Davidson College Top Questions

Probably eating houses (which are for women) and fraternities. There is also the awesome Davidson Outdoors Program, which speaks to the typical nature loving person that goes here. Club sports are super fun, and many people enjoy whatever the student activities board prepares for us, because they plan activities based off of student interest.

tennis,basketball and other varsity athletes

Statistically, the most popular group on campus is D1 sports-- a full 25{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the student body is a student-athlete. Many more participate in club or intramural sports teams. Sports aside, Davidson has a very active 'Environmental Action Coalition' or EAC which makes waves on campus. They have regularly sent students to events and conferences in Washington, DC! Davidson loves the outdoors, with a popular 'Davidson Outdoors' or DO club providing weekend trips for whitewater kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, and tons of other activities. They also have a litany of equipment and tools to use or rent. They'll fix your bike, show you how to belay, and WAFA certify you all in one. Other big groups on campus are the slam poetry group FreeWord, the step team Shades of Brown, the always lively DJ's of the student-run WALT radio, the DUFF ultimate frisbee team, the school newspaper The Davidsonian is always a favorite, the OOPS! improv comedy group, and probably 70 or so other groups are all active. There is a group for everyone. In fact, most people join several! One of the great things about Davidson is how easy it is to be involved. Sophomores are presidents of several majors clubs, and it's not unusual in the slightest. Recently a student decided to start an International Justice Mission group on campus. In under a year the group has over a hundred members and has raised thousands of dollars for their cause, and thousands of dollars in programming grants to further their IJM chapter. Outside of groups and clubs, Davidson students have interests as varied as they are. Which means that most people drink, but many people choose other things to do. There are always things going on both up and down the hill and there isn't judgement for whatever lifestyle decisions are made. Sober or not, everyone loves getting free Chick-fil-a or Moe's at After Midnight's. Before midnight? See a free movie screening, go to a lecture, laser tag in the union, cuddle with puppies during exam time, see a slam poetry performance. There is always something going on for everyone. In a frat or independent? You'll go to the same party and no one will question it or care. Of course, arguably the most popular tradition and activity on campus is the midnight scream. At midnight for the start of Reading Day the entire campus lets out their loudest screams in recognition of the agony that awaits.

Patterson Court is the focus of the social life. This is compromised of the Fraternities and Eating Houses that about half of Davidson students are a part of. The parties (except formals) are all open, so there is no need to join a fraternity if you are only in it for partying, but for that reason the fraternities are better organizations. People don't join to party but to be part of a greater good. Everybody can go to the parties, so the only people who join the organizations are those who want to be involved in the other aspects of fraternities eg community service, brotherhood, leadership etc.

The Union Board at Davidson sponsors many different events that do not involve drinking. For example, they sponsor April at the Lake (Davidson owns a piece of land on Lake Norman- a few miles away from campus), paint your own pottery, casino night, and many other activities. I met my closest friends from my freshman hall. Davidson students enjoy going to Bonsai, a sushi place, and the Soda Shop which are both located on Main Street in Davidson.

Man, I don't think I've gone to bed before midnight more than twice all semester. Now that's not true for all students, but for me, I just can't get enough of hanging out with friends, watching trashy TV, raiding the Union café, and cramming for reviews when it's one thirty in the morning. The glory of Davidson is that whatever your interests, there'll be something fun for you to do. There's been ice skating in the Union, brake-dance competitions, fascinating lectures, wicked good basketball, raging parties on the Court, and everything in between.

Fraternities and eating houses (similar to sororities) are strong on campus, but they do not dominate the social scene. There are plenty of other things to do besides party. I lived on a substance free hall my freshman year, and on weekend nights, we would watch a movie or play a board game together. The student union frequently provides activities that draw a crowd, also. Sometimes people just have parties in their rooms. Athletic events, especially basketball games, draw people, too. In general, people are always friendly and always open to new friends. It is fairly easy to connect with different groups of people, if that is what one wants to do. However, some people find a perfect niche in one group and they do everything with that group.

Students always leave their doors open in the dorms, and the Union is a great place to find people. The Student Government Association does a ton for the campus every year, and there are dozens of very active student groups on campus doing amazing, real things - the school is very supportive of impactful organizations and funds good causes. Dating scene is either hook-ups or living like married couples. Basketball games are fully attended but other games are smaller, lots of friends of teammates. Guest speakers are phenomenal, theatre is not.

Fraternities are mostly responsible for a social life. There is an overwhelming majority of guys at Davidson in fraternities (approximately 40{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}). People find cliques, then party with their own cliques, which is typical. On a Saturday night, you can go to the Union and have a grand old sober yet fun time. People don't party much, compared to big schools (in the Big Ten for example).

The most popular team on campus is definitely the basketball team. I think some of my male friends idolize some of the players. Students tend to leave their doors open on the freshman halls, but even if they aren't people aren't that far away and you can always just go knock on someone's door to go hang out. People always complain that dating at davidson doesn't exist. They think it's a complete hook-up culture. It is definitely possible to have a relationship on campus - I did, but hooking up is definitely another popular option. I think it's really up to the person. If you're awake at 2am you're either playing halo or guitar hero with your buddies or studying in the Union with a group of other people who are still working too. People are pretty serious about studying during the week, with the exception of wednesday nights, and then the second friday hits the books are put away and everybody is in relax mode. People tend to go out and drink and then go out to the court to dance or hang out on Friday and Saturday nights. You can always find a place to drink by the senior apartments and a place to dance on the court.