Got Questions about Davidson?

<p>Thanks for this thread! I’m really considering Davidson now so I was wondering if you could address the following paragraph that was mentioned in another thread.</p>

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<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>Yes, it is absolutely true that Davidson does not give out a whole lot of merit awards. But what they make up in need based aid is worth it. However, the claims about professors giving preferential treatment to merit students is false. Why would every single Davidson student comment on how accessible the professors are, and how challenging yet helpful they are? I think the person who wrote that does not truly know what the academic life of Davidson is like and is judging it based on maybe what one bitter person told them. It does not seem like they talked to many non-Belk students. Most of merit awards are for special interests (minus the Belk scholarship, and Presidential awards). Perhaps the professors are interested to meet them, but like any place, anyone has to prove themself in class. Belk students probably get grants many times because they have to be extraordinary to get that scholarship in the first place.
I would take some of that with a grain of salt. I encourage you to browse all of the other insider websites about Davidson, and notice that not one of the posts on any of the websites mentions those claims.</p>

<p>:) It is always a great day to be a Wildcat. Please do not let one person’s posts discourage you from this wonderful place.</p>

<p>Thank you. Another question: How’s the sociology/anthropology department there? Have you heard anything about it?</p>

<p>I have heard that sociology and anthropology are both excellent! I know a bit more about anthropology and will have more info soon because I’m taking a course in it this semester called Ethnic Relations! The anthropology department is small, which allows for a ton of personal attention, and they are supposed to be very energetic and enthusiastic. The department has its own website that you might want to check out!</p>

<p>…would love to get your advice on that. Thanks a lot for your help on this thread, and I have really enjoyed reading your replies to ALL the posts! You must be a strong leader.</p>

<p>Thanks for the help,</p>

<p>the kitesurfer.</p>

<p>So I have a question about Davidson aswell. Its been my top choice for years. However, I know that they really look at course rigor. My school this year is switching from a 4 blocks per semester schedule to a 7 period a year schedule. Because of this, scheduling is a bit difficult. I’m not the best science student, but I work hard and have always taken honors sciences. I signed up for Physics Honors this year, but it ends up that the only period it is offered is at the same time as the only period for AP Calculus, which I also want to take. So, my only choice was to not take science at all or switch to a CP Marine Biology, which is what I signed up for instead when I found out. Will Davidson see that as not trying my hardest? My school does not offer many APs but I have taken 2 AP classes so far, and will take AP Lit, Cal, and French this year. </p>

<p>Thanks so much. =)</p>

<p>dancepsychlove will probably respond as well (because she is amazing like that!) but i thought i would give you my experience:</p>

<p>my school ran on block scheduling which made it hard because there were less times a class could run. As a result, there were many conflicts between AP or honors classes forcing students to choose. I was supposed to take physics as a junior, but honors would not fit in my schedule, so i decided to put it off until senior year in the hopes that honors would fit. I took an elective in the place and did well. Senior year, honors physics would conflict with French 5 (the only one in the entire year) so I decided to take college prep and I did pretty well. I think Davidson will look at your schedule as a whole and look at the rigor, but if one class is college prep instead of honors, it won’t ruin your chances of getting in. It seems like you’ve been taking a lot of harder classes, so taking one college prep class won’t be the end of the world. This is especially the case if science is not your intended major. But if you are truly concerned, you may want to ask your guidance counselor if it would be good for her to write a small section about the scheduling conflict in the letter of recommendation. </p>

<p>Good luck!! :)</p>

<p>Thanks so much for your answer! It made me a lot more confident in my decision. =)</p>

<p>Yes, FunkyFairy is definitely right :slight_smile: Each school is different, so it is impossible to measure rigor by the number of APs. Your school will give out a profile with your application, which will help Davidson understand what your personal academic circumstances are.</p>

<p>On a side note, just letting all of you prospies know that Davidson offers a week long trip prior to orientation called Odyssey. You can choose back country or service. I am currently there and having a great time! They really try their best to make freshmen feel welcome and acclimated.</p>

<p>Hi dancepsychelove,</p>

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<p>Can you please elaborate on that statement?</p>

<p>Our family’s EFC is too high ($50K+) to be considered for need-based aid. At least that’s what I’ve been led to believe. That said, it doesn’t mean we can easily cover the cost of attendance. We are more comfortable with shelling out $20K or $30K.</p>

<p>If anyone can share their experiences with financial aid at Davidson that would be helpful.</p>

<p>Go onto the Davidson website and look up what they have about the Davidson Trust. They have a no-loans policy and want you to graduate debt free. My family does not qualify for financial aid, so I do not have any personal anecdotes to share, though. I do know that most of my friends got their best aid package from Davidson.</p>

<p>When you say you have an income of over $50,000, without revealing too much personal information, how close to 50,000 is it? I’m in a similar situation and our financial aid turned out with us paying closer to $20,000 which isn’t bad. Unfortunately I can’t offer you any comparison to other financial aid packages because I applied Early decision. But the package seems fair to me. If you like community service, I would recommend looking into the Bonner scholarship program! :slight_smile: hope that helps! Private message me If you want more info !</p>

<p>Yes, Bonner is a great idea! My Odyssey leader is a Bonner and loves it. They have to do a lot of community service, which is awesome.</p>

<p>Hi,
Thank you for your comments. We live in Hawaii so won’t be able to visit too many schools on the mainland unfortunately, and was wondering if you might be able to answer a few questions for us. Do you know how the science program is at Davidson? My daughter is interested in bio-chem, but also possibly physics. Is it good? are classes taught by profs or TAs? Do you know if Davidson offers good merit aid? How is the atmosphere/ safety around campus? Thank you so much!</p>

<p>Oahumom,
From what i’ve heard from my physics teacher, Davidson’s science program is really good. He mentioned several times that he encourages the students interested in majoring in physics from our school to apply to Davidson because the program is small but top-notch. When I visited for the first time in June of my junior year, a biology teacher stopped us in the hallways to ask me about if i was interested in science or not and she gave me some insight on what classes would be best for me since I am not science-minded. I thought that was very nice and friendly of her - the only school I’ve toured where a teacher has done something like that. There are no TAs at Davidson because there is no graduate school which in my opinion is a benefit. The closest thing would be an AT which is a student who is majoring in a foreign language who has “sessions” with students in the classes of that language once a week or so, but this is in addition to regular class.</p>

<p>As far as merit aid, I believe I read somewhere that only 10% of students receive merit aid, however I think the amount there is has been spread out among different interests. The Belk is the major scholarship that covers full cost for 6 students each year. There are other scholarships available for community service (Bonner) art (Pepper Visual Arts) and then ones for writing, teaching, and other areas. There is also the Presidential Scholarship but I am not sure what basis that is given out on. The merit aid might not be the best but the financial aid of the school is great and definitely one of the school’s priorities.</p>

<p>And then for atmosphere and safety, my friend recently visited the campus and texted me back her opinion of school and town: Personal. This is true, the town is small and quiet with a main street of cute restaurants and shops. From my visits, I’ve never seen any threat to safety especially with the blue lights installed around campus for security. </p>

<p>Hope this helps! :slight_smile: Let us know if you have any other questions!</p>

<p>Thank you FunkyFairy11, that was really helpful. One more thing: Is there a shuttle from Charlotte airport to Campus? I am guessing that the closest airport is Charlotte.</p>

<p>No problem! :slight_smile:
And Yes! Last time I visited in April, I remember seeing signs in the student union to sign up for shuttles to Charlotte. I believe it costs $10 but I could be mistaken. I took this shuttle during a previous visit and they used a very friendly local company for it.</p>

<p>Sorry for my delayed responses, although I think FunkyFairy summed it up very well :slight_smile: I just got back from the Davidson campus-I took part in the preorientation trip called Odyssey, and it gave me a few things to add about life.</p>

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<li> People at Davidson are very outgoing and friendly, and also very intelligent, insightful, and open. They are extremely willing to help and be helped, whether it is listening to a problem or reading an academic paper. Upperclassmen LOVE freshmen…I was in the Union after my shower multiple days, and had many upperclassmen come in, say, “Are you guys freshmen?” and talk to us for a good while, then eagerly offer us their email addresses to ask questions and talk. I was really pleasantly surprised by how supportive they were of us.</li>
<li> DO THE ODYSSEY PROGRAM if you are an incoming freshman. You will be in a crew of 8, plus 2 team leaders (current students) and can choose between Backcountry and Service. You will have 9 new friends-your crew and your Team Leaders-as well as other people in other crews you’ll meet. We all got really close, and I can’t wait to see my new friends on campus. It has an opportunity for large group and small group bonding sessions. I met some people outside of my crew as well; for example, while waiting for my airplane, I had a very nice long conversation with a guy I had just met in a shuttle to the airport.</li>
<li> Davidson College is a community in which students are very welcomed. I stress the word COMMUNITY. I ran into my soon-to-be professor at the grocery store and was introduced by my TL. We went to a dinner open to anyone in the community, as long as they help prepare and clean up. The Farmers’ Market is just awesome. The local/organic food movement is really something that is taken seriously, as well as passion and activism for whatever your niche might be. I think the moment I really clicked with my crew was when I shared what my life dream is.</li>
<li> Freshman dorms are SO CLOSE to Chambers (where most classes are)…YES!</li>
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<p>This may be a stupid question, but is Davidson a religious school? I can’t seem to find a definite answer. I know it has Presbyterian roots, but is it a good place for non-religious people?</p>

<p>Not a stupid question at all. Davidson is loosely affiliated with the Presbyterian church, but it’s not overly religious. There is a Davidson College Presbyterian Church that people can go to. There are people of all religions, and people who are not religious. There is space for everybody. I have met a few people who are serious and very involved with their faith, and a few people who have nothing to do with it. Religious resources for all practices are available for those who want it, and that’s basically it. Non religious people will fit in just as well as everyone else.</p>

<p>Myself, I am not Presbyterian (I am another form of Christianity) and intend to go to church only every so often.</p>