What's the Quaker Consortium?

Can someone explain what the Quaker Consortium is all about? I've heard it involves schools like University of Pennsylvania, Swarthmore, and others, but I'm not exactly sure how it works. Do they have a special relationship between the schools?

The Quaker Consortium is an agreement between four Philadelphia-area schools: University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), Swarthmore College, Haverford College, and Bryn Mawr College. These schools share Quaker roots, hence the name of the consortium. The main purpose of the consortium is to facilitate cross-registration and other academic collaboration between the member institutions.

Essentially, the Quaker Consortium allows enrolled undergraduate students from any of these four schools to take classes at the other three partner institutions without any additional fees. This provides students with a broader range of academic opportunities and access to specialized courses that may not be available at their home institution. The credits earned through cross-registration count towards your degree requirements at your home institution.

The process of cross-registering for a course at one of the partner schools is typically simple, although it may differ slightly among the schools. You would generally approach your academic advisor at your home institution to discuss your interest in a course at a partner school and get approval. Once you're approved, you'd then follow the cross-registration procedure as laid out by your home institution and the host institution.

Moreover, the Quaker Consortium can provide you with valuable enrichment opportunities beyond academics. Participating in classes at other schools can help you build relationships with peers and faculty from different communities, foster interdisciplinary learning, and expose you to different teaching styles.

Nevertheless, it's essential to remember that the consortium is designed to complement your education at your home institution, so you should still focus on primarily fulfilling your degree requirements with courses offered at your own school. Cross-registering should be used to enhance your educational experience rather than relying heavily on the partner schools.