Davidson College Top Questions

Academics are hard. The professors expect a lot of work outside of the class that allows you to be prepared for class the next day. Not all classes are equally difficult - Organic and Theater 101 are obviously on different levels. Even if you fall behind in a class, which is usually inevitable, you will work your ass off to study for the test. Even so, you might get a B. Even though the classes are really hard, most of them are enjoyable because the professors know what they're talking about. You can tell they want you to work hard because they worked hard and really love what they're trying to teach you. They are also always willing to help you out, whether it's on a test that you did poorly on or a paper that isn't due for another week and you want some early advice. The professors expect a lot but never fail to be fair.

Come to Davidson expecting to do a lot of work. You worked very hard in high school to get here, and unlike certain rumors about Ivy League or similar Davidson caliber schools, the work only gets more intense and rigorous. Education here is definitely geared more towards learning rather than getting a job, and academics are considered a first priority for all students here regardless of any other commitments. That said, I saw nowhere else where faculty were so incredibly passionate about what they do, and the incredible amount of respect they hold for the students. That was what made me want to come here.

Every professor knows my name and is very willing to talk to you. Their first priority is teaching and then research, which would be done with an undergrad. Class participation is common. I have been invited to my teachers house before and I have actually been to my advisor's house. The education you get here covers all subjects and will really prepare you for anything after college. I remember when my Economics teacher gave us his cell phone number so that we could call him if we had questions.

The academics at Davidson are my favorite aspect of the school. My professors have almost always learned my name by the end of the first day of class. The largest class I have ever had was 30. My freshman year I had a class of 6. The professors care an immense amount about all their students and will do anything to help, even meeting you for dinner on Sunday night to go over your work. I have found that due to these intimate relationships with my professors, I have been able to learn way more than I could in any other environment.

Class size is always small, professors are always at least decent. Those are absolute rules. There are definitely some professors to avoid, but for the most part, they're all good, and some of them are amazing. Students tend to be extremely intellectual in and outside of class, and some of them are very competitive (those most aren't).

No doubt about it, academics at Davidson are rigorous. However, I find that it is definitely a manageable amount of work. At Davidson, the academic experience is what each student makes of it. The professors are very knowledgeable and willing to help. However, you can get to know the professors very well and be a frequent visitor during office hours, or you can remain relatively anonymous. It's up to you. However, each of the professors knows all of his or her students by name, as none of the classes are above 40 students.

Professors and students have close relationships, we are not numbers. In fact, the average class size is around 15. Almost everyone participates in class discussions -All comments are intellectual and thought-provoking. There are so many different course structures here; however, I think my favorites were my 4 course Humanities track. We started with the first known literary work, The Epic of Gilgamesh, and moved on into present day, reading literature, philosophy, and religious & political documents, looking at paintings and sculptures, listening to music. Classes conisisted of about 12 - 15 students and we just talked about what we read/saw/heard. No pop quizzes. No lectures. Just discussion. We would meet even if the professor couldn't make it.

Academics at Davidson are pretty rigorous, but I feel students are generally good about finding a balance between work and play. Classes are small, and professors always know your name. Class participation is almost always encouraged, and the small class sizes provide excellent opportunities for discussion. The truth is that everyone here is intelligent and it is not uncommon to hear students having intellectual conversations outside of class, but on the other hand you hear a lot of stupid conversations too. The core requirements are pretty demanding, but nothing you can't knock about by the end of sophomore year if you come in with an AP credit or two under your belt. Recently there has been talk around Davidson about the problem of grade deflation. There is a joke around campus that says the department with the lowest GPA gets taken out to dinner. Personally I have had great experiences with classes. Professors have always been open to talking and meeting with you, and they often make an effort to get to know you outside of the classroom. From what I hear Premed is pretty intense, but it gets you ready for Med school.

Davidson is an incredible academic school. You will rarely have a class over 30 students or so, and personally in my Freshman year alone I've had 4 with about 10 or less. Professors almost always know you personally and it isn't rare to get invited to a professors house for dinner, not to mention get any extra help on work that you need. Students here study a lot because honestly classes are not easy. You will not skate by like you did in high school but you will become a much better person for it. Everyone here were people who were at the top of there class and you will take part in intellectual conversations. But don't worry there are plenty of stupid ones as well. I, like many other students, often feel that there is way too much work here and that the academic requirements are too hard but you learn more because of it and start to realize, unlike highschool, GPA does not matter! 3 B's and a C is a great report card! That prestigious degree is your goal here! You will not just work towards one job here, you will truely learn and have the ability to take part in a WIDE range of jobs. It is not uncommon to here of students coming straight out of college here with paychecks in the 6 figures on top of 6 figure signing bonuses.

Professors are very interactive and most are very friendly. Most if not all of them love what they teach and are happy to help you anyway they can. Students in return learn alot and they do have intellectual conversations outside of class. I recommend this because other students may have picked up on something in class that you missed and would need for the class. Career wise, the school does not teach you how to perform a specific real world job, but it does teach you how to work hard and learn things you will need for the rest of your life.