The newest members of the Haverford community have arrived! Last week, the 399 students comprising the Class of 2029, along with transfer students, moved into their dorms, dove headlong into Customs—the College’s hallmark orientation program—and capped off their first day of classes with a new tradition: Convocation.
On Move-In Day, families and friends were tasked with hauling boxes and bedding across campus as our newest Fords settled into their new homes away from home. Then came Customs, a weeklong introduction to academic and community life at Haverford, led by student leaders who guided them through activities, conversations, and excursions designed to foster connection and belonging. Customs ended with the ever-popular—and just as lively—Dorm Olympics. When the dust settled, Team Blue Duck Pond claimed the coveted victory and year-long bragging rights.
Convocation in Marshall Auditorium formally marked the beginning of the academic year. President Wendy Raymond addressed the class, reminding them that Haverford is a place where curiosity drives discovery: “Studying will mean unleashing your intellectual curiosity in order to compose questions, learn different ways to seek answers, and apply new knowledge in service of making the world a better place,” she told the class. After the ceremony, students and their families gathered for an ice cream social on Founders Green, a sweet start to their Haverford journey.
The Class of 2029 is as accomplished as it is diverse. Chosen from 6,730 applicants, with an admit rate of just 13.3%, this group brings both intellectual distinction and a wide range of experiences. Nearly 94% graduated in the top 10% of their high school classes, and among those who submitted standardized testing, scores clustered in the very top percentiles. But numbers tell only part of the story.
Students in this year’s class come to Haverford from 37 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, and 21 countries, stretching from Afghanistan and Ethiopia to Spain, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. Pennsylvania, New York, California, New Jersey, and Massachusetts are the most-represented states, but the class is truly global in scope. More than half identify as students of color, a third speak a language other than English at home, and nearly 15% are the first in their families to attend college. The group also includes 20 QuestBridge matches, underscoring Haverford’s commitment to access and opportunity.
“Every year, it is such a pleasure and a privilege to get to know the incoming class through the application process,” says Vice President and Dean of Admission and Financial Aid Jess Lord. “The Class of 2029 made an incredibly strong impression on us with their character, intellect, will, and compassion. I am so excited to see the mark they make on Haverford.”
Welcome to Haverford, Class of 2029!
