<p>I hear a lot of people talk about how challenging the academics at Davidson are. Lots of complaints about grade deflation and a continually massive workload. It's often too hard. How much truth is there to that? I know it's a good school, but how hard is too hard? I want to consider Davidson as a school to transfer to, but I'm intimidated by the reputation it has for being overly challenging. I want a challenging school, but I don't want to drown. I'm smart, but I can be a procrastinator and I didn't have perfect grades in high school. I just want to make sure I can handle it before transferring.</p>
<p>If they accept you they think you can do the work. I know a few students who went to Davidson and yes, it was hard (it is college), but it was not impossible or unreasonable. </p>
<p>I had the same reservations about attending Wake Forest with all of the “Work Forest” talk. This was mostly because I was more of an average-ish applicant. I did not have perfect grades, or stellar SAT’s, but I managed to (without tooting my own horn) graduate with honors in 3.5 years. </p>
<p>Yes, I found it to be difficult and challenging, but not impossible by any means. At a school like Davidson, it will be integral to develop good relationships with your professors (it is a small, intimate school), because they want you to succeed. </p>
<p>Davidson is a fantastic school and you will be receiving a top-notch education, so do not have reservations–instead prepare to work hard and get a lot out of it.</p>
<p>would it be hard to transfer into? socially, i mean, since it’s such a small school.</p>
<p>I would probably talk to some kids who go to Davidson. However, in my experience, the students transferring will need to be very outgoing (especially at small schools). The students who adjust the best are the ones who either immediately got involved in something they are interested in or got involved in Greek life. You know yourself better than anyone, so you need to evaluate whether you can make the transition work, but I think with a positive attitude you can!</p>
<p>The best advice on transfering is this:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Examine honestly why you are transfering. Is it you or is it the school/students there? What is your real motivation?</p></li>
<li><p>In all things be yourself. Whether an incoming freshman or as a transfering sophomore, be yourself. There will always be somebody who likes you and you will like them. Being insecure about who you are only exacerbates the problem. </p></li>
<li><p>I am not a big fan of transfering. I am more inclined to tell kids to try and stick it out because the reasons you selected that school are still there. Transfering for mere prestige is not a good decision. But other compelling reasons can surface and so long as you are honest (including with yourself), then that is okay. Mistakes happen and people change all the time. Life is too short to be miserable for four years. Just be honest.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I am definitely not transferring for prestige since I already go to a fairly prestigious school (although actually Davidson might still be higher ranked… not quite sure). I want to transfer because, honestly, I’m just not happy at the school I’m attending. It might mostly be the student body. As far as academics go, my school is great, but I don’t like the community as much as I thought I would, and Greek Life is far too big of a deal for my liking. I was told it didn’t matter if you were independent or not, but it does, so it’s already almost Thanksgiving break and I have yet to be able to connect with many people on campus. </p>
<p>Is that a good enough reason to transfer, or do I need to give it time? I love everything I’ve read about Davidson, and I might want to transfer… I’m just worried I’ll come across the same issues I’m struggling with now.</p>