davidson college admissions tour

Davidson is committed to its responsibility as a liberal arts college and seeks to enroll students from a variety of racial, economic, social, religious, and geographic backgrounds. Davidson seeks to enroll students who will contribute to the life of the college and who have the promise to make good use of their education after graduation. To enroll such students, every application is reviewed with care. Admission to Davidson is highly selective. Decisions are based on many factors, with evaluation in three general areas: (1) academic achievement as indicated by secondary school curriculum, grades, and standardized test scores if applicant elects to submit for consideration; (2) personal characteristics as evidenced in personal statements and letters of recommendation; and (3) outstanding interests, achievements, and activities, as demonstrated by participation in and contribution to school, community, or religious organizations.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must complete secondary school graduation requirements before enrolling at Davidson. Excluding consideration for exceptional circumstances, at least 16 high school units are required, although the student accepted at Davidson usually has taken 20 units. These units should include the following: 4 units of English, 3 units of mathematics, 2 units of the same second language* (including American Sign Language), 2 units of science, and 2 units of history/social studies. It is strongly recommended that high school students continue for the third and fourth years in science and in the same second language, continue mathematics through calculus, and take additional courses in history.

*In extenuating circumstances precluding fulfillment of this language requirement, the application will be reviewed by the Faculty Admission Committee on a case-by-case basis.

Candidates considering Davidson should take at least five academic subjects each year in secondary school, unless the school curriculum is structured around four. It is important that a challenging academic program be taken each year, but especially in the junior and senior years.

All applicants have the option of being considered with or without the SAT of the College Entrance Examination Board or the ACT of the American College Testing Program when submitting their application.  If an applicant elects to be considered with testing, registration for either exam should be completed at least five weeks before the date on which the test is scheduled.  If an applicant elects not to submit testing they will not be required to submit this information for admission consideration to Davidson.

Conditions of Admission

Should there be any substantive changes in the data shared in the application for admission over the next several months (e.g., address, phone number, high school, course work, conduct record, etc.), the student must notify the Office of Admission as soon as possible.

A final transcript will be required from the student’s high school in June reflecting successful completion of the academic program and high school graduation. It is fully expected that the remainder of the work and personal conduct will be similar in academic caliber to the work and personal conduct upon which this offer of admission was granted. The College reserves the right to rescind or modify its offer of admission should there be changes in the academic achievement or personal conduct upon which the admission decision was based.

Similar expectations and conditions apply to transfer students.

Students admitted through either early decision program must submit their required deposit by the specified due date on their acceptance letter.

If the student chooses to enroll at Davidson College having been admitted at regular decision, the student must submit the required deposit by May 1.

A nonrefundable deposit will be credited toward the student’s account for billable charges.

By submitting this nonrefundable deposit, the student confirms enrollment at Davidson College. The student also acknowledges that he or she has not submitted or will submit an enrollment deposit at any other institution. If the student is admitted off the wait list by another institution and elects to enroll there, the student must inform the Office of Admission immediately. Davidson College reserves the right to rescind its offer of admission to any student who submits an enrollment deposit to another institution.

How to Apply

Students should notify the Office of Admission and Financial Aid as soon as they become interested in Davidson in order to begin receiving information about the college, admission process and events, and opportunities to engage with admission staff.

There are four ways in which a student may apply for admission to Davidson:

• Common Application - Students may apply to Davidson by completing and submitting the Common Application, a $50 application fee, and the Davidson Common Application Writing Supplement. A Common Application to Davidson is not complete without the Supplement. Please note: transfer students should may use the Common Application.
• Coalition Application - Students may also use the Coalition Application platform to submit an admission application, along with the $50 application fee. Please note: transfer students may use the Coalition Application.
• Online Application - Davidson offers the option to submit the full admission application online directly through the college website, along with the $50 application fee.

Supporting materials for all admission applications, regardless of the format for submission, include: official high school transcripts, students may choose to share SAT or ACT test scores (visit our testing policy page for more information), and recommendations (high school counselor, teacher, and peer recommendations). When all materials are received, the application is considered complete and the student will receive an email notification.

All forms required to complete an application can be found on the Davidson College website .

Application deadline dates may vary from year to year. Updated deadline information may be found under “Important Dates for Applicants” on the Davidson College Admission and Financial Aid website .

The Early Decision Plan is binding and is for applicants who are certain they want to attend Davidson. Early Decision applications will be accepted, denied, or deferred into the Regular Decision Plan pool of applicants. Those candidates who are deferred will be re-evaluated during the Regular Decision selection process. To apply through the Early Decision Plan, the student should:

1.   Complete all application requirements by the stated deadlines.

2.  Submit the Early Decision Candidate’s Agreement, which states that Davidson is definitely their first choice; and that if accepted, they will enroll and withdraw all applications pending elsewhere.

For those applying under the Regular Decision Plan, letters informing applicants of the decision on their applications will be mailed or posted to their application portal. Applicants who are accepted under the Regular Decision Plan are required to make a non-refundable enrollment deposit by May 1. 

Deferred Admission

An admitted first-year student may, with the permission of the Dean of Admission and Financial Aid, defer matriculation for one year without reapplying to Davidson. The student must confirm his or her intent to enroll at Davidson, submit the required $1,000 enrollment deposit, and submit a written request for deferral prior to May 1. The request must detail the student’s plans for the interim year, inclusive of programs, locations and dates. If the deferral request is approved, the student must return a signed deferral contract, coupled with an additional non-refundable deposit in the amount of $1,500, within one week of the notice of approval. 

First-year students offered admission from the wait list and all admitted transfer students are not eligible to defer.

Campus Visits

While not required, a campus visit is strongly encouraged. Group and Senior-to-Senior information sessions are conducted by an admission officer or a senior admission fellow. The format of the session may be a group setting or an individual meeting; neither is evaluative. In addition to the information session and campus tour, prospective students are welcome to eat on campus, attend an extra-curricular activity (sports, theatre, lecture, concert), and talk with students or faculty that they may meet during their visit. High school juniors and seniors may observe classes that have been approved by faculty mid-September until mid-November of the Fall Semester, and February-April of the Spring Semester.

The Office of Admission and Financial Aid is open all year and appointments should be made on our website or by calling 1-704-894-2230 or 1-800-768-0380 at least two weeks before the proposed visit. The TDD Relay Service available is 1-800-735-2962. Campus tours and information sessions are scheduled daily and available on Saturdays during peak visitation periods (spring and fall). Detailed visit information is available at www.davidson.edu/visit.  

Fees are payable in two installments (July 25 and December 1).  An orientation fee for new students ($200 for first-year students and transfers) is included in the fall semester billing. Other fees may also be required. See “Additional fees.”

A student who is unable to pay fees in full by the installment due date must contact the Business Services Office prior to that date. No student will be allowed to return for any semester if his/her account is not paid in full or if arrangements to use the college approved payment plan have not been made prior to the due date. There is a $25 penalty charge for late payment. Interest charges at 18 percent per annum are also assessed on late payments.

In order to graduate and receive a diploma, all financial obligations to Davidson must be paid in full. Furthermore, no official transcripts will be released until a student has met all financial obligations to the college.

Students who enter at the beginning of the spring semester will be billed one-half of the required student charges, room, and meal fees listed above.

After the tenth day of classes, no refunds on tuition or room rent will be made. Fees paid in advance for subsequent semesters for which a student does not register will be refunded in full, subject to the notification deadlines specified in the “Academic and Personal Leave” policy that follows. Fees for meals are refunded on a pro rata basis determined by the week of withdrawal.  The college offers tuition-refund insurance through AWG Dewar, Inc.  A charge of $364 for the tuition-refund insurance will be included on the fall tuition invoice. Students wishing to decline coverage may complete an online waiver. Detailed information may be obtained by calling 617-774-1555 or online at:  http://www.tuitionprotection.com/davidson

The usual fees include:

1.  Room:  Rent is $7,700.00 for double occupancy. Triples are $5,420.00. Singles and suites cost $9,284.00. Martin Court Apartments and Houses are $9,626.00. All students are required to live on campus for their entire college career unless officially excused by the Director of Residence Life.

2.  Meals: First year students are required to participate in a full meal plan for the entire year. Bills will reflect the ALL Meal Plan. All returning and transfer students must enroll in a college meal plan each semester.  The minimum college meal plan is the 2 Plus Meal Plan, but students may elect a higher meal plan. The college does not provide meals during semester or holiday recess periods. Meal plans may be changed without penalty during the first week of classes. After that time, a student incurs a 15% charge when changing to a lower meal plan or canceling a meal plan altogether. 

3. Medical Care: Outpatient services provided at the Student Health Center are free-of-charge with the exception of certain laboratory tests, medical supplies and certain medications/vaccines. The college contracts with a nearby medical group for provision of part-time medical services at the Student Health Center. Male and female physicians rotate scheduled appointments during “sick call” on weekday afternoons. They also provide after-hours emergency consultation to our nurses. The college’s professional staff of registered nurses (RNs) are on duty at the Student Health Center on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. Overnights and weekends, an on-call nurse is accessible to students by pager (704-337-7047) to assess the need for immediate face-to-face evaluation, regular sick call assessment, or referral to a local hospital emergency room. Students are financially responsible for any additional medical services, performed at other medical facilities (e.g., consultations, X-Rays, etc.).

An in-patient bed is available at the Student Health Center for the care of a student who needs isolation and observation or for a student who is recovering from surgery. For this, there is a comprehensive charge of $25 per day, which is billed directly to the student’s college tuition account.

4.  Mail: Students are provided a mail box at the Davidson College Post Office.

5.  Academic Support: Fees contribute to services provided by the Library, Center for Teaching and Learning, Center for Civic Engagement, Multicultural Life, Information Technology, Disability Support, and Center for Career Development.

Additional fees include:

1.  Applied music fee: The hour-per-week applied instruction for majors in the Department of Music is covered in the usual fee, but there are separate charges for additional instruction or for private lessons for those who are not music majors. Fees per semester for individual instruction in voice, piano, organ, guitar, or orchestral instruments are: $845 for one one-hour lesson per week and $455 for one half-hour lesson per week.* The use of practice facilities is $20 (includes Fall and Spring semesters).

*Note:  lesson fees will not be refunded to students who drop after the second week of the semester.

2.  Student accident and sickness insurance: All students attending Davidson are automatically enrolled in the insurance plan. The $2,295.00 fee is charged to each student’s account. Students covered by comparable insurance may be exempted from the student insurance program by submitting an online waiver request form on or before July 25th.

3.  Enrollment deposit: All students are required to make a $1000 deposit prior to enrollment. $500 is applied to the student’s first tuition invoice and $500 is held in escrow during the student’s enrollment, and is refunded, less any outstanding fees and fines, following graduation. A student must maintain the $500 enrollment deposit in order to be granted on-leave status.

4.  Study abroad: Davidson programs :  Students enrolled in  Davidson-administered semester programs  will pay Davidson tuition and academic fees AND will pay on-campus rates for housing and meals. Davidson will bill students’ accounts, and students will make payments in the same manner as though they were going to be on campus. A nonrefundable commitment deposit is due after acceptance (typically in early March for fall semester programs) and will be deducted from the total amount due on July 25. Davidson program fees cover most expenses for the semester abroad, but students should review  Budgeting for Study Abroad  to determine if they should anticipate any additional costs, such as passport renewal fees, immunizations, personal travel/activities, ongoing and/or unexpected upfront medical expenses.

Partner Programs: Students enrolled in partner programs will receive two invoices: One from Davidson for regular tuition and one from the partner program for housing, meals and other non-academic fees. Payment deadlines for these programs vary, so students should be sure to make note of these upon acceptance. Many programs require a nonrefundable commitment deposit after acceptance, and students are responsible for paying this directly to the partner program to secure their spot on the program. 

5.  Transcripts: There is no fee for transcripts.

6.  Vehicle registration: A fee of $50.00 will be charged to register each vehicle kept on campus.

7.  Miscellaneous fees: Students pay fees for late registration, late drop/add, library fines, damaged property, parking fines, lost post office keys, etc., when incurred. A penalty of $20 will be charged on all returned checks.

Academic and Personal Leave

A student who wishes to take academic or personal leave from Davidson may do so upon approval from the Registrar and Dean of Students. Guidelines are available from the Registrar.  After March 15, a penalty of $250 is charged if a student receives approval for academic or personal leave beginning the following fall semester. A $500 penalty applies after June 15. In like manner, a penalty of $250 is charged if a student notifies the Registrar after November 1 that he or she does not intend to enroll for the spring semester, and a $500 penalty applies after January 1.

A student must pay his or her account in full and maintain the $500 enrollment deposit in order to be granted on-leave status.

A student is charged $250 if the student notifies the Dean of Students after March 15 that he or she plans to withdraw from the college. After June 15, the charge is $500. If, during the fall semester, a student notifies the Dean of Students after November 1 of his or her intention to withdraw from the college there is a $250 charge. After January 1, the charge is $500. In order to receive a refund of the $500 enrollment deposit, a student’s account balance must be paid in full. 

Admission Process & Help

While highly selective, Davidson's admission process considers a broad range of achievement, recognizing that success comes in many forms. We enroll students who have academic potential and the motivation to succeed.

Explore application requirements, deadlines and ways to apply

When applying to Davidson, you may be able to earn credit and placement consideration for pre-college credit including IB exams, AP exams, Cambridge International AS and A-Levels, and Dual Enrollment.

Students applying to Davidson have the option to submit or not submit standardized testing (ACT or SAT) as part of their application. 

Home-Schooled Students

We encourage home-schooled students to contact the Admission Office prior to submitting an application. We recommend that home-schooled applicants and candidates applying from non-traditional schools submit either ACT or SAT test results, though they are not required. We do ask that all recommendations come from non-family members and that detailed syllabi or programs of instruction are provided as part of the application.

Please email  [email protected]  or call 704-894-2969 to discuss your situation as questions arise.

Does Davidson Offer Interviews?

No, we do not offer evaluative interviews as part of our admission process. We do encourage you to connect with current students to learn more about our community in an informal way. Sign up for Ask a Wildcat , a 30 minute Q&A session just for students. 

Additional Applicant Information

Davidson College reserves the right to evaluate an application and make a final decision, even if all parts of the application have not been received.

Davidson College may be required to report incidents of abuse disclosed in applications.

A final transcript will be required from the student’s high school in June reflecting successful completion of the academic program and high school graduation. It is fully expected that the remainder of the work and personal conduct will be similar in academic caliber to the work and personal conduct upon which this offer of admission was granted. The college reserves the right to rescind or modify its offer of admission should there be changes in the academic achievement or personal conduct upon which the admission decision was based. Similar expectations and conditions apply to transfer students.

"As part of our personalized, holistic review of applicants, we do our best to get to know an applicant for what they will bring to Davidson and how they will benefit from that education as we prepare people for leadership and service in the world. The qualities that our community values, that our world needs, sometimes defy measure. We remain deeply committed to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community at Davidson. We know that students and their families live in a society in which discrimination, including that based on racism, is still a harsh reality–and we fervently believe that education creates the context for overcoming inequalities and injustice."

-President Douglas Hicks '90

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College tour season is about to kick off. Here are 10 tips from college tour guides to have a successful campus visit.

• As spring starts, colleges nationwide will welcome parents and students to tour their campuses. 
• College tour guides want people to arrive on time, ask the right questions, and have fun.
• They also recommend students take the tours on their own, without their parents.

Spring break is right around the corner, and for many high-school students and their parents, that means many will be hitting the road to tour colleges around the country.

To make the most of your visit, Business Insider spoke with college students and tour guides. They know the campuses like the backs of their hands, and they know how to walk backward.

Here are the dos and don'ts of college tours from student guides .

1. Get there with no time to spare, but don't be late.

You won't get points for arriving early, so try to arrive on time. But if you do happen to arrive late , there's no need to worry.

"If something comes up and you are late, ask your guide what you missed once the tour finishes," Skyler Kawecki-Muonio, a senior at Sarah Lawrence College in New York, told BI. "They will happily fill you in."

2. Dress to impress, but don't sacrifice comfort.

It's important to look nice, but you don't have to don a jacket and tie. Tour-goers should put their best foot forward with a sturdy pair of walking shoes , and don't forget to dress for the weather.

"At Fairleigh Dickinson, tours go out rain or shine, so make sure to wear clothes that will keep you warm," Emily Bone, a junior at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey, said .

3. Don't forget to sign in, but skip the résumé .

Most schools have a check-in desk where you'll receive a campus map and other literature. But don't bother furnishing schools with your portfolio.

"Students can leave their résumés at home," Henry Millar, a senior at the College of William & Mary in Virginia, said. "Tour guides generally do not have any sway in the admissions process whatsoever, so feel free to save the paper."

4. Pay attention on the tour, but do it solo if possible.

Some schools offer to let parents and kids take separate tours, which has advantages.

"Get excited about your child's potential future in college, but give them some space to see what they think of that school on their own," Nathan Weisbrod, a junior at Wesleyan University in Connecticut, told BI.

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Students can comfortably ask questions without a parent present and compare notes afterward .

5. Ask all your questions, but avoid personal interrogations.

This is the time to inquire about any aspect of campus life , and don't feel shy about speaking up.

"Tour guides love getting questions because it allows us to cater the tour, especially in small groups, toward the needs and interests of the families on that specific tour," Halle Spataro, a senior at Bucknell University, said.

But some topics are off-limits, so don't ask your tour guide about their SAT scores , ACT scores , or what they wrote about in their essay .

6. Speak up, but let the student take the lead.

Parents may be tempted to raise their hands again and again, but this tour is about the student, so there should be space to let them shine.

"Try to take the back seat — or the passenger seat — but refrain from driving all of your child's interactions," Julian Jacklin, a junior at Reed College in Oregon, said. "Students who feel they can own that experience usually ask the most questions and engage with the tour more."

7. Say thanks, but don't leave with questions unanswered.

Maybe your guide didn't hear you, or your kid was reluctant to speak up. You can still get the information you want before leaving.

"There's a lot of information students are getting that day and a lot of excitement with being in a new place, which can make people forget to ask certain questions," Lorenzo Mars, a junior at Pepperdine University in California, said.

Therefore, get your tour guide's email address so that you can follow up .

8. You may know exactly what school is right but keep an open mind.

Don't be surprised if a city-living kid is suddenly intrigued by a small-town setting.

"The college search and college experience are all about getting to know yourself better and growing, so on a tour, students have to trust themselves and their judgment of the 'world' they've just stepped into," Thomas Elias, a senior at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania, said .

9. Take in as much as possible, but remember to have fun.

Sure, preparing for the next four years can be scary and stressful. But it's also an exciting milestone, so enjoy the ride.

"These tours serve as great opportunities to learn more about colleges — along with their cities, culture, and people," Connor Gee, a sophomore at the University of Mississippi, said. "Have fun with it!"

10. Weigh the pros and cons of the school, but don't stop there.

Your tour may be over, but you can still learn other ways to immerse yourself in college life .

"See if the school offers additional experiences, like eating in the cafeteria or attending a class," Emily Balda, a senior at Seton Hall University in New Jersey, said. "Consider it 'food for thought.'"

Watch: What new Citadel military college "knobs" go through on day one at the controversial school

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How Do I Apply to Law School?

• by Ryleigh J. Praker
• March 27, 2024

Well, here you are. You’ve decided you want to go to law school — but how do you get in? How do you know which schools to apply to? Will you need to take admission tests?

Having all these questions is normal. It’s also normal to feel lost and overwhelmed. But there’s nothing to be afraid of and no need for the process to seem opaque. Read on to learn about the application process, broken down into simple steps.

If you’re not sure about law school or want to learn more about what it’s like and whether you should apply, consider reading our article “ What You Need To Know About Law School .” If you don’t know much about law school, that article is a good place to start.

Applying to law school can be a daunting process, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are five steps to follow when setting off on your application journey.

1. Research many law schools

When searching for the right law school, there are a variety of factors you should consider. For example, you’ll want to think about location, cost of attendance and prestige. If you have an interest in a particular area of law, you should look for schools that have a strong program in that concentration.

As you build up your list of schools, you should organize them based on admissions statistics — acceptance rate, average GPA and average LSAT score. These factors will help you determine whether a school is in the safety, target or reach ranges for you.

A good place to start exploring law schools is the Law School Admission Council’s Official Guide . LSAC is an official organization on which law schools rely for admissions information coordination — sort of like the College Board for undergraduate institutions. LSAC administers the LSAT exam and manages the Credential Assembly Service, through which law schools accept applications.

2. Take the LSAT

The Law School Admission Test is a standardized test administered by LSAC. Offered several times throughout the year, the exam is divided into sections on reading comprehension, arguments and logic games. It’s designed to test your aptitude for the kind of reasoning that makes a good lawyer.

Your LSAT score will be a major factor law schools will consider when you apply. It will also offer a metric for you to determine whether a particular school is in your safety, target or reach ranges.

The LSAT is offered several times throughout the year. You should plan on taking it at least a few months before you send out applications, so you’ll have time to improve your score if necessary. Starting to prepare for the test at least two months in advance has been shown to improve outcomes. You’ll want to study the format of the test and, for the best results, take practice exams. You can start exploring official LSAT test preparation resources on the LSAC website.

3. Write a personal statement

In contrast to the LSAT’s quantitative metric of your aptitude, a personal statement offers a qualitative measure for schools. A personal statement is a short essay that you will submit with your application that discusses your personal history, interests, goals and strengths. It’s a chance for you to showcase what makes you unique.

For advice on this step, check out our article “ How to Write a Strong Personal Statement for Graduate School .” The UC Davis Office of Educational Opportunity and Enrichment Services also offers personal statement workshops and programs .

4. Request letters of recommendation

Letters of recommendation are another way for schools to qualitatively evaluate your academic success, work ethic and interests. They’re a way for you to stand out beyond the number on your LSAT report. Most schools will ask for two to three letters of recommendation, so start thinking early about who you’ll approach for them.

The key to receiving good letters of recommendation is building personal relationships with your professors and supervisors. Try out these tips:

• Attend office hours.
• Ask questions in class.
• Get involved in research.
• Share your interests.
• Ask for advice.

If you put in the effort to make genuine connections with them, your professors and supervisors will be happy to write passionate, personalized letters on your behalf.

For more advice on securing letters of recommendation, read our article “ How to Request Letters of Recommendation for Grad School .”

5. Keep on top of the admissions cycle

Just like applying to undergraduate studies, applying to law school is a lengthy process. You should plan to space out your application journey over at least six months. During this time, you’ll need to study for and take the LSAT, explore schools and prepare your application materials. Spacing the process out will allow you to keep a healthy balance with your studies and personal life.

Most law schools begin accepting applications in the fall of the preceding year and continue to accept them well into the spring. It’s recommended that you apply early in the cycle to have the best chance at securing a spot.

Now go on — you’ve got this

Applying to law school can be draining and nerve-wracking. Just remember that no matter what, you are good enough — it’s just about presenting your unique, talented self in the best way.

For more advice on the law school application process, read our article “ 6 Things I Wish I Knew When I Applied to Law School .”

How to apply to UC Davis School of Law

What you need to know about law school

R.J. Praker (she/her) is a third year pursuing a bachelor’s degree in political science with minors in professional writing and Russian . She currently works as a writing intern for UC Davis' Office of Strategic Communications and an academic peer advisor for the Department of Political Science . She also serves as chief copy editor at the Davis Political Review . R.J. is from Placerville, California and loves to hike in the Sierra Nevada with her family’s dogs.

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Knight’s Festival

Knight’s Festival: Knight’s Festival is a four-day secondary school celebration held annually. Major events include panel discussions, workshops, competitions (baking, art, sword fighting, volleyball, basketball, archery…), community service projects, and a feast in which the students provide entertainment.