Thoughts on Davidson?

[Anonymous]

DD is interested in Davidson but has some concerns. On the one hand, it appeals to her as a small, SLAC with a strong honor code and tight community (much in the way that Haverford appeals to her)--plus she likes the idea of NC weather. On the other hand, it seems like a LOT of kids--especially women--are in the greek system (over 50%?). She is not a party girl and is concerned if there is a dominant frat culture.

Any insights would be helpful. Also, assuming it's hard to get into these days (as all of these types of schools are) but insights into ED/ED2? I don't really know anyone from this area whose kids looked at this school (but we are in a public school so maybe that's why...very few kids go to SLACs other than a few to places like W&M, Oxy...)

[Anonymous]

Seems a bit unusual for one to be interested in both Haverford & Davidson even though Davidson is an overlap school with Haverford. The excessive focus on political correctness at Haverford suggests that Oberlin or Wesleyan might be better matches.

Davidson College is more in line with its overlap schools: Wash & Lee, Williams, Bowdoin, Rhodes, & Duke. (Other overlaps are Swarthmore, Amherst, & Middlebury).

Davidson is big on Greek life and eating houses.

[Anonymous]

It is? Ugh. Didn’t know that

[Anonymous]

https://www.davidson.edu/offices-and-services/student-activities/student-organizations/fraternity-sorority-life-patterson-court-council

That’s said I don’t think it’s a very “fratty” culture. My kids were very interested but in the end didn’t apply. Would’ve had to do ED to have a chance. We did visit and loved it.

[Anonymous]

And I have to add these kids who are afraid of Greek culture really need to keep an open mind. There are houses for everyone including those girls who are not big party kids.

[Anonymous]

Haverford and Davidson is a weird overlap. Haverford is a very traditional SLAC and Davidson has pre-professional vide. The most popular majors at Davidson are Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Poly Sci, and Biology. I.e. the slac equivalents of business, prelaw and premed.

[Anonymous]

I applied to Haverford back in the day and was repelled back then by what I perceived as a Greek/fratty/preppy vibe at Davidson. I don’t doubt it is less Greek than other schools, but it was more Greek than anywhere else I considered. That said, every school has many different types of kids and it’s easy to overstate the differences.

[Anonymous]

Greek life at Davidson is nothing like Big 10 or SEC. That should not be a concern. Plenty of kids in any sorority at a highly competitive college don’t party.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Haverford and Davidson is a weird overlap. Haverford is a very traditional SLAC and Davidson has pre-professional vide. The most popular majors at Davidson are Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Poly Sci, and Biology. I.e. the slac equivalents of business, prelaw and premed.

Biology and Econ are two of the most popular majors at Haverford too (lots of pre-med students...I think most of the econ majors don't necessarily have MBAs on their minds but do end up choosing econ major as a precusor to grad school in policy or law).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Greek life at Davidson is nothing like Big 10 or SEC. That should not be a concern. Plenty of kids in any sorority at a highly competitive college don’t party.

OP here--this is the type of information that is helpful. If the greek life is more inclusive/laid back, then it is less of a concern. DD is trying to avoid the more stereotypical scenario (particularly of southern schools' greek life) where girls need to have 20 formal dresses and letters of recommendation from "legacies" to get into a sorority...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I applied to Haverford back in the day and was repelled back then by what I perceived as a Greek/fratty/preppy vibe at Davidson. I don’t doubt it is less Greek than other schools, but it was more Greek than anywhere else I considered. That said, every school has many different types of kids and it’s easy to overstate the differences.

Also easy to understate the differences between two schools--especially with respect to LACs--which are small communities with a dominant personality. Don't fit in with the dominant personality, then options become limited and a small school becomes much smaller. Fit is very important at LACs.

[Anonymous]

My sporty, preppy, party-going, pre-professional son is highly interested in Davidson. (That was a mouthful but it describes him well.)
He has zero interest in most other SLACs---would not be caught dead at Haverford (aunt went there). Other interests are Richmond, WF, UVA (plus safeties).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Greek life at Davidson is nothing like Big 10 or SEC. That should not be a concern. Plenty of kids in any sorority at a highly competitive college don’t party.

OP here--this is the type of information that is helpful. If the greek life is more inclusive/laid back, then it is less of a concern. DD is trying to avoid the more stereotypical scenario (particularly of southern schools' greek life) where girls need to have 20 formal dresses and letters of recommendation from "legacies" to get into a sorority...

Be sure to check out the percentage of students affiliated with sororities at each school of interest. Only about 17% at UNC-Chapel Hill, 33% at U Georgia, 51% at Davidson College, zero% at Bowdoin College & at Haverford.

[Anonymous]

My nephew is it Davidson and is not in a frat and is perfectly happy and has lots of friends.

There aren’t sororities at Davidson, or at least not many. There are eating houses. The rush process isn’t really a rush - I think everyone is guaranteed a spot at at least one.

I think it’s a nice school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And I have to add these kids who are afraid of Greek culture really need to keep an open mind. There are houses for everyone including those girls who are not big party kids.

I think the parents are more afraid than the kids 😉