Davidson vs. Furman

<p>How do Davidson College and Furman compare? What are the students like at each school (what do they do, what do they wear etc.)? What's the "feel" of each school? I'm mostly looking for information on the student bodies but if anyone can compare Davidson and Furman academics, social life, campuses, food, overall experience, that would be great!</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>I don’t know much about these schools but I usually think of Davidson as significantly more prestigious than Furman, if that affects your decision at all.</p>

<p>Furman and Davidson are rivals in many areas. Sort of like Princeton vs Harvard. They both like being better than the other. FU and DC are both liberal arts colleges. DC has about 1/2 the students as FU. DC is near Charlotte NC and FU is near Greenville SC.</p>

<p>DC is ranked around 10th and FU around 40th. I hear the DC students are obsessed with studying. Nowadays, if you walk around FU you will see jeans t-shirts, shorts, sandals etc. FU has a preppy side though depending on who you hang around.</p>

<p>If this is a major concern for you, I suggest you visit both schools. Its the only way you understand.</p>

<p>In terms of academic reputation, it’s not really a comparison. Davidson is an elite liberal arts college, Furman is a decent one. This will be reflected in the student body. They probably have similar “feels.”</p>

<p>I’ve visited both and agree with most of the comments above. I don’t think there is a major discernable difference in terms of the “type” of students you will encounter. However, Furman being a bit larger felt like a less intense atmoshpere which can either be good or bad depending on what kind of experience you want. I also thought Greenville was a very nice place - it definitely exceeded my expectations (but I will admit they weren’t very high in the beginning). </p>

<p>The people at both schools were quite cordial, friendly, etc. I wouldn’t describe either as big party schools, but if I had to guess I’d say Furman tends to be a little more subdued in that respect. Again, not sure there is a big enough distinction to make a big point of it one way or the other. </p>

<p>Ultimately my kids chose different schools, but between Davidson and Furman I think they favored Furman. But that was mostly because of a few specific programs of interest. I think they liked Furman’s campus a little better too, although Davidson’s was also quite nice.</p>

<p>my oldest son is a Davidson graduate, the younger son is a sophomore at Furman-both love their schools. We are supporters of both. The student body at Davidson is somewhat more academically stronger but both schools provide a rigorous education. Older son is graduating from medical school next month, younger son well on his way to Law School. Both with solid educations. No complaints with either.</p>

<p>Davidson and Furman are both very rigorous academically… Davidson is my alma mater and my son attends Furman…He choose Furman over Davidson, even with receiving merit money from both schools…If you are a bright student with an excellent work ethic you will do well at either Furman or Davidson…Davidson is smaller making it more difficult to get admitted…If you know Davidson is the school for you, their acceptance rate is over 50% early decision…Davidson will have more students from the Northeast and from elite private highschools…You will hear more Southern accents at Furman for sure, however they are working on more national recognition and diversity…There are very big merit awards given to exceptional students from areas outside the Southeast and to minorities by Furman…Davidson does not have nearly as many merit scholarships as Furman…Davidson does not need to do this as they are more well known nationally, specifically to expensive private highschools whose parents can afford full tuition…Personally, I was hoping my son would have followed in my footsteps, but when he decided on Furman, my husband (Chapel Hill Alum) and I had no reservations whatsoever…There are many Davidson alumni whose children attend or have graduated from Furman…Both are excellent schools and dear to my heart…I loved my college days at Davidson and my son loves Furman and so far his college experience has been amazing.</p>