleges have this kind of cultural diversity essay, which is specific to their school and campus community. This Haverford supplemental essay aims to understand how you’d engage with your peers. 

This kind of “Why Haverford” essay allows you to get specific about how you envision your life on campus. The Haverford College Honor Code essay also allows you to provide more context to your background and the importance of community. This is great insight for Haverford admissions officers. 

Both of your Haverford College supplemental essays will help shape the admissions officer’s perception of who you are and what you value. If you’re feeling stuck, don’t worry! We’ll detail how to tackle the Haverford College Honor Code essay in the next section!

How to write Haverford supplemental essay

The Haverford College Honor Code essay is a great opportunity to explain how you connect with Haverford’s values and why you’d be a good fit for their campus. The first step in writing this Haverford supplemental essay is to read the Honor Code thoroughly. You can find the Honor Code directly above the writing supplement on Haverford’s website –so, you know it needs to be referenced in your essay! But, we’ve also written it below:  

Haverford College Honor Code

Academic freedom.

The Honor Code fosters an atmosphere emphasizing academic integrity, collaboration over competition, and the cultivation of intellectual curiosity. Differences and disagreements are respected, valued, and embraced, and open discourse is seen as fundamental to the academic endeavor.

Student Agency

The Honor Code upholds a culture in which students are deeply trusted to take substantial ownership of their education and to profoundly shape and define the Haverford community. Student ownership is reflected in self-scheduled exams, the fact that every student completes a Senior Thesis, shared responsibility for the residential experience, and, of course, in oversight of the Honor Code itself.

The Honor Code establishes a caring and collaborative environment for living and learning, where the community experience plays a central role in one’s education. The inherent value of every community member is recognized, and diversity in all respects—including diversity of background, experience, and perspective – is nurtured, celebrated, and embraced.

Leadership and Engagement

The Honor Code allows every student to find and develop their own voice, to practice ways of improving community and acting on issues of importance, to learn methods of problem-solving and conflict resolution, and to examine the ways they can and will impact the world beyond Haverford.

The Haverford College Honor Code essay wants you to connect personally with the Honor Code, detailing how you’ll embody these values once on campus. Read through the Honor Code and pick 1 or 2 values to focus on. For example, if you have a passion project you’re eager to work on, consider writing about Student Agency or Leadership and Engagement. By choosing something that connects your interests to the larger Haverford community, you’ll have a strong foundation for your Haverford supplemental essay. 

Out of the two Haverford essay prompts, this one is more community-focused. Community can mean many things so don’t feel limited. Think through the communities you’re a part of, such as your family, school, classes, and extracurricular activities. While this essay can be categorized as a cultural diversity essay, making it personal is important. The prompt wants you to detail what values you’re looking for in your next community, so it’s crucial to think through where you’re coming from. 

What do you appreciate about the communities that you’re a part of? Have you seen examples of your community coming together to help someone? Have you worked to improve your community in any way? Has a classmate, teacher, or mentor helped you in some way? Thinking of an example to highlight will help anchor your Haverford supplemental essay as well as make it feel more personal. 

Consider an example

Let’s look at a specific example. Sally wants to highlight Leadership and Engagement in her Haverford supplemental essay. She remembers she helped organize a school fundraiser. Sally can detail how her community united for the cause and how she hopes her Haverford community will display the same level of care and consideration. She can then discuss how she connects with the Leadership and Engagement value in the Honor Code, focusing on how her experiences reinforce Haverford’s commitment to the community. 

This prompt is similar to a “Why Haverford” essay as well. Therefore, be sure to draw clear connections between your experiences within the community and how you’ll find community at Haverford. Research different student clubs and organizations you’d join or discuss how you’ll build community within your major. As with both Haverford essay prompts, the word count is limited. Working to streamline your responses will ensure you answer all aspects of the prompt while showing off your personality and writing style!

Does Haverford care about essays?

While it’s hard to say exactly how the Haverford College supplemental essays factor into the admissions process, as a liberal arts school, it’s safe to say the essays are an important part of the application. Indeed, the focus on Haverford’s Honor Code and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in each Haverford essay prompt showcase how important the Haverford essay is. The Haverford essay prompts can help you understand what Haverford is looking for in its students: someone who is intellectually curious and committed to fostering community on campus. 

Your Haverford supplemental essays should work together to help demonstrate why you’re a good fit for Haverford. Your essays should strengthen your Haverford application and should aim to make a good impression on the admissions officers. While Haverford may not have a straightforward “Why Haverford” essay or cultural diversity essay, the Haverford essay prompts encourage you to focus on these themes. That being said, if you’re wondering how to get into Haverford, writing your best Haverford supplemental essay is a crucial step!

Additional information about Haverford College

Research is crucial to writing your Haverford College supplemental essays. So, we’ve compiled some resources to help you get started. The How to Get Into Haverford guide is a great resource to guide you as you complete all of the Haverford requirements to the best of your ability. 

We also recommend looking through the Haverford College blog . The blog is a great place to get inspiration for your Haverford supplemental essay as you can read about the events on campus. Getting a sense of Haverford’s campus life is a great way to learn about the Haverford student experience. 

Haverford College is one of the best liberal arts colleges in the United States and offers a unique educational environment. As a small, suburban school, Haverford may not be the best fit for every student. It’s important to understand why you’re interested in Haverford – and communicate that in your Haverford supplemental essay. Take a look at our guide on the best colleges in Pennsylvania to compare what Haverford has to offer. 

Researching Haverford’s academic programs is crucial in writing your Haverford essay, so be sure to read about your intended major thoroughly. With such small class sizes, Haverford’s educational environment is focused and personalized. Read what you can about interesting student projects, research, or the overall curriculum. 

Overall, your Haverford College supplemental essays will benefit greatly from the research you conduct. Try to cultivate a deep understanding of Haverford’s student life and academics. Through each essay, show how your experience will help you achieve your goals. Your Haverford essay should be focused and detailed. You can start your research well before your senior year, so don’t delay! 

Haverford Supplemental Essays: Final Takeaways

As part of your Haverford requirements, you will need to complete two mandatory supplemental essays. These Haverford College supplemental essays will help admissions officers understand your goals, motivations, and values. We’ve compiled five key takeaways for you to keep in mind as you begin to write each Haverford supplemental essay: 

Haverford College Supplemental Essay Takeaways

Research, research, research .

As we’ve outlined, Haverford has a unique educational structure and small class sizes. Communicating exactly why you think this would be a great fit for you is crucial to writing a stellar Haverford essay. Knowing why Haverford is the place for you comes from doing plenty of research. 

Be careful with your word count 

250 words go quickly, so you must use every word carefully. Set the stage for your essay within 1-2 sentences. Make sure you’re answering the prompt completely, while also providing enough details for the reader to understand your experiences. This can be super tricky, so starting early is key! 

Look at your essays from a bird’s eye view 

While you might write them separately, the admissions officers will read your essays together. It can be helpful to think of them as two parts to a single assignment. Make sure they complement each other well. 

Be specific 

If you want your Haverford essay to stand out, use specific details about your life and experiences. This will help them shine. No matter your intellectual interests, be prepared to dive deep into why they interest you–the more specific, the better! 

Edit and get feedback

Every great essay started as a first draft. You must build in enough time to edit and get feedback on your essays. This will ensure that you’re submitting the best versions possible. Ask teachers, mentors, or even family members to read over your essays. Carefully consider any feedback they have–sometimes another perspective is all we need! 

Admissions officers use the Haverford essay to gain a better sense of who you are as a person, so they should accurately present your unique personality. Your essays are an extremely important part of your application, so be sure to use them to show off the best parts of you! And, remember, if you need help, CollegeAdvisor offers personalized guidance on college essay writing.

This essay guide was written by senior advisor, Jess Klein . Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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August 1, 2024

Haverford College Supplemental Essay Prompts: 2024-2025

Haverford College has released its supplemental admissions essays for the 2024-2025 college admissions cycle. Applicants to the Haverford Class of 2029 will be asked to answer two essays besides The Common Application ’s Personal Statement. So what are the essay prompts for applicants to the Haverford Class of 2029 ? Wonder no more!

2024-2025 Haverford Essay Topics and Questions

Haverford’s admissions committee asks applicants to write 150-200 words for each of its two required supplemental essays. Haverford’s two supplemental essays for applicants to the Class of 2029 are as follows:

1. Tell us about a topic or issue that sparks your curiosity and gets you intellectually excited. How do you hope to engage with this topic or issue at Haverford?

This essay prompt is a hybrid as it asks students to write about a topic that excites them in addition to showcasing how they hope to engage with that topic at Haverford. So it’s a part why topic question and a part Why Haverford question. The issue an applicant chooses shouldn’t inspire a yawn.

For example, selecting climate change would not be a good choice since it’s a no-brainer — of course, climate change is bad. A better version for an environmental activist could be smellscapes — how various lands smell differently over the course of years due to changes to our climate. The very specific sniffer beats the more broad climate change activist.

The topic should also directly relate to a student’s hook so a student can effectively demonstrate how they’ll contribute their unique background — rather than well-roundedness — to the school’s community.

And then, of course, an applicant must transition to the Why Haverford component of the question. In this part of the response, a student should include specifics that only apply to Haverford. If an applicant can easily replace Haverford in a sentence with Williams, the sentence should be deleted. And applicants should strive to capture genuine, enduring specifics about a school. As such, name-dropping professors and listing classes don’t count.

2. We have highlighted for you some of the values that shape the Haverford community. What are some of the values you seek in your next community? How do Haverford’s values, as demonstrated through our Honor Code, resonate with you? As you think about how to answer this question, you might draw from how you have been influenced by other communities you have been a part of, experiences you may have had within your communities, or opportunities you have had to shape or even change your communities.

This broad essay prompt, in some variation, has long been a staple of the Haverford supplement. Haverford’s Honor Code, which the school considers to be a living, breathing document, has been in place at the institution for over 100 years, and they’re mighty proud of it — even publicly re-evaluating and reaffirming its content each academic year.

In the wake of the Supreme Court’s outlawing of Affirmative Action in late June 2023, this prompt now provides an opportunity — one afforded by Chief Justice John Roberts’ majority opinion in which he cited a loophole to the consideration of race in the admissions process — for students to write about their unique life experiences and perspectives.

Of course, Haverford applicants need not write about race in their answer. Community is a broad term. Maybe it’s a scientific community or a community of poets. Perhaps it’s a faith-based community. It could be anything, but what’s important is that an applicant’s response showcases intellectual curiosity and a desire to agitate for change from within, however small, to make our world a better one.

Ivy Coach’s Assistance with Haverford Essays

If you’re interested in giving yourself the best shot at admission to Haverford College by submitting compelling essays that inspire admissions officers to root for you, fill out Ivy Coach ’s consultation form , and we’ll be in touch to outline our college admissions counseling services for seniors.

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How to Ace the 2024-2025 Haverford College Supplemental Essay Prompts

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Haverford College is a private liberal arts college located in Haverford, Pennsylvania. The Haverford College supplemental essays offer applicants the opportunity to share. In this article, we are going to break down both of Haverford’s supplemental essay prompts to make them easier to understand. Let’s get started!

Before you start writing…

The Haverford information page  states that applicants are “treated personally and individually, with extraordinary care and attention to detail.” In other words, every part of your application, and perhaps especially your essays, is very important. 

We recommend looking over Haverford College’s Honor Code before you start writing your essays. The Honor Code is a statement of values shared by the academic community, so in order to get a better feel for the school and what kind of student they are looking for, familiarize yourself with this. Their Honor Code is comprised of four pillars:

• Academic Freedom
• Student Agency
• Leadership and Engagement

Tell us about a topic or issue that sparks your curiosity and gets you intellectually excited. How do you think the environment at Haverford and the framework of the Honor Code would foster your continued intellectual growth? (200 word limit)

Although there are most likely a lot of things that you are passionate about, it might be harder to consider what makes you intellectually excited. First, you have to choose one thing that gets you excited to learn, to work for, or to talk about. From there, go back to those Honor Codes and connect what you love to what Haverford students are passionate about. 

Next, think about how what you are passionate about will have the opportunity to flourish while attending Haverford College. Here, you can talk about all of the ways your experience can be enriched, how your passion will lead you through your college career, and how it can help you grow as a person and a member of the Haverford community. 

Questions to ask yourself:

• What are you passionate about?
• Is there a class in high school that makes you excited to come to school every day?
• Are you passionate about any environmental, social justice, or human rights issues?

We have highlighted for you some of the values that shape the Haverford community. What are some of the values you seek in your next community? How do Haverford’s values, as demonstrated through our Honor Code, resonate with you? As you think about how to answer this question, you might draw from how you have been influenced by other communities you have been a part of, experiences you may have had within your communities, or opportunities you have had to shape or even change your communities. (200 word limit)

This is another prompt that connects right back to the Honor Code. Think about what you value most and tie it back to how attending Haverford will help you honor and live up to those values. Be honest while explaining your motivation for applying. 

As for what excites you most, you can always connect this back to academics and community. If it’s too far in advance to know what you are most excited about, go for the academic route and talk about the opportunities that Haverford offers within your major, or professors that you are looking forward to working with. These are always great options.

• How has your family and/or community shaped your personal values?
• What specific experiences and opportunities shaped you into the student you are today?
• Did you choose Haverford because of their set of values?

Final thoughts for students

The Haverford College supplemental essays are an ideal way for the admissions team to learn more about you. As long as you are honest about why you chose your major and why Haverford is the best place for you, they will respect that. Although there is a pretty small word count, you can always go back to edit later. Write how you feel, and go back and edit for conciseness. 

Additional resources

At Scholarships360, we understand that the college application process is a stressful time for students. That is why we make it easier for you to break down things like college essays, scholarships, financial aid, and so much more. Check out our articles on how many colleges to apply to , and our tips for successful college applications to start. You can also read more about when you’ll hear back from schools and how to make your college choice .

Other colleges to consider

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How to Write the Haverford College 2024-2025 Supplemental Essays

Applying to Haverford College means embracing a unique community ethos driven by its storied Honor Code. Understanding and reflecting on this Honor Code in your supplemental essays can set you apart in the application process. This year, Haverford's supplemental essay prompt invites you to delve deep into your passions and values, illustrating how they align with the core principles upheld by the Haverford community.

The Prompts

The prompt for this year's Haverford College supplemental essay is as follows:

Tell us about a topic or issue that sparks your curiosity and gets you intellectually excited. How do you hope to engage with this topic or issue at Haverford? We have highlighted for you some of the values that shape the Haverford community. What are some of the values you seek in your next community? How do Haverford’s values, as demonstrated through our Honor Code, resonate with you? (200 words)

Approaching the Haverford Supplemental Essay

Understanding Haverford's unique values is crucial to crafting a compelling response. Start by internalizing the key components of the Honor Code mentioned in the prompt:

Academic Freedom: Where intellectual curiosity and collaboration thrive.

Student Agency: Fostering a culture of responsibility and leadership in shaping the community.

Community: Emphasizing mutual respect, diversity, and support.

Leadership and Engagement: Empowering students to develop their voice and impact the world.

The structure of your essay should reflect both your personal journey and how it ties to these values. Let’s break it down step by step:

Step 1: Identify Your Intellectual Passion

Firstly, reflect on a topic or issue that genuinely excites you. Why does it intrigue you? How have you engaged with it in the past? For example, if environmental sustainability is your passion, discuss your experiences, projects, or research that highlight this interest. Detailed storytelling can significantly enhance the reader's connection to your passion.

Step 2: Relate to Haverford's Values

Next, illustrate how your curiosity connects with Haverford's community values. If you’re passionate about environmental sustainability, align this with academic freedom and student agency : “Haverford’s emphasis on academic freedom and student agency provides the perfect environment to further my research in sustainable practices.” This proves you’ve done your homework and can foresee specific ways Haverford will support your academic endeavors.

Step 3: Reflect on Community Values

Lastly, emphasize the community aspect. Leverage your past experiences to draw parallels with Haverford's Honor Code values. For instance: “My time as president of the environmental club allowed me to foster a community committed to ecological preservation, similar to how Haverford values community support and diversity of thought.” This holistic view showcases your readiness to contribute to and grow within Haverford’s community.

Sups AI offers a valuable resource in refining your essays. Their platform provides personalized brainstorming sessions and detailed feedback. Additionally, you can connect with current Haverford students for insights into their experience, further enriching your understanding of how to craft your narrative authentically.

Final Thoughts

Nailing the Haverford supplemental essay means intertwining your intellectual journey with the college's core values and, in particular, its renowned Honor Code. Use specific examples to demonstrate your fit and think deeply about how you aim to contribute to and benefit from Haverford’s vibrant community.

Remember, Sups AI is here to assist every step of the way, from initial brainstorming to the final polish. Their proven success in helping over 10k students secure spots in top colleges ensures you’re in capable hands as you navigate this crucial part of your application.

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Haverford Supplemental Essays 2022-2023

By Eric Eng

When it comes to applying to the top schools in the country, your application is vitally important. In order to give yourself the best chance of gaining admission, you need to make sure all aspects of your application are top-notch. In this post, we’re going to do a deep dive into how to write Haverford supplemental essays and everything you need to keep in mind as you write.

Haverford uses the common app, and this means that you will be asked to answer essay questions contained in the common app . But like many top schools, Haverford also requires that you complete a short essay about the Haverford Honor Code as well as a short answer essay. The Haverford supplemental essays 2022-2023 allow applicants a certain amount of freedom when choosing their supplemental essay topic, but we’re going to look at each essay prompt and discuss the best way to respond to each topic.

So, let’s start by looking at each supplemental essay prompt, and then we will discuss how to approach each one individually.

When it comes to answering the Haverford supplemental essays 2022, there are some things to keep in mind. First, these essays are in addition to the personal statement found in the common app. Second, you will need to read the Haverford Honor Code in detail in order to answer the first essay prompt. Part of the reason why Haverford asks students a question based on the honor code is that they want to see how well you can read their document before responding to the essay prompt. Let’s look at the Haverford Honor Code and then we’ll discuss how to respond to the essay prompts.

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 student-run Honor Code. The Haverford Honor Code is not a set of rules, but rather a statement of shared values centered on the concepts of trust, concern, and respect. It serves as an educational tool in and of itself and provides a powerful framework for our community, emphasizing and supporting qualities we see as essential to a Haverford education. Among other things, the Honor Code at Haverford shapes:

• Academic Freedom: The Honor Code fosters an atmosphere emphasizing academic integrity, collaboration over competition, and the cultivation of intellectual curiosity. Differences and disagreements are respected, valued, and embraced, and open discourse is seen as fundamental to the academic endeavor.
• Student Agency: The Honor Code upholds a culture in which students are deeply trusted to take substantial ownership of their education and to profoundly shape and define the Haverford community. Student ownership is reflected in self-scheduled exams, in the fact that every student completes a Senior Thesis, in shared responsibility for the residential experience, and of course in oversight of the Honor Code itself.
• Community: The Honor Code establishes a supportive environment for living and learning, where community experience plays a central role in one’s education. The inherent value of every community member is recognized, and diversity in all respects – including diversity of background, experience, and perspective – is nurtured, celebrated, and embraced.
• Leadership and Engagement: The Honor Code allows every student to find and develop their own voice, to practice ways of improving community and acting on issues of importance, to learn methods of problem-solving and conflict resolution, and to examine the ways they can and will impact the world beyond Haverford.

Bowdoin Supplemental Essay Prompts 2022-2023

And here are the Haverford supplemental essays 2022-2023:

Tell us about a topic or issue that sparks your curiosity and gets you intellectually excited. How do you think the environment at Haverford, including the framework of the Honor Code, would foster your continued intellectual growth? Please limit your response to 250 words.

Please tell us what motivated you to apply to Haverford and what excites you most as you imagine your Haverford experience. Please limit your response to 150 words.

Keep in mind that the Haverford supplemental essay word limit is different for each prompt. The first essay should be no more than 250 words, while the short answer essay should be no more than 150 words.

How to write the Haverford supplemental essays?

Many applicants wonder how to write Haverford supplemental essays because they are somewhat different from essays required by other schools. But in reality, the first prompt is still simply asking you to reflect on your values and intellectual integrity. When responding to the first prompt, it is vitally important that you read the Haverford Honor Code in detail, so you understand their particular approach to academic and personal integrity. Once you’ve done that, it’s time to craft your response. Let’s look at the first prompt.

So, as you can see, there are two distinct parts to this essay prompt. The first part asks you to reflect on a topic or issue that you find exciting. This gives you a lot of leeways because you can write about almost anything as long as you can demonstrate enthusiasm.

Depending on your chosen topic, you may want to highlight different aspects of the honor code. The important thing, though, is that you refer directly to the honor code. While it speaks in somewhat vague terms, Haverford wants to see that you have a detailed understanding of their honor code, so make sure you reference it specifically.

You may choose the highlight the fact that Haverford gives students a great deal of freedom in regard to their studies and how their academic experience is structured. You might also talk about the fact that all Haverford seniors must submit a thesis prior to graduation.

Or you might choose to focus on the community aspect of the honor code. Are you excited to approach your field of study surrounded by a diverse group of students who will help you to see different perspectives? Regardless of which part of the honor code you choose to write about, the goal is to be as specific as possible while communicating your genuine passion for your topic.

This essay prompt is quite a bit more straightforward than the first prompt, but you will need to reflect on exactly why it is that you want to go to Haverford, specifically. Haverford is a very small school with a student body of around 1500, but unlike most small liberal arts schools, it’s also located just a short drive from Philadelphia. This provides students with a unique experience, and this may be an aspect of your second Haverford supplemental essay 2022.

You might also discuss the programs at Haverford and the fact that all of these programs culminate with a senior thesis. Regardless of your reasons for wanting to apply to Haverford, you need to make sure that you are as specific as possible. There are plenty of great small liberal arts colleges to choose from, so spend time reflecting on what makes Haverford stand out to you.

At AdmissionSight, our goal is to help you with every step of the college admissions process. The Haverford supplemental essays 2022 can seem daunting at first, but our experience and expertise will help you navigate the entire process with confidence. Hopefully, this guide to the Haverford supplemental essays 2022-2023 has been helpful, but if you want more information about how AdmissionSight can help you realize your dreams, set up your free consultation today.

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Colleges Without Supplemental Essays 2021-2022

We recommend that most students apply to 8-12 colleges —typically at least two safeties, four targets, and two reaches. This strategy boosts a student’s odds of getting into multiple schools, increases their options, and even offers leverage to negotiate for more financial aid. 

Unfortunately, applying to this many schools is time-intensive, especially considering that many schools require supplemental essays as part of their application. Applying to 10 colleges could mean that you need to write 10-20 extra essays! Luckily, there are many schools that don’t have any extra essays beyond the Common App essay or personal statement, if you’re looking for schools to balance out your list without the additional writing.

Below is a list of 45 liberal arts colleges and universities without essay supplements. The list isn’t comprehensive, but it covers a spectrum of schools of varied selectivity. The list does not include any schools with optional essays, which are something we always encourage applicants to complete. 

Top Liberal Arts Colleges Without a Supplemental Essay Requirement

Update: We removed Grinnell College and Colgate University from this list because they’ve historically sent optional supplements to students after they applied.

Top Research Universities Without a Supplemental Essay Requirement

Should You Only Apply to Schools With No Supplement?

Applying only to schools with no supplement would limit your options severely, so we don’t recommend it. That said, supplements can serve as a litmus test for how much you care about a particular college. If you’re really excited to attend a particular college, you’re more likely not to mind extra application work (after all, it’s a chance to show a college why they should accept you). Conversely, if you’re turned off by writing a supplemental essay, it could indicate that you’re not as excited about a school as you thought you were.

Some essay prompts also give you insight into the personality of a college. For example, the University of Chicago is known for its quirky essay prompts—the 2021-2022 supplement has applicants explore ideas like What if the moon were made of cheese? and What’s so easy about pie? If UChicago’s unorthodox essay prompts make you cringe, it’s a possible sign that the school’s culture isn’t right for you. If they excite and inspire you, you could be a perfect fit.

Overall, a college’s essay requirements should not be a major deciding factor as to whether or not you apply to a school (unless you’re truly short on time). What’s most important is whether or not you will fit with the school academically and socially . Consider things like:

• Do you match the stats for admitted students? 
• Does the school offer strong programs in your areas of interest? 
• Are there resources to support your unique values and pursuits outside of the classroom? 
• Is the school located somewhere desirable for you? 

What Are Your Chances of Acceptance at these Schools?

If you’re trying to round out your school list, it’s important to know whether a particular school is a reach, target, or safety. CollegeVine can help! Our free chancing engine considers factors such as your grades, test scores, and extracurricular activities to estimate your odds at hundreds of colleges across the country, along with providing tips to strengthen your profile.

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Eckerd College’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Common app personal essay.

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?