<p>Davidson is, without doubt, a top school. In terms of standardized test scores, though, it’s a half-step behind the better northern LACs. For example, Davidson’s common data set indicates that 32% of its incoming freshmen scored between 700 and 800 on the math SAT and 39% scored in that range on the critical reading test. At Wesleyan, it’s 54% and 50%. (These are 2009 -2010 data for Davidson and 2008 -2009 data for Wesleyan. If anything, Wesleyan’s data improved in 2009 - 2010, when it applications went up by 10%.) Davidson’s scores at the 25 percentile and 75th percentile also lag behind Wesleyan’s (by 40 aggregate points – math and CR --at both the top and bottom). Those differences, though small, are not insignificant.</p>
<p>The spread between Davidson and the very top northern LACs (e.g., Williams, Amherst, Middlebury, Swat, Bowdoin) would be even greater. But, Vassar, Claremont McKenna< Wesleyan and Haverford all outpace Davidson on this measure.</p>
<p>Obviously, SAT scores are only one factor in assessing the quality of a school. But, Davidson’s place on the USNWR list (#8) seems a bit out of whack when viewed from that perspective.</p>