Student Profile
coloradostudent
- Class: Sophomore
- Major: Biology
- Gender: M
- High School:
- Transfer Student: N
Big Picture
I love davidson because all of the students trust each other because of the honor code. the honor code breeds a sense of respect and trust amongst all students and professors, but be warned, the administration does not have to follow the honor code (which I found surprising and frustrating.) Davidson is just the right size. Davidson currently is REALLY REALLY striving for diversity, which I think is a wonderful idea being enacted in all of the wrong ways. Instead of looking at diversity as a complex factor (religious, sexual orientation, socio economic background, internationally, etc) Davidson appears to be focusing entirely on racial diversity. There is an optional minority pre-orientation here that even several minority students complain about because they feel it extremely isolates them before they meet the rest of their class. Davidson is working really hard, but in my opinion, has a long way to go in fostering a community that openly accepts diverse sexual orientations. For a school of 1700 students, I only know 15 or so gay students, 5 of whom are not openly gay, a number that is very low given the statistics. Almost all students spend their time on campus; parties rarely happen elsewhere, and if they do they are within walking distance (I LOVE THIS...no driving.) Drugs are frowned upon at Davidson by the majority, but there is a drug culture at campus for a very small student minority. The town is amazing, everybody is really nice towards the students, and cops aren't an issue at all (thinking specifically of underage drinking and moderate speeding). Everybody now knows Davidson because of basketball, which is amazing, but don't expect too much more knowledge unless you are talking to someone from the South. I hate the administration at this school, save the college president. The administration is known to make brash, unthoughtful moves and, most students would agree, are attempting to remove the male greek system from campus to decrease liability and promote favorable statistics to parents. There is a ton of student pride and virtually all students on campus are incredibly friendly.
Academic Life
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.
Student Body
The Best Things
Immense trust in between students and faculty, incredibly nice and welcoming students
The Worst Things
The fact that the administration is attempting to recruit diversity solely based on skin color, and not actual cultural background.
