Here’s what each college’s website says about subject tests. Nowhere did it say they are recommended.
W&L: SAT Subject Tests are not required for admission to W&L.
Davidson: If applicants have taken SAT Subject Tests, Davidson welcomes but does not require those scores.
“If we don’t get merit there is no way these school could happen.”
Do know that neither school gives out tons of merit based aid. According to section H of each school’s Common Data Set:
Davidson gave merit aid to only 19 non-athlete first year students this past year.
W&L was slightly better awarding merit aid to 32 non-athlete first year students this year.