<p>I just read a long thread about "fit" and "culture" of colleges. I understand the concepts, but find it difficult to measure this from websites, etc. Reading CC regularly helps, but I was wondering if students (or others) would comment on their perception of the academic, social and political culture at Davidson. I'm not trying to judgemental at all (no discussions about good or bad), just trying to understand what it is like to live there.
Thanks</p>
<p>Davidson is made up of, predominantly, nice, upper-middle class kids who want to be academically challenged, but know how to have a good time. Politics here are moderate. Socially, all options are available, from fraternities(that are non-residential) to just hanging out with like-minded friends. I have found the 4 years here to be near idyllic-just what you imagined college to be like when you were dreaming about it in high school. I shall miss it.</p>
<p>living at davidson is kind of bland to tell the truth; when they say moderate politics, they really mean no one cares about them. Also, very few people show up for much of anything, including clubs, events, etc. organized by the student body. people here as a whole seem extremely unopinionated. the social life is pretty weak, since it consists of basically only two things, drinking and joining a pseudo-frat. don't expect to have a great social life if you don't drink- the college basically forces it down your throat. (I know this because i don't drink, and the only other people that don't are rumored to be socially inept) The big deal here is sports, especially basketball, as 24% of the student body consists of varsity athletes. there ARE different kinds of people at davidson, but different kinds usually exist in extremely small numbers. you'll find a certain type of person to be "popular" at davidson- if u come visit you'll see what i'm talking about; thats probably why so many people say that everyone at the school is the same. also what struck me when i got here is the southernness. that's something no one tells you about, cuz if you come from a big city or up north/west/midwest somewhere, it seems like southern people are just about oblivious to their southern-ness. lots of people come from the deep south, and while davidson as a whole isn't really southern, its southern enough to notice.</p>
<p>the academics here are really top notch. the teachers are usually very good teachers, as in they really make you learn. however, my one complaint academically is with the students: there is almost insane competition to be as normal/boring as possible. everyone seems to want to be on the fast track to upper-middle classhood- a lot of people don't really set very extreme goals for themselves. but if you ignore that (if you want), and do your own thing, then you can really take advantage of the academics, cuz they're really really good.</p>
<p>also one thing i almost forgot to mention: in addition to the "white flood" (aka like 75% white) davidson is probably the only school ranked this high that has nearly a complete lack of asians. its almost ridiculous. i may be biased (since i am asian), but yea, there are NO asians here. i think its like 2% asian, but i'm used to much larger asian percentages. it's kind of funny, because they have an Asian Cultural Awareness Association, but its intended for those whose ancestors came from the CONTINENT of asia, as if everyone from the continent has the same cultural values and traditions.</p>
<p>oh well, thers davidson</p>
<p>I think that for an asian, the above posters comments are correct, Davidson has had great trouble in recruiting them to the school-it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy-they rare asian that goes to Davidson does not fit in to the overwhelmingly white upper middle class student body and then discourages others from attending. Sort as if a southern white student attended a california school(>50% asian)-might feel uncomfortable, especially if they do not try to fit in. Many options to choose from, depending on what you want.</p>
<p>While I respect your take on Davidson, ohsix, I have had a very different experience at Davidson. I have loved my time at Davidson and I feel that I could not be happier anywhere else. </p>
<p>For starters, I disagree with your statement that Davidson students do not care about politics. Plenty of Davidson students are passionate about political issues and it is very evident on campus. Sometimes I feel as if I cannot make it through an entire dinner conversation without getting on the subject of politics. I do not think that the college republican and democrat groups are that active. Maybe I have just not noticed the things they have done. I think that most students channel their activism through supporting certain issues, such as gay rights, rather than certain political parties. We are also a student body that is very concerned about social justice. There are so many ways to get involved with serving others, and most students take advantage of these, whether it's by tutoring at the nearby center for underpriviledged children, translating at the free health clinic, or going on medical missions with the Timmy foundation.</p>
<p>Also, my take on the social life is very different than ohsix's take. I have found a wonderful social life at Davidson and I, too, am a non-drinker. In fact, I find Davidson to be a school at which the non-drinkers and drinkers socialize more than at a typical school where the fraternities and sororities are residential and parties are exclusive. All the parties at the court are open and anyone can go dance the night away. I tend to go down there a couple times a month and have a wonderful, sober time with my friends. No one cares whether or not you are drunk. If parties are not your thing, there are always activities planned by the union board and Charlotte is but a short drive away. Basically, you are going to find a group of friends and with that group of friends you are always going to find fun things to do. Overall, I would say that the social life for non-drinkers at Davidson is much better than at other schools I looked at or that my friends attend.</p>
<p>Academics are challenging and the professors are wonderful. I never cease to be amazed by how intelligent and accomplished the professors AND the students are at Davidson. Davidson is truly a place that prides itself on giving its students the best education possible. There is no grade inflation at all like there tends to be at other institutions, and sometimes that is frustrating. </p>
<p>As for your concerns about Davidson's "southern-ness," might I ask why you chose to attend a school in the south if you are so opposed to it? I don't really understand what you mean by this comment and I really don't understand what you mean when you say that the students are oblivious to their "southern-ness." Maybe you can clarify this. If you are implying that the south is inferior to the rest of the nation, you are buying into a common, unfounded generalization. Maybe you should get out more and realize how many very intelligent, accomplished people live in the south. After all, those southern students are clearly just as smart and accomplished as you are judging by the fact that they were admitted to and attend the same school as you do. Would you like to clarify your point further, ohsix?</p>
<p>Yes, diversity, or lackthereof, is an issue that Davidson is trying to settle. Davidson wants more diversity, but it is hard to attract diverse people when a school has such a reputation for being so homogenous. It is currently one of the school's top priorities and most students are hoping the admissions office will succeed in attracting a more diverse student body.</p>
<p>I hope this helps you evaluate Davidson's culture, Aardvark. I truly could not be happier at a school and I encourage you to come visit the school and stay overnight. See for yourself. See if it's best for you. It's really hard to judge a school based on accounts by 3 current students. Clearly we have all had very different experiences. Best of luck to you in your college search process!</p>
<p>Thanks for the input. It's nice to get several opinions from people who are living it. Any other opinons would certainly be welcomed.</p>
<p>My compliments on a good discussion about a college's culture. Just reading a few varied opinions gives prospective applicants a really good sense of Davidson.</p>
<p>Davidson is synonymous with culture-refined appreciation of artistic and intellectual achievement,sophistication,breeding taste,urbanity,aristocratic,polished....</p>
<p>i don't know if politics at davidson are really that popular. yea, people may have opinions on certain issues, but who doesn't? I'm comparing davidson to other colleges, and i've never even heard of any sort of political demonstration on campus. and of course, people are heavily involved in community service, but imo that doesn't really fall under the category of political interest.</p>
<p>and yea, court parties can be kinda fun if you aren't drinking, i suppose. it is true that you should have a group of friends if you are a non drinker to enjoy yourself. i found that alot of people who said they didn't drink started drinking in college, sometimes with some disastrous results. because davidson is so small, and so many people drink, i think this makes it harder for non drinkers. someone told me (though i'm not sure if this is true or not) that davidson has one of the highest percentages of drinkers per student in the nation. </p>
<p>I wasn't saying that southern-ness is a bad thing, it's just something striking, like a new jersey accent if youve never heard it before. it stands out.</p>
<p>also when i was reading through college descriptions my senior year of high school, different takes on a school helped me out alot. most of what ive read about davidson is pretty utopian... very few negative things were said about it, and everyone seemed to be having the time of their life. people here really do seem to like it, and my experience with davidson hasn't been bad, just not as spectacular as everyone else's.</p>
<p>I am a freshman at Davidson, and thought I'd weigh in on the drinking/social issue.</p>
<p>I am a rare drinker and only drank like 2 times first semester. While the court is sometimes fun (and definitely more fun while drinking) there are many other things to do on the weekends. There are always union events such as concerts, student performances, movies, free food, and games like capture the flag. Many students also attend the sporting events on friday nights. Basketball and soccer games are especially popular. A lot of students relax, watch movies, and go out to dinner on the weekends. It is also fun to explore Charlotte and the area around davidson. I have been off campus to go bowling, play laser tag, and go contra dancing. Davidson Outdoors also leads trips about every other weekend, a fun way to get out of campus and meet new people. </p>
<p>Overall, I think the court gets too much publicity as the only thing to do on the weekends. I usually find I have too many other fun things to do to even go near the court. People at Davidson have so many different interests that it is easy to find someone doing an activity you enjoy.</p>
<p>Cat08 ... you've no contact info. Would you mind PMing me, pleez.</p>