Earlham College
Reviews

Acceptance All Around

Diversity and acceptance are very high here. There are people from all over the world and from all different types of backgrounds. Lots of east coast hipsters, but also lots of down-to-earth, friendly, active, smart, and normal people. There is a lot of tolerance here for racial and sexual diversity and a lot of conversations revolve around how to extend the accepting Earlham community into the larger community.

No Greek System

There's no Greek system at Earlham, which is both a positive and a negative.

Pretty Good

There's a lot of cool off-campus housing deals. You can get a group of friends together to get a Friendship House, and it doesn't cost anything extra. You can also choose to live in a theme house, and its rent is included in your room and board fees, so it too doesn't cost anything extra. Friendship Houses are great and a lot of fun. Take advantage of them. All houses are pretty close to campus.

Love

Earlham is an amazing place because there are so many different people on the campus and we all get along. There are definitly different social groups on campus but people are really open and welcoming that it is easy to be a part of many different groups. Another preat part of Earlham are the professors. They are encouraging, always available, enjoy talking to student outside of class and they are always focused on getting to know every student.

Safe

I have never felt unsafe on Earlham's Campus. People are respectful and trusting so some people don't even lock their dorm rooms and there usually aren't any problems with theft. Campus Security and the Richmond Police will bust parties if there are noise complaints but they usually just come and break things up.

Know your department

The thing to remember about academics at Earlham is that strength varies widely by department. It's true, as the other reviews say, that uniformly the professors are caring and involved, but that doesn't mean that every program is outstanding. Biology and Japanese Studies are both nationally recognized, and degrees from Earlham in these fields carry weight. The English department is also very good, but perhaps not as well known. Other departments are hit and miss. The classics department is well meaning and entertaining but consists of 2 (two) professors. It is possible to major in Art History, but the program isn't very fleshed out. Earlham's Peace and Global Studies major is also known, but more the fact that it exists at all rather than for it having any particular strength.

Earlham Computers

The computers at Earlham are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week, and thats one of the reasons why I like it there. The availability of resources are a wide-ranged.

Earlham is such a tight-knit...

Earlham is such a tight-knit community that it's hard not to feel safe, but the flip-side of that is that many, particularly those who are new to the community, can find it too easy to let their guard down. Just because it feels like one big family doesn't mean not to lock your doors - it's not often, but laptops and other valuables do disappear from time to time. In combination with the very close social groups, the "family feeling" can also mean that Earlham can seem like a very hostile place for those who experience sexual abuse in particular, and the silencing effect is fairly profound.

I miss the Earlham standards for...

I miss the Earlham standards for attractiveness (and indiscriminate cuddling)! There was just something really refreshing about being somewhere where superficiality was overtly frowned upon. The editorial is dead on --- before leaving Earlham, I lived mostly in blissful ignorance of otherwise common practices, such as women wearing a ton of makeup on a daily basis, bleaching/highlighting their hair, and getting manicures and trendy hairstyles. At Earlham, you are much more likely to see women who never cut their hair (or had a friend do it), only dye it if it's going to be an exciting color, only wear makeup if they feel like it, and don't shave. The men, on the other hand, often wear the same clothes for days on end. Hygiene is not always a given for people of either sex. However, many of these offbeat, unshowered folk are some of the most intriguing, intelligent, and attractive people you'll be lucky enough to meet (including a lot of very attractive lesbians). Just make sure to keep your wits about you, since like anywhere else, sexual violence can happen, and common-sense precautions are always essential.

I loved my professors, period. By...

I loved my professors, period. By and large they comprise the most brilliant (and hilarious) people I have ever met. In my best classes, professors and students explored complex concepts with insight, humor, and the sheer delight of learning (and interrogating) some really amazing material. Generally speaking, I would not trade my Earlham classes or profs for any others - period. Word to the wise - don't pass up the SoAn department if you don't happen to be a major. You won't regret it.

I love Earlham. After struggling...

I love Earlham. After struggling for almost two years in my college search, it feels great to be at a place where I feel at home and welcome. I have no desire to trade schools. Although Earlham is not perfect, and everyone has their own frustrations, it is a great place to get an education.

It’s an incredible bubble to be...

It’s an incredible bubble to be in, and it has helped me to see beyond all the lenses that are in front of me. I’m grateful for Earlham, and I’m ready to step out of the bubble and into the real world.

Earlham is a great experience if...

Earlham is a great experience if you make it one. You have to be willing to give up what you are used to. The size of it makes you work really hard to find things that you like and people that you want to spend time with. There are days, weeks sometimes, that you’ll be frustrated and want to go back to what you are used to. But the people are friendly, motivated, and excited about life. If you smile and go in with a good attitude, you’ll have a great time. You’ll start calling it the ‘Earlham bubble.’

Drug usage does exist at Earlham,...

Drug usage does exist at Earlham, and one need only walk through back campus to find this out. Nonetheless, students should not feel pressured to do drugs. You can easily meet and make friends with people who wish to be drug-free. It will be assumed that people are not averse to light drug use (marijuana, alcohol), so if you are, be sure to express your aversion assertively. People who do use drugs are often no less worthwhile (and certainly no less interesting) than people who don’t, so be open-minded.

I just transferred to Earlham this...

I just transferred to Earlham this semester and actually didn’t go to very many parties. This question also majorly depends on one’s idea of a good time. I guess I should say that, for me, the further from a frat-like experience, the better. For example, I went to one at La Casa Hispana, and people were actually dancing, and I can say that truly everyone seemed to be having a good time. It also depends on what your definition of party is—I went to a festival at the farm, which was awesome. There was bluegrass and dancing, and I thought it was fantastic. I’ve also been to some really fun smaller gatherings at some houses. Yet, I’ve also been to some parties where if you just plunked me down there I could have been at any college in the United States, and I can’t tell you how fast I wanted to get out of there. I think parties at Earlham really run the gamut, yet on average, they are less frat-like and better than at other colleges.

We have lots of IM sports that...

We have lots of IM sports that have many willing and enthusiastic members. I am a varsity tennis player, and I absolutely love it. It is another way to get a close group of friends.

Well, first off, the most common...

Well, first off, the most common complaint about the heterosexual dating scene is that the campus breaks down into about 60 percent women and 40 percent men, which makes for some very frustrated straight/bi women and very happy straight/bi men. I don’t know too much about the homosexual dating scene, although I can only imagine that, with such a small student body to begin with, it’s probably frustrating.

The profs seem to fall into one of...

The profs seem to fall into one of two categories, save for a few exceptions: either they’re hip and young, or they’re old and stodgy. In either case, they seem to care about the students and their progress a lot. For the most part, they really try to make class enjoyable and engaging, but there are some exceptions to that, especially concerning religion classes. I find classes interesting, but I feel sometimes that they are less productive than they have the potential to be. Class serves more as a time to meet up and discuss assignments and mess around rather than do intensive learning (though, I take a lot of humanities classes).

In my short time at Earlham, I...

In my short time at Earlham, I have been able to look at Islam from the perspective of peace, look in depth at social deviance in our society, and discuss human nature and social change through the guise of religious philosophy. I never wanted to skip class, simply because I was afraid I would miss an incredible discussion or informative lecture.

One of the first things that...

One of the first things that helped me make my decision to come to Earlham after visiting was my interaction with the professors at the school. The professors I have encountered are all incredibly knowledgeable and, perhaps most importantly, approachable. I have no problem getting in contact with my professors for anything, whether related to the curriculum or not. Also, the class subjects are interesting and exciting.

I never met an Earlham professor...

I never met an Earlham professor that didn’t invite me into their office when I had a concern or question. Most of the professors that I had were down-to-earth and easy-going people. Even when I changed my major three times, I felt those transitions were smooth. Once I was able to move away from the gen eds, the selection of courses became more and more interesting.

The professors at Earlham are...

The professors at Earlham are among the best academicians anywhere. Not only do they have the necessary expertise, but they care about their students, how they are doing, and encourage them to become better thinkers and people.

Biology Department

The Biology department is rich in several ways. From the professors to students, everyone shows dedication to their jobs and the faculty do their jobs extremely well. The work load is challenging but that's just to prepare students for an economy and a society that is technologically growing. The premed department at Earlham is nationally ranked and that's why i chose Earlham.

Not Typical

Many girls do not shave their legs or armpits, and do not wear bras. I have seen breasts in class and at meals before, just hanging out of a shirt. Typical clothing is either hipster or hippie like. Many people don't wear shoes. Flowery dresses and tights are common on girls, and some men. I'm a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl, and I definitely feel in the minority. A friend of mine openly mocked a girl for wearing ugg boots and a pink sweatshirt from AE the other day, which in my opinion is a pretty normal thing to wear. Be ready to be guilted about your clothes being made in sweatshops and ruining the world.

Not the Best

I am in my second semester at Earlham College. I came hoping for small class sizes, and I liked the idea of the two types of classes which all Earlham students have to take, an Earlham Seminar and the Interpretive Practices class. However, my IP class which was supposed to focus on how to write an effective college paper did not do that, and there is no regular English 101 type class, which became overwhelming at times. Also, the IP class which is heavily discussion based was hardly handled well. Almost every day I felt attacked by the other students who did not like that I had a different view then all of them, and the professor never stepped in. Not only was I continually shot down, I was shot down with unfair argument points and non-sequiturs.

I also took a class on the History of Non-Violence that was laid out so poorly, hardly anyone came to class. So much reading was assigned that it was impossible to do, and the reading often seemed irrelevant to the class. Often it was about historical movements in countries that aren't generally covered in regular history classes, but no background information was given so it was nearly impossible to comprehend. The professor never seemed prepared to lecture, but discussion did not work because it had 45+ students.

I have had a good experience in my Calculus class. The professor is good and free tutoring is available.

The registration process was absolutely infuriating as a freshman. We did not register for classes until the day before they started. The advice I was given was pretty much to take what ever I wanted to. When second semester rolled around, online registration opened at mid-night, but many people didn't have appointments with their advisors until the next day and couldn't get into classes.

Because Earlham is so small there is a very limited amount of sections of classes, and what semester they are offered. Many people have to plan their entire study abroad program around whether or not they will be on campus for the one semester out of four that a particular course is offered.