I have less than a week left until I have to make the decision but I can’t decide between the two schools. I’ve visited them and feel like I would be a good fit in either.
What are some pros and cons of both schools? (Especially for a math major?)
Reed appears in a Princeton Review sampling, “Great Schools for Mathematics Majors,” and would seem to be an excellent choice for the study of math.
Reed is very quirky and intense. Which is awesome for the right student. They have great outcomes too.
Davidson is also fantastic. Surprisingly it doesn’t get mentioned a lot on CC. Great academics, beautiful campus and a more conventional student body/social experience imho. Great hoops team too.
Depending on which profile fits you better, you have your answer.
Congrats on two great choices!!
While different in many ways I can see a common thread – both Davidson and Reed are very rigorous and intellectual LACs with strong sense of who they are.
Is there a cost difference between the two for you? Drawn to east or west coast?
My D is first year at Davidson and loves it. Davidson is known for its strong sense of community and its honor code. You will work very hard if you go there. She’s planing to minor in math and just got an REU to do paid research this summer in the midwest in a combo math/bio program. Her major is bio and she’s on PhD/research track. I know the bio depart is big and considered very strong. I don’t know as much about the math profile at the college. I encourage you to look at course listings, read prof profiles at both colleges to get a sense.
I have seen stats indicating that Reed is a top feeder to PhD programs. Davidson does well too, but is a bit more pre-professional. Lot of pre-med and pre-law. Also great humanities program, strong art history and poli sci too. Fair number of economics majors aiming for banking. New entrepreneurship hub too that’s very cool. If you haven’t looked yet, Davidson has a lot of grad outcomes stats and reports on its website – worth checking out.
While she’s liberal and the college overall skews liberal/moderate, it was intellectually important to her to not be in a place where there’s too much ‘group think.’ Davidson fits that bill.
Davidson has a huge and active outdoors program – Davidson Outdoors. There are many hiking, climbing, kayaking, caving, etc. trips throughout the school year. Davidson is only 1.5 hours to some awesome national forests in the mountains. There’s also a college-owned ‘lake campus’ which is great for R&R, sailing, kayaking, etc.
Davidson has fraternities/eating houses which is a differentiator. They are pretty low key compared to many places b/c they aren’t residential. But worth a mention as that may be a plus or minus for you.
Great and generally mild weather. Charlotte is a big airport with non-stop flights pretty much anywhere. That said, Reed has more urban feel b/c it’s in Portland while Davidson is 20 miles from Charlotte. Of course, you’ve visited so you know that already…
Finally, Davidson ranks near the top in alumni satisfaction and ‘grateful grads.’ It has a large endowment with generous, no loan financial aid. It’s about 1/3 students of color which is pretty good for an LAC.
Again, congrats on your two great ‘finalists’ and feel free to PM with any more specific questions. And keep us posted on your decision – the clock is ticking. 
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@metalsnake10 – Do you have an update?
Thank you all for your responses; I took them into serious consideration!
After reading about both colleges a little more, I committed to Davidson yesterday. It was a super hard decision, but when it came down to it, Davidson offered more financial aid. I was drawn to Reed’s beauty and environment but Davidson seems to offer more sports and the Greek life is definitely a plus.
I’m excited to join the Davidson class of 2023!
Congrats to you!!! I think you made an awesome choice and remember – It’s a Great Day to Be a Wildcat!!
Go Cats! You’re going to love it! 
Best of luck to you at Davidson, @metalsnake10!
If the Greek life at Davidson was a plus, then I think you probably made the right decision. That is not meant in a negative sense, but Greek as a plus does not really seem like Reed would be the best fit. Best, ATS
Congrats! All things considered, I believe you made the best choice. Good luck!