Visit Report by Father of the Boarder (Member since July 20 2005 with 286 posts) Visit Date - July 2005
Visit to Davidson College in July 2005 by Father of the Boarder (Parent of Student, HS Class of 2005)
Visit Activities:
Admissions Interview:
No - Interestingly, this small LAC does not want the interview. But there is a review of the campus etc which amounts to the same. About 2 hours of time. Information Session:
Yes - Saw the whole place -- after reviewing the same the night before. Campus Tour:
Yes - Part of information session. Classroom Visit:
No - No classes when we were there.
Davidson College Campus:
Friendliness/Courtesy of Students: 4 - Very Good -
To be fair, we were there during new student week and there was a lot of preoccupied youngsters.
Friendliness/Courtesy of Staff: 5 - Excellent -
Smiling faces.
Appearance of Campus: 5 - Excellent -
One book -- maybe because it was a 2004 edition (Princeton Review) -- commented that the gym needed improvement. Either they have subsequently improved the gym or I and the authors differ in opinion.
Building/Facilities Maintenance/Cleanliness: 5 - Excellent -
Having two science buildings and art facilities like they do -- you would think this was a school of 6000 or more.
Dormitories: 4 - Very Good -
Tight in some places. But, NC is beautiful and the campus is more beautiful than much of the state.
Security/Safety: 5 - Excellent -
Few schools are as remote and safe. Grinnell or Carleton come to mind as comparables.
Overall Campus Impression: 5 - Excellent -
Student union and other facilities make the place embracing. Also, I think the layout is the way a campus should be done. Many colleges build as they grow and need more facilities -- the campus plan here looks like it was all done at one time.
Off-Campus:
Area Immediately Around Campus: 4 - Very Good -
Small town USA
City/Town/Community: 5 - Excellent -
Small town USA
Campus Visit Notes for Davidson College:
Visit Description:
Kids are clean cut -- something different than my own school. Maybe a bit square -- not a gay accepting campus? That was my impression.
But, they are civil. And if they live with southern civility, they are gems. No one can be more polite.
Who fits best? A real athlete with academic ambitions. My friends who attended wanted to play Div I ball and get a degree that would lead them to law school. This place accomodates that type of student extremely well.
Having laundry done for you is a big plus -- or it would be for me. May be the reason why a lot of the student died to go there.
Professors are said to be great.
Summing it up -- beautiful campus, with great professors, Div I athletics, and people with clean clothes. Sounds like something out of the 1950's.
Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments:
Good Japanese across the street -- by new arts building.
-
To be fair, we were there during new student week and there was a lot of preoccupied youngsters.
-
Smiling faces.