Davidson College Top Questions

The college town is integral to the feeling of community present here on the Davidson Campus. Coming from a small town, I was attracted to the small size of the school, and as I'm almost halfway done with my experience, I still don't feel like I've outgrown it. People who know the school are usually impressed when they hear I go here; otherwise, I'll get blank stares when I share my school.

The best thing about davidson is the honor code. Professors are predisposed to trust you instead of assume you'll cheat. This makes the relationships with professors more enjoyable. Davidson also has a huge commitment to community service.

Davidson is too small if you don't want to see everyone everyday. You can't escape awkward situations or speaking up in class. The town is wonderful as are the townspeople and the weather is also great. Campus is beautiful, most places look like a post card and the grounds are well kept. People are friendly and fun, but word gets around so there are very few secrets.

Work. Academics are everything. No one has heard of Davidson when I tell them I go there because it's so small, but I love the size. I wish there was not as much work as there was, it really hurts social life and relationships because everyone is always stressed.

The best thing about Davidson is the Honor Code. The Honor Code enables us to do so many things and students are always given the benefit of the doubt. A friend of mine had a take home test which was due on her professor's door by 8 am but she overslept, technically speaking her test was void because she could have used extra time while taking the test. A quick email to the professor straightened everything out and he had no problem believing that she had not used extra time. Take home tests in general are a luxury! For one of my classes our midterm was a take home essay test. Most take homes are given in an envelope but this one was emailed to us on friday and our response was due Monday morning. We were honor bound not to open the email before we were ready to begin. Another aspect of the Honor Code ensures that we don't steal. For example it is not uncommon to see a twenty dollar bill, sometimes more, tacked to a board with a note saying when the money was found. It used to be that I'd tell people I go to Davidson and they'd say "Oh, is that in Pennsylvania?" or else they just didn't know where it was. I'd usually say "Davidson College in North Carolina" as if that were what it was called...Now, I am not sure, I've heard people say that the new reaction is "OH Davidson, that's that basketball school right?"

Davidson is a great size- you know most people by name or face, but don't know them all personally. I just wish more people knew what Davidson is- maybe they will now that we have made it so far in basketball. The honor code is such an important part of Davidson life- I feel comfortable leaving my laptop out in a public space so I can run and get a coke-- you dont find that most places!

The school is exactly the right size. Small enough that I always know someone, but big enough that I always meet someone new.

The smallness usually is a good thing. It's pretty much impossible to avoid people but why would you want to here? And you always see a friendly face when you're out and about campus. I have had some incredible experiences here. Highlights include: Stephen Curry doing the Cupid Shuffle in my room, for no particular reason. Another hilarious and only-at-Davidson experience was playing Ecuadorian Kings with my friends from Quito. I don't really feel the need to leave campus that often - we have so many events and such a variety of people that I never want to leave. The town is friendly - they filled the Union to watch our NCAA Elite Eight game! People used to ask me which state Davidson College was in, but now they tell me they love our basketball team which is pretty exciting.

Perfect size! You don't know everyone, but you recognize most people and build a community with your peers. Freshmen live together - an incredible experience getting to know your own class in an intimate environment. Small class sizes result in lots of class discussion and participation as well as personal relationships with teachers. We've got a lake campus. And how about our BASKETBALL TEAM! My friends from home are always surprised when I say that I know basketball players in the classroom, in my lab group, in my dormitory, etc. But it's not strange here at Davidson because about 25{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of students are varsity athletes, and another huge percentage participate in club or intramural sports. The community goes all out for our basketball team, especially, with hundreds of "townies" coming to our games, seeing our boys head off to the NCAA tournament, and waiting at the school at 3 am to congratulate them when they return. This year, the town issued a press release calling for residents to spray paint sheets for the team to hang off the porches. It was incredible to see everyone come out to support our small school with such pride and excitement.

the best thing about Davidson are the people and the amazing opportunities that are brought to the school in terms of lectures, performances, concerts. I would change attitudes about work, some people are perfectionists and tend to freak out very easily about the work load. It could also be helpful to encourage more students to be more open with their professors about how they are handling the work load and suggesting ways to help. Davidson is small, but if that's what you're looking for it's just right. Usually people from California don't know anything about Davidson and they ask if I mean U. of California at Davis. But as the years have gone by and Davidson is more recognizable nationwide, people are excited to hear me talk about Davidson and are interested in how I am enjoying it, especially what I'll be doing after graduation. I spend most of my time in the student union, my eating house, Chambers and my dormitory. Davidson the town is very much connected to the college. There are some cute restaurants, a public library, clothing stores and even a museum of wooden gnomes. But it's by no means a college town because most of the college "action" takes place on campus. The students and the people of the town of Davidson however have always had a great relationship, especially this year during the basketball season! the administration is fantastic. the biggest recent controversy was addressed by a rally where people talked about "differences" and diversity on campus and how the student body reacts to differences. there is a lot of school pride, but many students don't seem to realize that they belong at Davidson and sometimes feel overwhelmed by the amazing things their peers are accomplishing, not understanding that they themselves are also special. We have a great community of students but sometimes the pressure gets to us and it seems to effect our perception of ourselves. It is unusual how much Davidson students attend to their work on the weekends, but it's also a great skill to be able to balance work and social activities. I will always remember Odyssey from Freshman year, all of my freshman hallmates and activities, and Dance Ensemble. Frequently, students complain about word load and the dating culture: you are either in a serious relationship (headed toward marriage) or single and hooking up with people.