Davidson or Williams?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Davidson College
1

<p>Hello fellow CC'ers,</p>

<p>I was admitted this year to both Davidson College and Williams College, but I do not know where I should attend. I am looking for any thoughts/advice you may have about either school. If you want to know what kind of student I am, I'll give some general information below. Thanks for any help; it is greatly appreciated!</p>

<ul>
<li>Male, Straight</li>
<li>Quirky/Nerdy/Semi-Outgoing/Very Opinionated</li>
<li>Not interested in detrimental academic competition at a college</li>
<li>Huge passion for learning/greatly intrigued by any learning experience</li>
<li>Undecided major</li>
<li>Extremely interested in business as a future job (management, administration, Wall Street, investment firm, etc.)</li>
<li>Undecided as to whether grad school is in the future. Maybe, maybe not.</li>
<li>Possible majors at a liberal arts school (in order of likelihood): Economics, Math, Spanish, and Theology</li>
<li>Interested in sports, such as volleyball, tennis, or any other sport, at the intramural/club level in college</li>
<li>Enjoying being able to learn, relax, and have a good time</li>
<li>If I go to a party, I socialize but do not drink or do drugs. I could probably be best described as a goodie two shoes.</li>
<li>I want to be involved in the community. Trust is important to me as well as close relationships with students and professors.</li>
<li>I do not really like cold weather</li>
<li>The smaller the class size, the better</li>
<li>Interested in peer education-type extracurriculars (mentoring) as well as some involvement with relgion (Christianity)</li>
<li>Want to be in an environment where people WANT to learn/be involved</li>
<li>Interested in strong school spirit, being able to cheer on Varsity teams</li>
</ul>

<p>I think that's more than enough for now. If I forgot anything important, please just ask. I'm also going to post this thread in the Williams forum so I can get differing viewpoints. Thanks again for any contributions.</p>

2

<p>Hello :slight_smile: I’m going to be a freshman at Davidson next year and I’d love even more CCers to be Cats next year, so I’ll argue the case for us.</p>

<p>First, in terms of prestige, yes, Williams is ranked higher and probably more people have heard of it. But in terms of fit, I’m thinking Davidson for you. Maybe I’m biased. But I love Davidson and chose it over more prestigious universities, and I hope that others will too.</p>

<p>From looking at the information you supplied, you seem like a really cool guy who would fit in really well at Davidson. You describe yourself as “Quirky/Nerdy/Semi-Outgoing/Very Opinionated”, which is stellar for the discussion-based, intimate classroom environment at Davidson. Quirky is great-I’m quirky too, who doesn’t love a quirk? Nerdy and opinionated will only make you stand out in class. And semi-outgoing is great too. Average class size 15, student faculty ratio 10:1, very rarely a class over 30. You can’t get much better than that. You also mention that you are not interested in academic competition. Due to the honor code, people are not going to mess each other up on purpose. The impression I receive from Davidson tells me that we will be working with each other, not against or for. I don’t know about Williams, but I love the supportive community that Davidson has to offer. People at Davidson come because they want to learn, first and foremost above anything. And you don’t have to declare a major until sophomore year, so that’s not a problem. Davidson offers all of the majors you presented, and from learning basically everything through the core requirements, it will be easy for you to figure out which one/s you want to major in. </p>

<p>Davidson does offer club and intramural sports-most students are involved in sports. Obviously, Davidson is a Division 1 school and has very good Varsity teams. This means that there is a TON of school spirit, and people are very intense about basketball and football at Davidson! On YouTube, there are videos of the Davidson community holding a pep rally for the basketball team and it looks awesome. Williams is D3.</p>

<p>It’s also very easy to get involved if you are less serious than D1. Apparently, flickerball has some pretty tough competition! Davidson also has a physical education requirement in which you can sign up for a specific sport, so that’s another great way to get in shape and play sports.</p>

<p>I have heard that it is very easy to not drink but still fit in at Davidson. The Alvarez College Union puts on many fun events that you would definitely be able to go to. Plus, there are all the student organizations you can join. Most students will drink, like at any school, but Davidson students are built around an aura of respect and trust for each other that makes it very difficult to openly mock someone for not drinking. You would be totally fine at Davidson. Oh, and basically no one does drugs at Davidson-honor code! :)</p>

<p>I have contacted quite a few students about Davidson, and they always tell me about all of the community service they can do. There are mentoring programs in the schools, CatsConnect (upperclassmen match with underclassmen to help them adjust to college life), philanthropic clubs, service through Greek life, and even the pre-frosh service Odyssey trip.</p>

<p>It’ll be MUCH colder at Williams. No doubt. It snows maybe once a year in North Carolina.</p>

<p>Davidson is loosely affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, but offers services and organizations for whatever your religious preference.</p>

<p>Feel free to PM me if you want anymore pro-Davidson arguments. I could go on for years.</p>

3

<p>OK, let’s be honest. It’s not that much warmer in North Carolina. I moved from South Korea to Georgia and I still complain about the cold weather. Yes I have been to Charlotte, I wouldn’t exactly call it warm there. It snowed for like a month straight this winter, and it was freezing temperature for longer than that. Want warm weather? Go to Pomona.</p>

4

<p>That kind of doesn’t help, considering he’s deciding between Williams and Davidson…</p>

<p>Both have cold weather, but Davidson has less.</p>

5

<p>Dancepsychlove, thanks for such a detailed response! The small class sizes and Honor Code really stand out at Davidson. In fact, the school I go to now is small and has an Honor Code (not as impactful as Davidson’s though). As a prospective student, though, everything I’ve heard about the Honor Code is more theoretical. I feel like unless I were to live on campus for a while, I wouldn’t be able to realize its actual effects. I’m wondering if anyone (Davidson students especially) can comment on the effects of the Honor Code. How does the Honor Code affect underage drinking? Are students obligated to turn in classmates they see drinking and know are underage?</p>

<p>I consider North Carolina to have great weather, especially since I live a little farther north. Going south, the weather can only improve. Lullinatalk, I feel like the climates are different enough to consider. Winter can be very dreary.</p>

6

<p>Williams is in the middle of nowhere and Davidson is 25 minutes from Charlotte. The weather is very different.</p>

<p>These are significatn differences.</p>

<p>The education is first rate, at both, and you will work hard at both, play hard if you want, at both. But, you will be closer to a city at Davidson, as you age out of the college experience and move towards adulthood. It may not seem like a big difference now, but it will be. For some that will be a +, for others, who want to be far from the crowds, it will be a -. </p>

<p>Have you visited both? Where did you feel most “at home?”</p>

<p>As for the list of things you want from a school? You will find mostly all of that at both schools. Good luck. </p>

<p>You actually don’t have a bad choice here.</p>

7

<p>I visited both Davidson and Williams over the summer before my senior year. I liked both, but I probably felt a little more “at home” at Davidson. I’m going to spend overnights at both schools within the next few weeks. I think these trips will really help with the choice because I can refresh on what each campus is like.</p>

8

<p>I spent several days at Davidson last year, and while there IS an underage drinking scene (like pretty much every college), the people I stayed with there really bonded over their decision not to drink. And they were really awesome. You won’t be alone with that one.</p>

<p>The first effects of the honor code that come to mind are community bikes (if you see one, you can pick it up and just ride it wherever you need to go and leave it there! awesome, except that they mostly seem to end up at the bottom of the hill ;)), and exams/assignments…for example, I sat in on a class where the professor handed out an assignment in a sealed envelope and told her class that they could do it any time during the next week, but after they opened the envelope they would only have 24 hours to complete it. Obviously the professor couldn’t control that, but the class needed to “pledge” their work, i.e. swear that they had followed the instructions, and it is assumed that everyone will honor that pledge.</p>

<p>by the way, I’m feeling the “too much at once” at the moment, as well.</p>

9

<p>toomuch–</p>

<p>I’m glad you will be going back to visit. I think that’s the best move.</p>

<p>When you are there, pay attention to the pros and cons. Ask questions and really pay attention to where you are. I mean, pay attention what surrounds the campus. It isn’t only the campus, and that can matter.</p>

<p>Pay attention to the other students and how they are. Go to the library, the work out center, and look for things you don’t like as well as what you do like. The things you don’t like may fall into minor categories or major. You are dealing with a great education, whichever campus. So, now, it’s about the rest of it.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

10

<p>Both are very good schools, but Williams is in fact, and by acclaim, academically stronger, has a higher per student endowment/resources and is more highly regarded by top graduate and professional schools. The choice is similar to Duke vs. Princeton (in terms of climate, academics, prestige, etc.).</p>

11

<p>Suitcases, thanks for your input. The leninacy that accompanies Davidson’s Honor Code is definitely nice! Having experienced student life at Davidson, your thoughts are really helpful.</p>

<p>poetgrl, I will definitely be on my toes during both of my visits. There’s so much to absorb, and I need to find where I fit in.</p>

<p>Does anyone have any information on where Davidson tends to send its economics students? Williams appears to be a better “feeder” school, but I don’t really know where Davidson graduates normally end up.</p>

12

<p>To your question about turning in underage students, that won’t be a concern for you. Drinking questions do not fall under the honor code, rather under the code of responsibility. It’s a completely different system</p>

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<p>Let us know what you decide!! I really hope you become a Wildcat with me, but Williams is an amazing school as well. Either way, you’re guaranteed an awesome education.</p>

14

<p>Too much–</p>

<p>Go by the career placement office while you are there and ask them that question. It’s a very good question.</p>

<p>I would imagine they do fine. Charlotte is actually one of the biggest banking cities in the country. Consider that Bank of America’s headquarters are there, just to start. But do ask. Ask, in fact, at both schools.</p>

15

<p>I agree w many posters above - Davidson looks like a better fit for you. As a relocated Yankee, the weather is wonderful here in NC. Summers too humid, yes, but students are off then. Honor code is big at Davidson - and there is a comfortable religiosity that is welcomed but not forced. My S is deciding between Williams and Pomona - looked at Davidson but too close to home…</p>

<p>[Here[/url</a>] is a link to recent Davidson grads and where they go to work/grad school. Page 11 shows jobs landed in economics - pretty respectable companies. And don’t let “feeder school” data bias you. [url=&lt;a href=“WSJ in Higher Education | Trusted News & Real-World Insights”&gt;WSJ in Higher Education | Trusted News & Real-World Insights]This</a> WSJ 2004 study](<a href=“http://www3.davidson.edu/cms/documents/StudentLife/CareerServices/Senior%20Survey%202010%20Final%20Master3111.pdf]Here[/url”>http://www3.davidson.edu/cms/documents/StudentLife/CareerServices/Senior%20Survey%202010%20Final%20Master3111.pdf)had a northern bias as they considered top grad schools like Columbia, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Yale, Chicago, Dartmouth, MIT, Penn, and Michigan, but left out schools like Duke, Emory, UNC, Wake Forest, Vanderbilt and UVA.</p>

<p>By all means visit both - then go with your gut.</p>

16

<p>SarahsDad, thank you very much for the link - very informative! :)</p>

<p>I’m visiting Davidson soon, so I’ll post how it goes. Any other comments? Everyone has been so helpful.</p>

<p>One thing I’m worried about at Davidson is the party scene. Is it divided at all because of the D1 sports teams? Williams seems to be very open towards everyone, but I’m afraid Davidson may have more cliques.</p>

17

<p>Our freshman S recently commented that despite the teams, frats and other organizations he finds that the social walls are very porous and he feels welcome virtually everywhere.</p>

18

<p>Thanks everyone for all of your opinions and help! After visiting Davidson again, I have chosen to attend Williams!!! (To my surprise,) I felt like Williams was a better fit for me. For what it’s worth, I’d be happy to PM my thoughts to any other prospective student who is also trying to choose.</p>

19

<p>Congrats! Of course I’m disappointed you didn’t choose Davidson, but I probably would choose the #1 LAC over the #9 too…
Have a very good 4 years at Williams!</p>

20

<p>Dancepsychelove,</p>

<p>Thanks. I hope you have a great four years at Davidson! It’s a great school, and I’m sure you’ll make the most of it.</p>