Colleges similar to Davidson but easier to get into?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You already have a good choice in U Richmond. If in-state, you might consider W&M. Of course, it’s a bit larger and public, but it still has a bit of a LAC feel.

I'm not so sure those two options are much easier than Davidson, even if in-state.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wake Forest checks some - certainly not all before someone jumps in - of the same boxes as Davidson. I find that people often ask “what is just like college X but easier to get into?” But if it was the same as college x, it would be just as hard to get into! So often you need to acknowledge that nothing else will be identical to a “dream school” but can have some of the same features that attracted you (and sometimes some colleges on your list will check certain of those boxes and others will check unrelated ones- meaning a student’s list on the whole might not seem cut from the identical cloth). For a safety, check out the honors college at College of Charleston.

My child is interested in WF for its strength in a particular area of study, but it seems a little too party-party rich kid. Is this true?

He’s VERY interested in Davidson, also very strong in this area of study (Chinese).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Washington and Lee tends to attract a similar profile, but not an easy admission target

Yes.

Washington and Lee is pretty much Davidson sans D1 athletics. W&L is a slightly higher ranked SLAC ( USNWR) but is a little less competitive in admissions versus Davidson. If the OP's DC is strong enough to be recruited at the D3 level, W&L might be worth a look.

Is Davidson as conservative as Washington & Lee? And as full of old Southern families with lots of money?

I have one at Davidson and it isn't as conservative as W&L (we looked at both). The PP is right about it being a difficult job to find something similar. Unique characteristics: D1 sports in small community, niceness is especially valued (during the first visit home the first year, I heard "even the jerks are nice!"), easy climate, SLAC that is accessible (quick Uber to Charlotte/airport), subtle greek life.

[Anonymous]

Denison

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dickinson
Elon
Bucknell
Miami of Ohio
Oberlin
Sewanee
Kenyon
Wake Forrest

Oberlin and Kenyon are not like Davidson. Much less pre-professional, Southern, and athletics focused. Much stronger in fine arts and pre-PhD. And, WFU isn’t easier to get into. I’d say:

WM is an obvious one for in state VA. At a minimum, it should be easier to get in instate, ED

Hamilton
Colgate
Colby (all 3 are still tough)

Denison
Furman
Sewanee
Miami of Ohio
Elon
Bucknell
Clark
F&M

Maybe Lehigh?

[Anonymous]

Davidson is hard to get into?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dickinson
Elon
Bucknell
Miami of Ohio
Oberlin
Sewanee
Kenyon
Wake Forrest

Oberlin and Kenyon are not like Davidson. Much less pre-professional, Southern, and athletics focused. Much stronger in fine arts and pre-PhD. And, WFU isn’t easier to get into. I’d say:

WM is an obvious one for in state VA. At a minimum, it should be easier to get in instate, ED

Hamilton
Colgate
Colby (all 3 are still tough)

Denison
Furman
Sewanee
Miami of Ohio
Elon
Bucknell
Clark
F&M

Maybe Lehigh?

Add Skidmore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Davidson is hard to get into?

Depends on whether you think 14% admit rate is hard to get into?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dickinson
Elon
Bucknell
Miami of Ohio
Oberlin
Sewanee
Kenyon
Wake Forrest

Oberlin and Kenyon are not like Davidson. Much less pre-professional, Southern, and athletics focused. Much stronger in fine arts and pre-PhD. And, WFU isn’t easier to get into. I’d say:

WM is an obvious one for in state VA. At a minimum, it should be easier to get in instate, ED

Hamilton
Colgate
Colby (all 3 are still tough)

Denison
Furman
Sewanee
Miami of Ohio
Elon
Bucknell
Clark
F&M

Maybe Lehigh?

Add Skidmore.

Woffard
U Richmond
Lafayette

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Davidson is hard to get into?

Only for the past generation or three.

[Anonymous]

^Those are all great suggestions. I was pleased with how generous Furman was with merit aid for my kid, which made it not that much more expensive than the University of Maryland. It has a beautiful campus in a small city and is an hour or so south of Asheville, one of my personal faves.
I also am a fan of St. Mary's College of Maryland, which has small classes, a lovely waterfront campus, a commitment to internships & study abroad, and an affordable price (and merit aid is just the cherry on top). I know some kids find the nightlife/campus life too lowkey but I think that's true for a lot of SLACs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You already have a good choice in U Richmond. If in-state, you might consider W&M. Of course, it’s a bit larger and public, but it still has a bit of a LAC feel.

I'm not so sure those two options are much easier than Davidson, even if in-state.

'

While they're not easy admits, they are in fact, easier to get into than Davidson. Size is part of that, but it's just fact that the admit rates are higher. Why people suggest Elon to someone who wants something like Davidson is beyond me. From an academic perspective they are night and day. Elon does not attract the curious, intellectual types that Davidson does. It's a lovely school, but not for intellectuals.

[Anonymous]

Union if willing to go to colder climate.

[Anonymous]

If you want small DI schools with good academics- look at the patriot league

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Davidson is hard to get into?

Depends on whether you think 14% admit rate is hard to get into?

The 2021 CDS says 20%

https://www.davidson.edu/media/3902/download?attachment