Should I pick Davidson?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Davidson College
1

<p>First of all, I haven't actually been accepted to Davidson. But there is a very decent chance I will be pulled off the waitlist and notified in the coming weeks.</p>

<p>That said, the school I will be committing to by May 1st, unless anything monumental happens, will be Oxford College of Emory University-- which, for those of you unfamiliar, involves attending Oxford College at Emory's original campus for 2 years (with a student body of 800) and continuing to finish college education at Emory for junior and senior year. It's essentially going to Emory but you start out with fewer students and more easily available professors who care-- so it's like starting out at a small liberal arts college and progressing to a major, large university.</p>

<p>Here is my dilemma. Both schools are Southern, but not to an overwhelming degree. Both of them offer an excellent education-- though Davidson's might be slightly more so. And for a long time, Davidson was my top choice for college. My dad went there, I have visited it twice, it seemed great.</p>

<p>I'm no longer sure, though. What has begun to worry me now a lot is Davidson's lack of diversity. I realize diversity is improving, but it seems to pale in comparison to Emory's.</p>

<p>I could ramble a lot about what I'm concerned about, but I'll cut to the chase and tell you all who I am-- and then you can tell me if it would be a good idea to choose Davidson.</p>

<p>I am a Caucasian male, blue eyes, age 17, 6'.25".
My favorite bands include Parliament-Funkadelic, Pink Floyd, Muse, Queen, The Sugarhill Gang, Bill Withers, Ben Folds Five, Amy Winehouse, and then a bunch of hipsters I'm sure you've never heard of.
I am a jazz pianist. I also rap and play funk on the keytar.
I program computers to do things like improvise jazz based on input pre-offered by the user.
I'm very political, very philosophical, like to have intense arguments with people even if the outcome of the argument doesn't seem very immediately consequential.
I'm a social and environmental activist. I have skipped school, unexcused, to protest mountaintop removal coal mining. I skipped school again to go to DC last weekend and call for our country to adopt clean energy. I work a lot with Amnesty International and have won a regional award for my activism with my high school chapter. If the college I attend has problems I see as heavily counter-progressive, I will probably want to campaign with other students to change them.
I am fairly anti-corporate in many situations and I am the opposite of business-minded. I am in many ways a socialist.
I want whatever I do in life to go toward benefiting the world we live in. The means I choose to do this will be very diverse, however-- I plan to study about everything feasible in college because I would like to do about everything feasible later in life.</p>

<p>That's all I can say. Please tell me what you think!</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>I think the choice is ultimately yours. Where do you feel like you fit? You can tell that better than we can…</p>

<p>I will comment on one point you made: the visit to DC last weekend. I visited Davidson the other day, and my host went to that same conference. So, in that regard, I think it’s safe to say there are atleast some people like you at Davidson. My host had a lot to say about corporations, climate change, etc. So, I thought you’d like to know that. The point may very well be inconsequential, but it’s something to consider nonetheless.</p>

3

<p>Like TooMuchAtOnce said, the choice is yours. Here is my story if it helps. I chose Davidson over 8 very good LACS and a more prestigious university (William and Mary) that I was accepted to, because Davidson feels like home to me and of course is a very good school anyway. I know that’s a cliche feeling to report, but it’s so true. The thing Davidson has going for it is the sense of community and the Honor Code, which really strings the student body together. You get small classes and professor accessibility all 4 years. You said you visited it and were concerned about the lack of diversity…Davidson has been trying to improve in the past few years and I believe is doing so. Davidson requires Cultural Diversity courses to make students aware of issues outside of the US and Europe. Davidson students love activism and community service, with an overwhelming percentage doing so.
That’s just my two cents…I would love to have another Wildcat!</p>

4

<p>@toomuch:</p>

<p>it’s super cool that your host happened to have gone to power shift! that does make me feel a little better about the scene there.</p>

<p>thanks</p>

5

<p>Samushighwind,</p>

<p>Good luck with your decision! I am a current Davidson freshman, and it pleases me to see you attended Power Shift 2011. I was one of a small group to attend the 4 day event. I hope you got as much out of it as we did. The Davidson Power Shift group is commencing a series of meetings with school officials in regards to implementing more sustainable practices at Davidson. As a member of EAC, I can tell you there are plans in the works for pushing increased alternative energy utilization. We would love to have another student committed to decreasing Davidson’s ecological footprint! Overall, I think you will find a welcoming student body at both institutions you are considering!</p>

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<p>I’m glad to hear that! Thanks!</p>

7

<p>^
Samushighwind, good luck on your college choice, which I’m sure you’ve made by now. But, I just wanted to say, based on your self-description in your original post, especially the stuff about jazz and diversity and anti-corporate, you should’ve applied to Oberlin. You would’ve fit right in and loved it.</p>

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<p>Oh, believe me, I know. I applied to Oberlin and for some reason they rejected me… I was pretty devastated about that. But I am now going to Davidson. So thanks everyone for the input!</p>

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<p>Wonderful news - congratulations.</p>

10

<p>You didn’t include your hair color…</p>

<p>And what’s your major? I’m assuming something Liberal Arts-related. I’d say Davidson. It’s so pretty and I much prefer the coast instead of the Deep South (where you’ll be surrounded with a bunch of hicks). Also, they do your laundry. Pretty much would seal the deal for me if I wanted to go to an LAC.</p>

11

<p>I’m going to be a freshman at Davidson too!!! See you in August :)</p>