I’m thinking about applying ED to Davidson, but first I would like to ask what the atmosphere there is like. What are the students there like? What is their attitude? Are Davidson students generally happy people? Is the atmosphere very stressed or relaxed? Are people there typically easily-offended or open to discussion and differing viewpoints? Is the atmosphere independent or more sheltered? How rigorous are the academics? Are there many science research opportunities, especially with biology, astronomy, and the quantum sciences? Anything else big about the Davidson atmosphere? Sorry about all the questions, I just want to get a feel for the college atmosphere. Thanks!
We thought it was a very nice school with highly intelligent but also very normal/friendly students. The town meets the end of campus and is a charming small town. You should definitely visit, as it is only a 30 minute drive from Charlotte Airport.
@Lizzie17, as an alum & parent of a current applicant, I’ll try to answer some of your questions. First, to echo @londondad, you should visit campus if at all possible.
Davidson has a beautiful campus located in a small town near Charlotte, a major financial center and up and coming city. The students tend to be happy, very dedicated to Davidson, and relatively moderate, but there are liberals and conservatives. The student Democrats organized a visit by Tim Kaine last month; the Republicans are also active.
It is small, around 2000 students. There is a culture of trust–exams are self-scheduled without proctors. The school just opened a cutting-edge science/lab building, greatly increasing research opportunities and space. The classes are all small, with personalized interaction between professors and students. The academic atmosphere is somewhat rigorous, but not cutthroat.
What Davidson is not–a large research university with graduate programs.
I see you posted last month. Hopefully, you have already found your answers. Best of luck!