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Comparable Schools'
Diversity Grades:
College Prowler Take
If Davidson consistently fields one criticism as an institution, this is it. Diversity is a hot topic on campus, resurfacing in conversations among students and admissions officials alike. Each semester, the Davidsonian, the student-run newspaper, prints multiple articles addressing issues of diversity on campus, all stemming from one basic conclusion—there simply isn’t enough of it. The numbers reflect this, with just above 12 percent of the student body composed of racial minorities each year. At a school of 1,700, that’s about 200 people. For many minorities on campus, the lack of diversity is an everyday challenge. Minority students continually express concerns that their sole purpose at Davidson is to make the school look good, or that they’re only a number or a statistic. Others say that the school is not truly dedicated to shedding its “white Christian male” foundations. Despite the setbacks in terms of diversity on paper, however, this is very much an accepting and respectful atmosphere. Many students here have friends of all races and religions, and a primary frustration for many is that “diversity” is frequently made into more of an issue than it needs to be. Most Davidson students will tell you that their outlook is entirely colorblind. And diversity, you’ll learn at Davidson, comes in forms other than color. Needless to say, the great variety of individuals and ideas presented on campus makes Davidson seem a great deal more “diverse” than the numbers might indicate. Students Speak Out
Love your school more than free food? Hate your school more than term papers?
Somewhere in between? Show the world what YOU think of YOUR school:
DavSD says: Davidson College 2016 Undecided  |
Davidson appears from the outside...
Davidson appears from the outside to be a preppy, upper-middle class, white school, and this is pretty accurate. We have our share of international students and minorities, but the vast majority of the student body is homogeneous. There is a mix of political affiliations, as seen during the election this year. However, for the most part, most students are polite, well-dressed young men and women.
Diversity: February 16, 2009
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DavCJ says: Davidson College 2016 Social Sciences |
It's pretty diverse especially...
It's pretty diverse especially ideologically, politically, and economically. A lot of backgrounds are represented. Minorities have a good number. It's like 10 percent, but many black kids hang out by themselves, so it's easy to miss them often if you are white and your friends are too. I couldn't stereotype Davidson any particular way.
Diversity: February 16, 2009
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viboone says: |
People complain all the time that...
People complain all the time that Davidson is not very diverse, and all of these people have a point. What they don't say is that our campus is working really hard to become more diverse. It's going to be a slow process, but we are trying to do something about it, and I think that's really important. It's not like all the students embrace the lack of diversity and try to maintain it.
Diversity: August 06, 2008
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Anonymous says: |
Campus diversity is one of the few...
Campus diversity is one of the few gripes I have about Davidson. It isn’t very racially diverse, but there are lots of the same types of people. It is understandable that many people with similar interests would come to a school like Davidson, but I had hoped more views and interests would be represented, and in greater numbers than there actually are. |
Anonymous says: |
The campus is not very diverse,...
The campus is not very diverse, but that’s something the college is continually trying to change with each incoming class. We do draw in many international students, but diversity in socioeconomic backgrounds is limited because of the small number of scholarships and the high tuition for a liberal arts education. |
FactsEconomic Status
Though Davidson’s upper-middle class stereotype still generally holds true, the expansive financial aid options now available have made Davidson accessible to a much broader range of people. In 2007, Davidson changed its financial aid system to meet 100% of demonstrated need and eliminated loans from its financial-aid packages entirely by offering grants and work-study jobs instead. As a result, there are students from various socioeconomic backgrounds, and many paying their own way.
Gay Pride
Organizations such as the Gay-Straight Alliance and YANASH (You Are Not A Stranger Here) actively work to integrate the gay and straight communities on campus, as well as to promote acceptance of different lifestyles. Though Davidson has a long way to go, students are generally accepting and gay-friendly; the number of open homosexuals on campus is on the rise, and the population as a whole supports them. It is not uncommon for homosexual students to feel somewhat separated from the straight community, however.
Minority Clubs
The Black Student Coalition (BSC) is one of the largest minority organizations along with the International Student Association. More recent organizations include the Association of Students Interested in Asia (ASIA) and the African American fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha.
Most Common Religions
Of religious students on campus, a majority are Christian (predominantly Protestant, some Catholic). There is also an active Jewish student organization, as well as a small Buddhist minority. While Davidson has its share of Christian fundamentalists, an equally large number of students are self-proclaimed agnostics or atheists. For those who are religious, Davidson's campus plays host to a Presbyterian worship service, a Catholic mass, a Muslim prayer meeting, an Episcopal Eucharist, and a Quaker meeting each week. Shabbat services and Hillel Fellowship programming are also staples of Davidson's on-campus religious life.
Political Activity
It is difficult to classify in which direction Davidson’s political meter points, as the “liberal” in “liberal arts education” pulls strongly to the left, while the Southern roots of many Davidson students push strongly to the right. While political sentiment on campus is not overwhelming, campus political organizations and their ringleaders are certainly a visible force. Political groups from both sides were incredibly active this year because of the 2008 Presidential Election. Davidson also made an active effort to educate its students on the issues; there were numerous forums and discussions to ensure that students were aware of the issues surrounding the election.
Most Recent Contributing Author
Name: Annie Maietta
Hometown: Weston, MA
Major: Undecided Annie has four siblings: one of her older sisters went to Davidson, and her younger brother aspires to. Contributing Author Internship
College Prowler is actively seeking talented students to be "Contributing Authors," and assist with updating
the College Prowler guide to their school. This is a great opportunity for a student to gain internship experience, be a part of a nationally
recognized company, gain tremendous exposure, utilize new media techniques, and share advice with high school students about what life is
really like at your college. Read more about the internship.
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