Thoughts on Davidson?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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...)

My daughter is currently a student at Davidson and she isn't what you'd call the sorority type. However, she did join an eating house with friends towards the end of her first year and loves it.

The so called Greek system for women really isn't like a typical sorority system. Davidson has eating houses for women starting 2nd year that are non-residential and self-selecting (meaning the applying student gets to choose and not members of the eating house). Roughly half of the women choose to be in an eating house while about 25% of men choose to be in a fraternity (frats do have rush unlike the eating houses). The eating houses and the few fraternities are single level buildings located together in a courtyard on campus (Patterson Court) that basically serve as dining halls and party spaces. The women eat lunch and dinner during the week (no weekend meals) and have social events at the eating houses. The food is usually an improvement on what is available at the main dining hall Commons (though there are particular meals at Commons that are quite popular with the students). There is no formal rush process. Women enter their preferences either individually or with a group of friends and then a computer program assigns them to an eating house. Friends often enter self-selection together as a group and groups will get assigned together so no one gets left out. Parties at Davidson are open to all students regardless of affiliation with the exception of formals and weekly house meetings. All students have to be on a minimum dining plan so on weekends students will eat at the primary dining hall Commons or one of the other dining options on campus at the Student Union, Summit Coffe or Qdobas. My daughter does eat at Commons during the week on occasion when she is meeting with friends/classmates who aren't members of her eating house or when Commons is serving one of her favorite meals. My daughter loves Davidson (and its phenomenal weather) and chose it over Middlebury and Wesleyan with absolutely no regrets.

In case anyone is curious what Commons is like, here's a fun student made video (including a cameo by a young Steph Curry): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGQID66agH4

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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 😉

I know lots of kids who express concerns about Greek life moreso than parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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...)

My daughter is currently a student at Davidson and she isn't what you'd call the sorority type. However, she did join an eating house with friends towards the end of her first year and loves it.

The so called Greek system for women really isn't like a typical sorority system. Davidson has eating houses for women starting 2nd year that are non-residential and self-selecting (meaning the applying student gets to choose and not members of the eating house). Roughly half of the women choose to be in an eating house while about 25% of men choose to be in a fraternity (frats do have rush unlike the eating houses). The eating houses and the few fraternities are single level buildings located together in a courtyard on campus (Patterson Court) that basically serve as dining halls and party spaces. The women eat lunch and dinner during the week (no weekend meals) and have social events at the eating houses. The food is usually an improvement on what is available at the main dining hall Commons (though there are particular meals at Commons that are quite popular with the students). There is no formal rush process. Women enter their preferences either individually or with a group of friends and then a computer program assigns them to an eating house. Friends often enter self-selection together as a group and groups will get assigned together so no one gets left out. Parties at Davidson are open to all students regardless of affiliation with the exception of formals and weekly house meetings. All students have to be on a minimum dining plan so on weekends students will eat at the primary dining hall Commons or one of the other dining options on campus at the Student Union, Summit Coffe or Qdobas. My daughter does eat at Commons during the week on occasion when she is meeting with friends/classmates who aren't members of her eating house or when Commons is serving one of her favorite meals. My daughter loves Davidson (and its phenomenal weather) and chose it over Middlebury and Wesleyan with absolutely no regrets.

In case anyone is curious what Commons is like, here's a fun student made video (including a cameo by a young Steph Curry): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGQID66agH4

Davidson's social scene seems pretty laid back but more lively than the one at Haverford. My son graduated from Haverford in 2015 and his fiance is a Davidson grad. She describes the social scene at Davidson as "greek-lite" and inclusive. What's clear is that she enjoyed her Davidson college years a lot more than my son did at Haverford.

[Anonymous]

Geography/weather aside, how does Davidson compare to Colgate? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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...)

Davidson takes more than half their class either ED or ED2 and applying early decision does seem to increase chances of admission considerably. My son didn't get into his top choice ED so applied ED2 to Davidson and shockingly (at least to us) got in. Davidson's overall acceptance rate supposedly dropped to around 14% this last admissions cycle (Class of 2027).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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).

What are his safeties? Curious bc my DD has the same list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Geography/weather aside, how does Davidson compare to Colgate? Thanks.

A family friend's daughter got into both Davidson and Colgate and chose Colgate. She now regrets her decision. Colgate's social life revolves around alcohol and the Greek life is much more pervasive and far less inclusive than at Davidson. She was not a drinker and had a difficult time finding her people at Colgate even though she is a pretty extroverted. Academically, both schools are excellent though Davidson's reputation may be stronger from here on south while Colgate is better known in NY and New England.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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).

Best post of the day. Your son seems great.

[Anonymous]

As one who prefers larger schools, I think that I would enjoy Davidson College because of the weather, Lake Norman, and it is a nice place for a distance runner to enjoy long, low traffic runs.

[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.

Many people are not "afraid" of greek culture. They just don't like it.

Some schools have a policy whereby all events must be open to all students.

At such places, you don't have to "try out" (or pay dues) to be someone's friend.

Different mindset.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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...)

My daughter is currently a student at Davidson and she isn't what you'd call the sorority type. However, she did join an eating house with friends towards the end of her first year and loves it.

The so called Greek system for women really isn't like a typical sorority system. Davidson has eating houses for women starting 2nd year that are non-residential and self-selecting (meaning the applying student gets to choose and not members of the eating house). Roughly half of the women choose to be in an eating house while about 25% of men choose to be in a fraternity (frats do have rush unlike the eating houses). The eating houses and the few fraternities are single level buildings located together in a courtyard on campus (Patterson Court) that basically serve as dining halls and party spaces. The women eat lunch and dinner during the week (no weekend meals) and have social events at the eating houses. The food is usually an improvement on what is available at the main dining hall Commons (though there are particular meals at Commons that are quite popular with the students). There is no formal rush process. Women enter their preferences either individually or with a group of friends and then a computer program assigns them to an eating house. Friends often enter self-selection together as a group and groups will get assigned together so no one gets left out. Parties at Davidson are open to all students regardless of affiliation with the exception of formals and weekly house meetings. All students have to be on a minimum dining plan so on weekends students will eat at the primary dining hall Commons or one of the other dining options on campus at the Student Union, Summit Coffe or Qdobas. My daughter does eat at Commons during the week on occasion when she is meeting with friends/classmates who aren't members of her eating house or when Commons is serving one of her favorite meals. My daughter loves Davidson (and its phenomenal weather) and chose it over Middlebury and Wesleyan with absolutely no regrets.

In case anyone is curious what Commons is like, here's a fun student made video (including a cameo by a young Steph Curry): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGQID66agH4

OP here--very helpful post: thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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).

Best post of the day. Your son seems great.

Her son sounds like the most boring basic b**ch male ever

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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).

Best post of the day. Your son seems great.

Her son sounds like the most boring basic b**ch male ever

what the f%^k is wrong with you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Geography/weather aside, how does Davidson compare to Colgate? Thanks.

Colgate seems to have a more toxic bro culture.

More pre-professional/less intellectual.

Worse location.

[Anonymous]

My kid loved Davidson (much to our surprise, since we are not big fans of the south).

The campus is very pretty and historic. You can walk seamlessly into a cute town with several great restaurants.

The quality of education was excellent. Honor code was impressive and a source of pride.

Easy trip (by plane) from here to their campus.

My kid applied (RD) and did not get in. Her school (a W public in Montgomery County) does not seem to do well there, with admissions.

(If your kid has their sights set on med school, perhaps inquire about grade deflation because we heard it is a thing there. )