Chances of heading to NC?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Davidson College
1

<p>Here's some condensed info that'll go on my application, but it's certainly not exhaustive
: )</p>

<p>GPA: 4.0 (unweighted...my private school doesn't weight advanced classes, nor are they dubbed "AP." I'm hoping my counselor explains in my School Report how difficult the classes are, and that I've taken all the toughest available every year).</p>

<p>Class Rank: Valedictorian (but only out of 40 haha)</p>

<p>SAT 1 (single sitting): 750 CR, 710 Math <-meh, still low, 760 Writing: 2220</p>

<p>Sat IIs: I took Math IIC and Lit in June, but for some reason they never mailed me my scores because I tested standby haha. I've been emailing back-and-forth with their customer "support." yeesh.</p>

<p>APS: here's the <em>ouch</em> part..since my school doesn't really support APs, I only took the Lit test this spring (self-study obviously). I got a 5. I expect to take several more AP tests independently NEXT spring, but I obviously have to apply way before that : (</p>

<p>Honors: plenty of school-wide awards, but it's only worth mentioning the national ones, I suppose: Furman Scholar, Sewanee Book Award for Promising Writers, and National Merit (either CS or SF, we'll see.....).</p>

<p>ECs: -Forensics!! (aka Speech and Debate). Team Captain. I've placed regionally in literally every event (on the speech side, no LD or anything). I recently placed 18th nationally in Original Oratory at the NFL tournament in Las Vegas. If you know anything about Forensics, you'll know this is huge :)
-Varsity Basketball, starting point guard for two years
-Mock Trial, hoping for an Attorney award at State this year...
-Theatre, Leading roles in all productions 3 straight years</p>

<p>(I hope adcomms see an emphasis on leadership and communication/public speaking skills in these focused ECs..)</p>

<p>Community Service: about 250 hours. For the past 3 summers, I've volunteered as a counselor at a summer camp for underprivileged kids. My Freshman and Sophomore years, I volunteered as a tutor for the same group of kids (same organization) once-a-week.</p>

<p>My Teacher and Counselor recs should be awesome, especially for Davidson, since the teacher went there, and he told me he's planning something special for his Davidson rec :)</p>

<p>I write poetry and prose all the time, so I plan on developing some kick-butt essays, and perhaps sending in some supplemental work (possibly for the $20,000 writing scholarship at Davidson...).</p>

<p>So, with all that in mind, what are my chances at getting in?</p>

<p>Thanks, you guys!</p>

2

<p>It's impossible to say whether or not you'll get into any given college. For example, my cousin was admitted into Princeton University, but she was not accepted at Clemson University (in South Carolina). So, it's hard to say, really.</p>

<p>You have a very high SAT score, you're first in your class, and you have an impressive array of extra curriculars. If you can eloquently showcase yourself in your admissions essays, I would say you have a very high chance of admission, especially if you apply early decision (2012 class early rate: 42%; regular; 23%).</p>

<p>Best of luck and have a pleasant senior year!</p>

<p>If you have any questions, feel free to email.
Alice, <a href="mailto:alphillips@davidson.edu">alphillips@davidson.edu</a>
Davidson '12</p>

3

<p>WOW. are you serious??!! how is that possible? well, I guess maybe they could've seen from her stats that she was obviously over-qualified, and that Clemson was obviously her safety so she would most likely choose to go somewhere else. But aside from protecting their yield rate, that doesn't make any sense haha.</p>

<p>thanks so much! i'll probably end up emailing you my essays when I'm finished.</p>

<p>Anyone else?</p>

4

<p>Sounds good!</p>

5

<p>Just curious....is Davidson as "preppy" as they say?</p>

6

<p>I wouldn't call it preppy. </p>

<p>People do dress pretty nicely (or in any case, they don't look like slobs), but no, there's no pressure to strut the Polo-shirt, shrug-sweater look.<br>
Davidson is a lot more diverse than one would expect!</p>

7

<p>wow, thanks. It's a relief to find someone on CC who's actually HELPFUL haha ;)</p>

<p>what year are you? has Davidson lived up to your expectations?</p>

<p>and finally, is their financial aid decent? I'm basically in FinAid purgatory, because our income is around $100k, which means not nearly enough to pay for private school, but too much (at most places) to get enough help.</p>

8

<p>Well, I do what I can -- glad to be of service! :P</p>

<p>I'm just a wee freshie! Orientation was 20 August, and we've now completed week one of classes. Week two begins tomorrow (Yes! We do have classes on Labor Day ... ugh ...) and I'm stoked but not nearly ready.
I have to say, though, already Davidson has more than exceeded my expectations.<br>
The freshmen dorms are really nice -- my room here is bigger than my room at home, and I love my roommate. Davidson first years take a form of the Myers-Brigg (Jungian) personality test and are matched with their most compatible classmate of the same gender. My roommate and I could have been twins separated at birth: it's SCARY. And generally speaking, that's how it is here. They also try to make the most compatible halls, so everyone on my hall is very similar to me, too, and it makes it easier to relate.
All of the dorm buildings have recently undergone renovations (in my case, this summer) and they're all very new-looking.</p>

<p>Classes are incredible. They're short (whereas in high school, you have seven to eight hours of classes a day, here, with a two hour lab, you have seven to eight hours of classes a WEEK). Fifty minute classes on MWF; seventy-five minute classes on TR. My professors are all smart and funny, and they care more that we learn it than make an A.</p>

<p>The student body is not as homogeneous as one would think. I have two international students on my hall (one from Ghana; one from Turkey) and I'm in classes with kids from Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, and China. </p>

<p>The kids here are very polite and well-mannered. Probably in part because of how small campus is -- there's no avoiding someone if you have a falling out!<br>
But it doesn't feel too small, either. Davidson is not nearly as isolated as most small-towns. It's half an hour up the highway from Charlotte; five minutes away from Mooresville (Target, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Kohls, malls -- stuff to do!) and five in the other direction from other stops with various conveniences. Freshmen are allowed cars (annual car passes are only $50) and parking is wherever you can find it (lots of nearby lots). </p>

<p>We have a good relationship with the town and were welcomed by the townies with a freshmen cake race -- a 1.7 mile race around the campus in which the top 70 girls and top 70 guys running get a cake! It's awesome!</p>

<p>Finally, you can't forget the Honor Code. You can leave stuff anywhere -- laptop, keys, purse -- and it'll be there when you get back, even if it's been a few hours. </p>

<p>Oh, and the free laundry service. Drop it off and it's ready for pick up the next day, folded and ironed in fancy brown paper, closed with a Davidson seal, and all of your hanging clothes pressed and on hangers.</p>

<p>Financial aid is an area I'm not so sure about. They have a no-loan policy and I'm told they're need-blind and will cover all demonstrated need. I'm also told that if they offer you a package that doesn't quite cover everything, you can call them up to discuss it and they'll adjust it to work for you.<br>
Davidson also has a long list of merit-based scholarships available. Many of these scholarships are open to all applicants, and thus all applicants are automatically pooled for consideration. I do recall, however, that a few specific ones require separate applications (read: more essays).</p>

<p>All that said, I do know people who have gotten in here but could not pay for it and ended up going somewhere else. Definitely don't let it stop you from applying ANYWHERE, but keep in mind, sometimes it doesn't always work out. But keep your chin up!</p>

9

<p>whoa - did you really say that you only have 7 or 8 hours worth of classes... a WEEK? So, on average, an hour a day??</p>

10

<p>Well, it depends on what you're taking. With LAB, yes, 7 to 8 hours of classes per week (meaning per school week, so M-F). </p>

<p>My schedule is pretty typical:
MWF
Bio 111 - 8:30-9:20
Math 130 - 9:30-10:20
Eng 240 - 10:30-11:20</p>

<p>T
Eng 101W - 11:30-12:45</p>

<p>R
Bio 111 LAB - 8:30-11:15
Eng 101W - 11:30-12:45</p>

<p>That's 7.5 hrs per week, excluding lab. With lab, it's more like 10 hours. But still!!!!</p>

<p>By the way, by typical, I mean typical in terms of course-load. Most people aren't neurotic enough to pick all 8:30 classes 4/5 weekdays.</p>

11

<p>I don't know why that is so surprising to me, but it is, haha. almost eight hours a week, instead of almost eight hours a DAY in high school. it's hard to imagine the difference. haha. sounds like it would be basically summer year round, speaking in terms of high school course loads.</p>

12

<p>Well..........yes, there is a lot more "free" time. But because professors generally don't have time to say everything they'd like to in a lecture, you end up teaching yourself most of the curriculum -- so time management skills are essential. It is great, though. Like, I've called high school friends during the day on weekdays not remembering they're still in school ... it's AWESOME!</p>

13

<p>Hello everyone! I’m glad to see a thread already started about applying to Davidson! </p>

<p>I'm interested in transferring to Davidson this Spring ('09).
I attended a well-regarded liberal arts college last year, did well, and I've decided to take this semester off to think about where I want to go next. I think Davidson might be that place. I’m particularly drawn to Davidson because of the academic and social intimacy it affords its students within the framework of an education tailored to today's global society. </p>

<p>Though you've only been at the school for a few weeks, you seem very well versed about many-things Davidson and sound very passionate and proud of your school--which is a positive reflection of the type of students this institution enrolls. </p>

<p>To that end, I’d like to ask you a few questions, with the hope that you’ll be able to give me a student’s perspective. I also don’t think I’ll be able to visit campus, so I’m trying to get as much first-hand info as possible. </p>

<p>1) I'd like to ask if you know anything about transfer admissions: the general process, the extent of it's competitive nature, what the Committee looks for, etc? </p>

<p>2) Coming from a small liberal arts college, where papers substituted conventional tests/exams, will I find much of a difference at Davidson? </p>

<p>3) I’m used to intensive small seminars with a lot of interaction, and reading/studying from direct sources (and not textbooks). How do you find the structure at Davidson? </p>

<p>4) I know that most institutions of higher education struggle deeply with the issue of diversity. Davidson has about 14% minority enrollment—a figure which I believe also includes international students. What’s your general observation/thoughts of diversity on campus? </p>

<p>5) Though I don't believe in labels, I've read and heard that Davidson has a "preppy" feel to it. I don't wish to give weight to this rumor, but it seems to me that the label "preppy" carries with it a bad and/or elitist connotation, so I’d like to hear what you have to say, if anything, about this rumor. </p>

<p>6) Lastly, I think the Honor Code system rocks and speaks highly of the academic ethos and integrity of Davidson’s students. It's a lot of trust and responsibility given to the students. How does it actually work? Is it a constant cloud over your head? Any thoughts? </p>

<p>Many of these questions are answered on the school's webpage, but it's been my experience (doing this for the second time around), that students often offer a more nuanced look at their schools vis-a-vis admissions reps. </p>

<p>I know I’ve posed some heavy questions for a novice, so I understand if you don’t feel comfortable answering some of them. </p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

14

<p>Thanks! I do love it here and it seems most people who go here do love it and are very proud of Davidson (without being unpleasantly uppity) -- so I hope you're able to come here and love it, too!
I'll do my best to answer some of your questions -- some I might not be able to answer completely or at all, but I'll give it a shot.</p>

<p>1) I'd like to go ahead and say that the transfer application is almost identical to the freshmen application (Common App), except that it also contains areas about your college grades and class rigor. They also have an essay of a minimum of 100 words asking you to explain the circumstances of your desire to transfer. Common App will have deleted your old account (they delete after you've had it for a full year), but you should be able to create a new one in a matter of five to ten minutes. The short answer and essay questions Davidson will ask you on its supplement are as follows:
-Respond to the importance of the Honor Code
-Explain what qualities about Davidson most appeal to you and what you would contribute to the community
-List the books you've read in the past year and mark which ones were for school and which ones for leisure
-Describe an intellectual experience which has engaged or enlightened you
My advice from here is to GET IN TOUCH with your regional admissions officer. At any other school, that might be a scary or daunting task, but I think all of admissions counselors are really sweet and funny, and eager to get to know you. They don't do interviews, but having a good conversation with them is just as beneficial as a sparkling alumni interview report.</p>

<p>2) I have had a bit of everything in terms of academic evaluation. I've had quizzes (multiple choice, short answer, essay, fill-in-the-blanks, etc.), tests (ditto), and papers. You'll get a bit of everything, depending on what you take.</p>

<p>3) It varies. Classes are capped at 32 (labs at 16), but most of my classes have about 25 students. Some classes read from direct texts and electronic reserves sources, others use textbooks. Three of my four main classes have textbooks; my final course uses a lot of outside readings. It just depends on the nature of the course.</p>

<p>4) On my hall, we have three black students and two international students. All of my classes have minority students and lots of my friends are minorities. I'm a Jew, if that counts for anything. There are lot of white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestants ... but that's not everyone. It could be more diverse, but it could also be worse. </p>

<p>5) You get all kinds. I would say people care about how they look to the extent that most don't roll out of bed into class looking like slobs. People shower daily. Some do the makeup thing. Some dress up. But I've seen everything. You'll find those who are preppy and you'll find those who are rolling in dough ... but in general, I wouldn't call it a majority of students.</p>

<p>6) It's something you think about on a daily basis, but it's not like a constant fear that oh, no! I might do something stupidly dishonest and get in trouble! sort of thing. It makes the school comfortable. Yesterday, I was walking back to my dorm and saw a piece of paper on the grass, held down by a stone. The paper read, "Wallet and Coach sunglasses found here. If they're yours or your friend's, email me at <a href="mailto:_@davidson.edu">_@davidson.edu</a>!" That's typical. The library doesn't have security buzzers at the door -- they know you're not gonna take something without checking it out. People leave their bikes unlocked and valuables around campus. If you leave a bag somewhere, you know it'll be there when you get back. And actually, speaking of the honor code, I'm only online right now because I'm procrastinating working on my take home test for Bio 111! We have take-home tests and self-scheduled exams. I could literally take my test outside on the grass. If I want to take it in the wee hours of the morning or during a meal, I can. It's up to me and the teachers know I'm not going to discuss it with anyone or cheat. It makes for a very pleasant atmosphere, to say the least.</p>

<p>Hope you choose Davidson!! Hope it works out for you!</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

15

<p>0 _ 0 at #6!!! that's so crazy and unusual for a college campus, but amazing!!</p>

16

<p>It is one of the most intriguing aspects of davidson. that's (honor code system) one of the things that, i think, really makes davidson stand out. and for honest students, its a great system (or sounds like it).</p>

17

<p>oh if you have any more time for questions...</p>

<ol>
<li><p>I know you just started, but can you talk a bit to the size of the school? I come from an absolutely tiny high school, and not surprisingly am looking at mostly small liberal arts schools except for two, but Davidson is still about the smallest. Do you feel like you pretty much already know who everyone is? Does it feel like it could be too small in three years or so? Why or why not?</p></li>
<li><p>You've mentioned the diversity you'll find..but does that diversity extend to political beliefs and general ideologies as well? Is there an underlying southern christian type of feel?</p></li>
<li><p>how southern is it? to what extent do you see the southern thing? in what ways? do you like it, or no? I guess maybe that also could depend on where you are from! </p></li>
<li><p>how often do you get off campus? do people go off during the weekends? </p></li>
<li><p>what do you do with all that free time?! haha</p></li>
<li><p>social life? whats it like? im really social, outgoing, big people person, all that, but I've heard rumors that davidson is both very greek oriented and also has a huge workload that forces kids in on saturday nights. im not really sure how those two statements mix, but could you speak a bit to that? </p></li>
<li><p>any other thoughts? what are the dorms like? how has the weather been? whats the lake campus like? attractive people? haha ya know all the random other questions that need to be answered...</p></li>
</ol>

<p>thanks sooo much!!!!!</p>

18

<ol>
<li><p>This was one of my biggest concerns, too, actually! There were 81 other students in my graduating class and I felt like I was under a magnifying glass for all twelve years of my grade-school career. I did not want the same in college. But coming from a school with only 250 in the high school, having 480 in my CLASS alone feels gigantic. While I feel like I've already met and started getting to know tons of people, there are still dozens more for every new person that I have never met before. It's not unusual to run into at least one friend in the halls (since most classes are all in the Chambers building) on your way to class, but there will be certainly times when you will see no one you know around. I love the size. It's not nearly large enough to get swallowed up, but not nearly small enough to feel watched.</p></li>
<li><p>Not at all. I'm in the Young Democrats Club ... along with almost 600 others! I actually have met more liberals and moderates than conservatives! You find extremes of both colors, but no, definitely not.</p></li>
<li><p>I'm from the South (Charleston, SC) and I was always kind of ashamed of that. Just this past summer, I've kind of gotten past that, and the Southern-hospitality feel is almost rather nice for it. Davidson's campus (from an architectural / geographic) simultaneously feels like a New England liberal arts college and a Southern church parish, with a hint of a plantation feel (although more so the former), and it's quite a unique mix. People say ya'll, here. Some of the staff members are a wee bit on the pudgy side and have thick accents. The food is sometimes heavy ... fried food available every day if you want it. And lots of Carolinas students -- almost 18% of the student body comes from North and South Carolina. It is a Southern school ... but not in a bad way. No Confederate flags hanging out of dorm windows. Although there is a pirate flag hanging out of one across from my dorm :-)</p></li>
<li><p>I get off campus more than most people, and that's roughly three to five times a week. Usually, I'm headed to Mooresville for the Super Target or Huntersville for the mall, but sometimes I go into Charlotte to South Park Mall. A few of my friends are going this Friday to Carowinds.<br>
Davidson is not a suitcase-school. People stay here for the weekends for two reasons. One, there's always something fun going on (always parties, Union Board events, outside speakers/guests) and two, there's always tons of work to do. People who live in the surrounding area sometimes go home for a weekend here or there, but mostly everyone sticks around. I have friends from Charlotte / around who have yet to go home. For example, Stephen Curry is from Charlotte, but he says he rarely goes home and his parents only come to visit to watch his games.</p></li>
<li><p>I procrastinate! I party, hang out with girls on my hall, Facebook/answer CC questions(!), grab a community bike and take a spin around campus, go to the movies with my boyfriend, etc. And of course I study, too, sometimes :P
Actually, it's a lot of studying. And the nice thing about this SOUTHERN campus is the weather is LOVELY right now, so I can always study outside if I want. My friends up at Yale and Harvard are already complaining to me about how cold it is. It won't get cold here till December, and it'll be warming up in late-February.</p></li>
<li><p>Social life is great. Don't know where you've heard the Saturday night rumor, but it's definitely not true. No one works after 5pm on either Friday or Saturday. A lot of people do their weekend homework early Friday afternoon, Saturday morning / afternoon, and/or anytime on Sunday. In fact, Sundays are kind of quiet here. Some people get antisocial on Sundays just because they've been partying all weekend and have to get all their work done in one day.<br>
Davidson does have a big Greek life scene for the guys. About half the guys join fraternities (you can't join until second semester, freshmen year, but all the parties are open by midnight, down in the court, save formals/semiformals) and more than two thirds of the girls join eating houses. You DON'T HAVE TO in order to have a social life ... again, the parties are open. But lots of people do it. You don't have to be involved if you do join. There are always fun activities going on at the union and especially freshmen year, there are lots of "hall-bonding" activities like intramural flickerball, the freshmen olympics, and so on.</p></li>
<li><p>Dorms are great! I'm in Watts, so I'm spoiled silly. My room is gigantic and very nice. Our lounge has a huge comfy sofa and a massive 55" LCD tv. The weather is gorgeous. Some rain this year, but that's good because last year there was a drought. The Lake Campus is nice, but very far away. You definitely have to have a car or be friends with someone who has a car to get there. But it's open to all students for use, and you can get PE credits there -- like, water skiing, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, etc. Nice facilities. The people here are very attractive. The first thing I noticed about the guys is that they're all quite tall. The thing about Davidson students is that they care about how they look to the extent that they don't look sloppy -- everyone is always sort of dressy casual. (Well, almost everyone, although today I definitely wore my running clothes to class) Which is why we have the "preppy" reputation. People just look good!</p></li>
</ol>

<p>If you have other questions, I'm more than happy to answer! :-)</p>

19

<p>Hey, I had asked some questions similar to what i am about to ask before, but the thread seems to have disappeared. I wanted to expand upon the questions ... anyway: </p>

<p>How pretentious/ haughty are people? (like very few people, some people, many, or not very, wholly, etc)</p>

<p>Can you notice much/any degree of social/racial self-segregation (whites with whites, blacks with blacks, ultra-rich w/.. jocks.. religious.. etc etc, basically do 'birds of a feather flock together' to some or any degree, or is it not apparent at all, everyone mixes super well?) </p>

<p>are people more likely to feign intellectual disinterest (or have genuine disinterestedness) or openly show intellectual interestedness/start convos, etc?</p>

<p>thanks a bunch amplifiar for all your help!! haha the admissions office should commend you. I'm sure i'll be giving you a thank you if I end up @ Davidson!</p>

20

<p>People are surprisingly not pretentious or haughty at all, I have found. If I had to attach a percentage to the number of sincere, nice, and genuine students, as opposed to those that are predominantly arrogant, I would give more than 90%. The 10% of students that are not nice find each other, love each other, and are ignored by those they snub. Unlike in high school, people will take you for who you are. If you're an ass, people will see you as such. If you're kind and stay true to yourself (cliché, I'll grant), people will more likely like you.</p>

<p>I think there is a degree of self-segregation, particularly racially, and I think Davidson itself is partly to blame. Prior to orientation, there was a two or three day bonding program called S.T.R.I.D.E. for racial and ethnic minority students, as well as international students (new and old international students come a week or two before anyone else arrives on campus so that they can get acclimated to the language differences and whatnot). S.T.R.I.D.E. tends to rub me the wrong way. I think that all it ultimately accomplishes is singling out minority students and causing them to self-segregate. Typically (although certainly not always) a person's first college friends are the ones they get to know during orientation and pre-class programs. If all the minority students have only each other to start out with, the majority of their first college friends will just be other minority students and the whole point of diversifying the company of the student body is dropped for both minority and caucasian students.
Now. That said. There are no halls for just minority or international students. I have three black girls on my hall and two international (Ghana and Turkey), and then we have religious diversity, too, from agnostics to diehard Christians to a Jew and a Muslim (the first of which is much more of a deist and the latter much more of an atheist). Freshmen halls are really tight -- most of the time, you will love every single person on your hall and spend lots of time with them. This is one reason why so many returning students end up rooming with their freshmen roommates and living near or with other kids from their freshmen hall. So, at least on the hall-level, there is assimilation.<br>
To clarify, people ARE friends with people outside their own race, ethnic, and social backgrounds. They sit with each other at lunch, go to parties together, etc. There just seems to be a tendency towards some self-segregation probably due in part to programs like S.T.R.I.D.E.<br>
Also, I want to make it clear that there is no overt, nor even subtle, racism or discrimination. I seldom even hear remarks in jest. People are very mature and respectful of differing backgrounds and births.
Religiously, everyone seems to blend very well, because there really are just SO many more beliefs than are specified within individual religious sects. Regional differences always factor into that sort of thing. Religion is a private practice at Davidson -- if you're religious, you can find a group that worships like you do and meet with them at churches, Jewish life, Bible studies on campus, etc. But not many people go around talking about religion. It's not that the subject is taboo or purposefully avoided, so much that it's not exactly light conversation and after nursing a Davidson workload for months, you're mostly going to be looking for light chit chat as opposed to philosophical discussion. Not that philosophical discussions outside of class never happen, but you know how teens are.
Jocks tend to flock together, especially the varsity athletes. Every day, you'll see the football team come into dinner and eat together at one or two long tables (it always gets SO much quieter in the dining hall after they leave haha) and every day you'll see the wonderfully famous basketball team all eating together. And the women's soccer team and the cross country team and so on and so forth. The teams are so used to spending almost all of their time together that they don't tend to branch out as much.
Overall, however, I would say the Davidson community is very well blended with the occasional clump of self-segregated individuals, for varying reasons.</p>

<p>I'm not entirely sure what you're asking in this third question, and I think partly because I'm not sure if you meant disinterested (impartial, unbiased) or uninterested (apathetic) =P
But I'm guessing you're asking if people try to act smarter than they are? Not really. Everyone here is pretty sharp. Few flaunt it (although when one person starts, everyone feels obligated to match him).</p>

<p>Sure thing! I'm more than happy to help! I truly love my Davidson experience and I love getting others excited about it, too!
Good luck with your remaining college applications and with the work of senior year! If you have any more questions, just ask away, as always!</p>