Thoughts on Davidson?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I visited Davidson with DC expecting something more akin to Richmond or W&L but in fact found it very much like a Haverford culturally. Everyone had their pronouns, there was a very visible LGBTQ presence (signs for events). Perhaps it still has some affiliation with its southern prep roots but it seemed A LOT like a typical New England LAC that leans left. I was quite surprised to be honest.

Please, please, please, someone share that this is not true.

Unfortunately it is. DC liked a lot of things about Davidson but was really turned off by a seemingly-forced “they/them” culture. Like they were going out of their way to try to appear so PC.

[Anonymous]

My DS looked at both Haverford and Davidson. He chose Davidson and could not be happier. It is truly an amazing place with laser focus on the student experience. The academics/professors are top notch and the kids are typically kind and whip smart. I disagree with the comments regarding the prominence of Greek life -- there are no residential houses and parties are open to all. It seems to play a relatively minor role in students' social activities and most are friends with kids that do/do not participate. Davidson is amazing! #GoWildcats

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I visited Davidson with DC expecting something more akin to Richmond or W&L but in fact found it very much like a Haverford culturally. Everyone had their pronouns, there was a very visible LGBTQ presence (signs for events). Perhaps it still has some affiliation with its southern prep roots but it seemed A LOT like a typical New England LAC that leans left. I was quite surprised to be honest.

Please, please, please, someone share that this is not true.

Unfortunately it is. DC liked a lot of things about Davidson but was really turned off by a seemingly-forced “they/them” culture. Like they were going out of their way to try to appear so PC.

Please! You must not get out much as even Notre Dame students provide preferred pronouns. Go enroll at Liberty or High Point University -- you'll fit in beautifully. Clearly, elite academics are not for you or your DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I visited Davidson with DC expecting something more akin to Richmond or W&L but in fact found it very much like a Haverford culturally. Everyone had their pronouns, there was a very visible LGBTQ presence (signs for events). Perhaps it still has some affiliation with its southern prep roots but it seemed A LOT like a typical New England LAC that leans left. I was quite surprised to be honest.

Please, please, please, someone share that this is not true.

Unfortunately it is. DC liked a lot of things about Davidson but was really turned off by a seemingly-forced “they/them” culture. Like they were going out of their way to try to appear so PC.

Please! You must not get out much as even Notre Dame students provide preferred pronouns. Go enroll at Liberty or High Point University -- you'll fit in beautifully. Clearly, elite academics are not for you or your DC.

This is ridiculous and sad.

[Anonymous]

OP absolutely choose Davidson! Top academics, high achieving yet friendly student body, gorgeous campus in a walkable college town in one of the fastest growing metro areas in the country, fun college traditions, super loyal alumni, real honor code, self scheduled finals and outstanding weather--what more could a kid want in a small liberal arts college? Five days in and my first year is already loving it. She's looking forward to running in the first year Cake Race this Wednesday just like her sibling did 4 years ago. It's just one of the many fun traditions at Davidson. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d79LBTXfRWY

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP absolutely choose Davidson! Top academics, high achieving yet friendly student body, gorgeous campus in a walkable college town in one of the fastest growing metro areas in the country, fun college traditions, super loyal alumni, real honor code, self scheduled finals and outstanding weather--what more could a kid want in a small liberal arts college? Five days in and my first year is already loving it. She's looking forward to running in the first year Cake Race this Wednesday just like her sibling did 4 years ago. It's just one of the many fun traditions at Davidson. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d79LBTXfRWY

Thanks for the wonderful feedback that actually addresses the OP! It's too bad to see the MAGA crowd hijack this thread with their hateful rhetoric and nonsensical comments. Cheers!!!

[Anonymous]

Agree that Davidson is worth a look. My older kid turned down Davidson for a different LAC and sometimes wonders what might have been. The D1 sports and associated campus spirit was a huge selling point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree that Davidson is worth a look. My older kid turned down Davidson for a different LAC and sometimes wonders what might have been. The D1 sports and associated campus spirit was a huge selling point.

Ours also wonders what might have been. She was all set to attend Davidson but a surprise acceptance from Amherst had her torn. After much drama that I posted about on a thread here, she chose Amherst. Suffice to say, her college experience has not lived up to her high expectations. She even contemplated applying to transfer to Davidson.

So OP, financial situation permitting, please have your child do careful research beyond the brochures and rankings, do visit the final contending schools for more than a 75 min info session/campus tour and then trust your child to make their choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree that Davidson is worth a look. My older kid turned down Davidson for a different LAC and sometimes wonders what might have been. The D1 sports and associated campus spirit was a huge selling point.

Ours also wonders what might have been. She was all set to attend Davidson but a surprise acceptance from Amherst had her torn. After much drama that I posted about on a thread here, she chose Amherst. Suffice to say, her college experience has not lived up to her high expectations. She even contemplated applying to transfer to Davidson.

So OP, financial situation permitting, please have your child do careful research beyond the brochures and rankings, do visit the final contending schools for more than a 75 min info session/campus tour and then trust your child to make their choice.

Are you willing to elaborate on why your she was not happy at Amherst ? Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree that Davidson is worth a look. My older kid turned down Davidson for a different LAC and sometimes wonders what might have been. The D1 sports and associated campus spirit was a huge selling point.

Ours also wonders what might have been. She was all set to attend Davidson but a surprise acceptance from Amherst had her torn. After much drama that I posted about on a thread here, she chose Amherst. Suffice to say, her college experience has not lived up to her high expectations. She even contemplated applying to transfer to Davidson.

So OP, financial situation permitting, please have your child do careful research beyond the brochures and rankings, do visit the final contending schools for more than a 75 min info session/campus tour and then trust your child to make their choice.

Are you willing to elaborate on why your she was not happy at Amherst ? Thanks in advance.

I remember your post about Amherst v Davidson and just about every response said to go to Amherst.

I wish Davidson had been right for one of my kids. One would not have fit in socially and the other wants a bigger school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree that Davidson is worth a look. My older kid turned down Davidson for a different LAC and sometimes wonders what might have been. The D1 sports and associated campus spirit was a huge selling point.

Ours also wonders what might have been. She was all set to attend Davidson but a surprise acceptance from Amherst had her torn. After much drama that I posted about on a thread here, she chose Amherst. Suffice to say, her college experience has not lived up to her high expectations. She even contemplated applying to transfer to Davidson.

So OP, financial situation permitting, please have your child do careful research beyond the brochures and rankings, do visit the final contending schools for more than a 75 min info session/campus tour and then trust your child to make their choice.

I remember this thread too, the posting parent did not want the child to attend Davidson and was looking for ways to convince her to attend Amherst, which they perceived to be a “better” school. Perhaps this is a reminder to let kids go with their gut feelings about schools rather than imposing our own preferences.

[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.

Math heavy Econ and Poly Sci were the two majors my DC was targeting at Haverford.....so this isn't the best example. We never looked at Davidson so I can't speak for the school. But it is true that Haverford has an academia slant and has a very high percentage of students who go to graduate school (and in more classic areas of of liberal arts/science/social science not just law/business/medical).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree that Davidson is worth a look. My older kid turned down Davidson for a different LAC and sometimes wonders what might have been. The D1 sports and associated campus spirit was a huge selling point.

Ours also wonders what might have been. She was all set to attend Davidson but a surprise acceptance from Amherst had her torn. After much drama that I posted about on a thread here, she chose Amherst. Suffice to say, her college experience has not lived up to her high expectations. She even contemplated applying to transfer to Davidson.

So OP, financial situation permitting, please have your child do careful research beyond the brochures and rankings, do visit the final contending schools for more than a 75 min info session/campus tour and then trust your child to make their choice.

I remember this thread too, the posting parent did not want the child to attend Davidson and was looking for ways to convince her to attend Amherst, which they perceived to be a “better” school. Perhaps this is a reminder to let kids go with their gut feelings about schools rather than imposing our own preferences.

+1 - the “best” college is the one that’s best for that particular kid. I appreciate the reminder.

[Anonymous]

My thoughts are I don’t think of Davidson. Middle of the road SLAC. But did produce Steph Curry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My thoughts are I don’t think of Davidson. Middle of the road SLAC. But did produce Steph Curry.

Steph's Mom & Dad might disagree.