Smith or Davidson College?

[Anonymous]

Our humanities/theater oriented daughter committed to Smith where she is a legacy but was just offered a spot off the wait list at Davidson. A month ago, she would have chosen Davidson in a heartbeat and wrote an email to Davidson telling them that. At the time, she preferred a coed environment and a warmer climate all things being equal but now says she isn't so sure. She says she already had committed in her mind to Smith and made friends at the admitted students event. We are all much more familiar with the Smith campus and surrounding area though she loved Davidson went she spent an overnight there in the fall. Davidson is known to have a strong theater program as well. We are full pay so cost considerations aren't a factor.

Now here's the thing: my husband feels VERY strongly that Davidson will be a better fit for our straight daughter though I'd love for her to follow in my footsteps. Admittedly, he is correct in observing that Smith has changed a lot since I went there in the early 90s when there were numerous social opportunities with college men mixing in on weekends (my husband having been one of them) which is no longer the case. My reply to him is that our extroverted daughter would make friends including male ones anywhere and academically Smith is at least Davidson's equal. Any of you have daughters who had to make a similar decision between a women's college and a coed one and how did it work out? Or have a theater child attend Davidson and how they liked it?

[Anonymous]

Davidson’s a better fit for a straight female. Then again, many females discover they are not straight once they’re in college.

[Anonymous]

I just went to my reunion at Smith last weekend. It was wonderful. I’d recommend Smith to anyone just so they could spend time at Neilson. That said, your daughter would do fine at Davidson.

At the end of the day, this isn’t your decision to make, and coming here to ask for advice is moot. This is your daughter’s decision to make based on the information SHE has. You don’t need to crowdsource for her. Let her make it and support whatever decision she comes to.

[Anonymous]

Western Massachusetts can get gloomy in the winter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Davidson’s a better fit for a straight female. Then again, many females discover they are not straight once they’re in college.

Speaking honestly, I have preconceived beliefs about the sexual orientation of students at each of these schools, therefore, I think that it is best to let your daughter decide.

[Anonymous]

Davidson hands down

[Anonymous]

Davidson for sure if that was her first choice before.

[Anonymous]

Davidson kids are generally pretty cool. Smith girls can be a tad pretentious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our humanities/theater oriented daughter committed to Smith where she is a legacy but was just offered a spot off the wait list at Davidson. A month ago, she would have chosen Davidson in a heartbeat and wrote an email to Davidson telling them that. At the time, she preferred a coed environment and a warmer climate all things being equal but now says she isn't so sure. She says she already had committed in her mind to Smith and made friends at the admitted students event. We are all much more familiar with the Smith campus and surrounding area though she loved Davidson went she spent an overnight there in the fall. Davidson is known to have a strong theater program as well. We are full pay so cost considerations aren't a factor.

Now here's the thing: my husband feels VERY strongly that Davidson will be a better fit for our straight daughter though I'd love for her to follow in my footsteps. Admittedly, he is correct in observing that Smith has changed a lot since I went there in the early 90s when there were numerous social opportunities with college men mixing in on weekends (my husband having been one of them) which is no longer the case. My reply to him is that our extroverted daughter would make friends including male ones anywhere and academically Smith is at least Davidson's equal. Any of you have daughters who had to make a similar decision between a women's college and a coed one and how did it work out? Or have a theater child attend Davidson and how they liked it?

Who gets to make the final decision? Seriously? Parents or kid? If it’s the parents, then tell your daughter right now that you will let her know what your decision is. But be ready for a pissed off, resentful kid.

If it’s your daughter’s decision, you need to let your husband know in case he is unable to regulate any anger or disappointment or resentment he might show your kid.

[Anonymous]

I am also a Smith alum, OP, and loved my time there. The straight friends I had there didn't date much, it's true, but they all seem to have ended up with great guys--including in one case a Davidson alum! And the smaller set of Davidson alums I know are uniformly incredibly smart and kind people. So I don't think she can go wrong, especially because her odds are good to be able to transfer if she is unhappy her first year. My sister visited me at Smith a few times when I was there and decided she instead wanted "warm weather and boys" (she wound up at Rice) and I don't think those are bad things to want! But Smith is also wonderful. Let her choose for herself.

[Anonymous]

Davidson- was where she wanted to go. There are downsides to going to same place as a parent went - ask me how I know

[Anonymous]

I’m a Smithie so I think everyone should choose Smith! Davidson seems like a great place too, so i agree with others that both choices are great. Sad to hear that socializing on campus with men is uncommon now—what happened with that? If that’s true, i might lean toward Davidson but it’s ultimately her decision.

[Anonymous]

I'm a Davidson parent. I can't tell you about the Smith experience (you know that well, obviously) but our expectations of the Davidson experience have exceeded what we thought our child would experience when they choose Davidson. They are not into theater but has friends who are and you are right that it is a strong program on campus. I think your daughter will do well with whichever school she chooses.

[Anonymous]

Seems like a bit of an apples to oranges comparison

[Anonymous]

Can she go visit Davidson to get familiar again? I know people that went to both and I can barely think of more different schools.