Davidson: a bust?

[Anonymous]

Interesting to see people discover boarding school today.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Congratulations, OP, this is exactly what touring colleges is all about -- to help you and your kid narrow down what you like and don't like. You have figured something out, though I'm not sure it was necessary to share with the group.

Yeah, my whole high school time I dreamed of going to Duke, worked hard, etc. Toured campus and it was oppressive? Depressing? Also didn’t love the tour guide, but just the environment wasn’t for me. My guidance counselor suggested Wake Forest and the tour and campus “vibe” was a night and day experience. I wanted good academics and also good sports. One was just a better fit than the other. For ME at that time. (Like not sure I would send my kid to wake now but this was 25 years ago and the point being each student has a different choice to make).

[Anonymous]

SO much can be the tour guide. We toured Davidson and had the best tour guide there of the 25 schools we toured (props to Matteo--still remember his name from 2+ years ago). My child applied for this reason even though she had no real interest in a small school.

Ended up going to a large university in the end but loved Davidson from the tour.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:SO much can be the tour guide. We toured Davidson and had the best tour guide there of the 25 schools we toured (props to Matteo--still remember his name from 2+ years ago). My child applied for this reason even though she had no real interest in a small school.

Ended up going to a large university in the end but loved Davidson from the tour.

Agree. And that’s why I put no faith in the “feels” following a tour.

[Anonymous]

So I am confused at this negative post OP. We toured Davidson and it is a beautiful college with nice kids. It is a great school. Rundown? What?? The thing about the town area is yes it is small but the fact there is any town area at such a small school is better than say a comparable like Swarthmore that has zero town area and sits by a dangerous area. Also the greek life is mostly clubs and you don’t even really rush. Essentially everyone gets a bid so not sure the problem. They also have an incredible honor code where you literally can leave all your stuff and it would still be there hours later. Kids take the honor code seriously. We wound up with a larger school but if we wanted a smaller school that was selective this school would be top of list. On more thing I would not suggest anyone take the tour guide so seriously. Not every student is a great guide so give them slack.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:SO much can be the tour guide. We toured Davidson and had the best tour guide there of the 25 schools we toured (props to Matteo--still remember his name from 2+ years ago). My child applied for this reason even though she had no real interest in a small school.

Ended up going to a large university in the end but loved Davidson from the tour.

Yup. Matteo was awesome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your daughter will struggle in life so hope you have a lot of money.

DP. Uh, sure. I don’t think a school the caliber of Davidson needs you to “defend it.” The school wasn’t for OP. Keep scrolling, don’t turn people off from the school by insulting a child with a weird non sequitur.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SO much can be the tour guide. We toured Davidson and had the best tour guide there of the 25 schools we toured (props to Matteo--still remember his name from 2+ years ago). My child applied for this reason even though she had no real interest in a small school.

Ended up going to a large university in the end but loved Davidson from the tour.

Yup. Matteo was awesome.

You had him too? lol.

[Anonymous]

Have to LOL at the posters turning this thread into a troll thread against great universities like Cornell, Vanderbilt, & Northwestern.

OP: Thank you for posting your impressions. I like Davidson, but another poster's description of the area of NASCAR McMansions is accurate and has been for decades. NASCAR is huge in that region.

Tough to criticize universities as they are large enough to offer a lot of variety and options so that almost everyone can find their tribe and match their interests . LACs are small schools accompanied by a dominant personality and are typically located in remote, isolated areas. If one doesn't click with the overall vibe of a small school, then it's not a match for that individual student.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SO much can be the tour guide. We toured Davidson and had the best tour guide there of the 25 schools we toured (props to Matteo--still remember his name from 2+ years ago). My child applied for this reason even though she had no real interest in a small school.

Ended up going to a large university in the end but loved Davidson from the tour.

Yup. Matteo was awesome.

Wow, you remember him too? Go matteo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have to LOL at the posters turning this thread into a troll thread against great universities like Cornell, Vanderbilt, & Northwestern.

OP: Thank you for posting your impressions. I like Davidson, but another poster's description of the area of NASCAR McMansions is accurate and has been for decades. NASCAR is huge in that region.

Tough to criticize universities as they are large enough to offer a lot of variety and options so that almost everyone can find their tribe and match their interests . LACs are small schools accompanied by a dominant personality and are typically located in remote, isolated areas. If one doesn't click with the overall vibe of a small school, then it's not a match for that individual student.

No one trolling against those “great universities”. My kid goes to one!

But their tours sometimes (mostly?) suck. Take it all with a grain of salt.

[Anonymous]

We toured a few months ago and had an EXCELLENT tour guide. So open, friendly and knowledgeable. I asked if she could be the tour guide for every college tour. I think as adults, we see and understand things differently and unfortunately our kids first impression of schools is highly dependent on the tour guides.

I have no doubt my DD would get an excellent education there. The Honor Code is such a strong attribute and clearly an important part of the culture and campus. But the knowledge that she'd get a Liberal Arts degree and then have to go to Grad School was a strong detractor for her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The surrounding town lacked “intellectual energy”? What?

Townies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just wanted to share some reflections on our recent visit to Davidson College. I toured with my daughter (junior at a very rigorous New England prep school), who’s a high-achiever academically and interested in double-majoring in math and history. Davidson has been on her list for a while due to its strong academic reputation and supportive community. Unfortunately, the visit left both of us feeling underwhelmed. The campus felt underwhelming and outdated, and the surrounding town lacked the vibrancy and intellectual energy she’s looking for. While Davidson may suit students seeking a quiet, sports-knit community, it just didn’t click for us. We were also concerned by the prominence of Patterson Court and Greek life, which seemed at odds with the academic culture she’s hoping for. Online several students mentioned difficulty getting into upper-level courses, especially in math. Ultimately, the outcomes didn’t seem to justify the cost compared to strong in-state options we have in Maryland. Any families have a similar experience? We've only heard the "pros" on this site and think we need to open this discourse!

You lost me at "strong in-state options we have in Maryland." Your daughter is concerned with the intellectualism and community at Davidson yet would prefer UMD, which is gigantic and is a lot less intellectual? That makes zero sense.

It seems like your daughter with her fancy prep school background has an inflated sense of self-importance. Have you visited Maryland? I think she will be horrified by it. No offense to Maryland. I think your daughter would do well at Northeastern or Holy Cross or one of the other schools obsessively discussed here where the students and parents seem to have a false sense of greatness.

I'm so curious as to what school she currently goes to.

You actually do make some other decent points. But your post went downhill very rapidly. Good luck.

There's JHU and the Naval Academy. And, not much else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just wanted to share some reflections on our recent visit to Davidson College. I toured with my daughter (junior at a very rigorous New England prep school), who’s a high-achiever academically and interested in double-majoring in math and history. Davidson has been on her list for a while due to its strong academic reputation and supportive community. Unfortunately, the visit left both of us feeling underwhelmed. The campus felt underwhelming and outdated, and the surrounding town lacked the vibrancy and intellectual energy she’s looking for. While Davidson may suit students seeking a quiet, sports-knit community, it just didn’t click for us. We were also concerned by the prominence of Patterson Court and Greek life, which seemed at odds with the academic culture she’s hoping for. Online several students mentioned difficulty getting into upper-level courses, especially in math. Ultimately, the outcomes didn’t seem to justify the cost compared to strong in-state options we have in Maryland. Any families have a similar experience? We've only heard the "pros" on this site and think we need to open this discourse!

You lost me at "strong in-state options we have in Maryland." Your daughter is concerned with the intellectualism and community at Davidson yet would prefer UMD, which is gigantic and is a lot less intellectual? That makes zero sense.

It seems like your daughter with her fancy prep school background has an inflated sense of self-importance. Have you visited Maryland? I think she will be horrified by it. No offense to Maryland. I think your daughter would do well at Northeastern or Holy Cross or one of the other schools obsessively discussed here where the students and parents seem to have a false sense of greatness.

I'm so curious as to what school she currently goes to.

You actually do make some other decent points. But your post went downhill very rapidly. Good luck.

Wrong UMD is a better school intellectually than Davidson, there is no reality it is not,

Davidson is a closed minded place in a shitty little town outside of Charlotte. Not an intellectual bastion.