Why Choose Earlham

Earlham College

801 National Road West
Richmond, Indiana
47374-4095

For more information call:
1-800-EARLHAM
1-800-327-5426

Questions For Parents


In what ways can parents be helpful to their student in the college search process?

Earlham is pleased that parents choose to actively engage with their son’s or daughter’s college search.  Allowing them to “drive” the process is important.  Parents can be excellent sounding boards and sources of encouragement and support.  Offer your opinions when they are sought and help provide the opportunities for your child to fully explore their options. 

If I come for a campus visit with my son or daughter, are there scheduled activities for me beyond a tour of campus?

If you visit with your child during one of our special preview or visit days, there are scheduled panels for parents with current students, teaching faculty and student resource administrators.  We find that parents gain more from their exposure to these groups and panel presentations than they do attending a class.  On these days our financial aid office has open office hours and members of the financial aid staff are happy to meet with you about your specific questions.  You can also ask to meet with your son or daughter’s admissions counselor. 

During an individual visit, parents usually meet with the admission counselor who conducts the interview with their student.  We will try our best to accommodate any special meetings you would like to schedule the financial aid office or student resource areas.  Parents usually accompany their child and at least one current student to lunch if you are here during the day.

What is involved with orientation for new students?

New students arrive on campus about five days prior to the first day of classes.  During that time they participate in a number of activities, panels, and events (designed and led by current students and faculty) to help introduce them to both the academic and residential life of the College. 

Whether meeting and/ or dining with their academic advisers, gathering on their halls with other new students, exploring the city of Richmond through community service projects, learning about Earlham’s community code from student government representatives, or “getting connected” to the internet, students will easily make their transition to college.  There are activities planned for parents, too, during the first two days following a student’s arrival for orientation. 

A full schedule of New Student Orientation activities for both the student and her/his parents is provided during the summer prior to the students’ arrival on campus.

How are academic advisers assigned?

New students are assigned an academic adviser during the summer prior to their arrival for orientation.  Assignments are decided by the registrar and associate dean of students and are based on information provided by the student in the “Adviser Questionnaire” they received when they confirmed their intention to enroll at the College. 

Usually students are assigned an adviser who teaches in an academic area of interest.  Students can choose to keep their assigned adviser during their entire four-year career at the College.  Some students, upon declaring a major, will change advisers so that they are working with a faculty member from their major department.

What do students do with their Earlham degrees?

Earlham is committed to providing an exceptional education for its students and to preparing its graduates for success in all careers covering the full spectrum of human endeavor.  

Although the majority of Earlham students go right into the workforce upon graduation, within several years, many Earlham alumni are enrolled in graduate school programs. (Nearly 80% of Earlham students achieve graduate degrees in the fields of medicine, business, human services, research technology, teaching, politics, law, to name a few.) 

In addition to succeeding in their chosen careers, Earlham graduates are concerned leaders, involved citizens and caring parents, achieving their personal goals while working for the common good.

Read more about how Earlham’s Career Development Center helps students prepare for life after graduation…

Read more about What’s Excellent About Earlham…

What percentage of students live on campus?

Approximately 80% of Earlham students live on campus in residence halls and college owned houses.  Read more about Residence Life…

What is the alcohol policy?

Please read the College’s Alcohol Policy for full information.

Is there a smoking policy?

All campus buildings, including residence halls, are designated smoke-free. Smoking is also regulated outside.  Please read the Smoking Policy to learn more.

How safe is Earlham’s campus?

The mission of Earlham College Campus Safety and Security (Campus Security) is to provide a reasonably safe campus environment to further the educational goals of the College and its students. Only through collective community efforts can our mission be accomplished. Campus Security is committed to courtesy and excellence and is primarily a service-oriented department that protects lives, rights and property under the laws of the State of Indiana and Earlham College Community Principles and Practices.

Read more about Safety and Security …