My Davidson | A Student Blog Finding Home Thousands of Miles Away

Students from the western United States share what it was like to move to the east coast for college and offer advice for prospective students considering the decision to attend an east coast school like Davidson College. 

What was your transition from the west coast to Davidson like? What do you wish you had known?

I was scared about the transition to Davidson since I didn't know anyone, but I just filled my time with clubs and said yes to as many involvements as I could stand. It took a while to stop feeling lost, but eventually I did and what ultimately made Davidson feel like home was when I could walk around campus and find a friendly face (whether that was a professor, staff member, or peer) wherever I went.

I wish more prospective students knew about the number of extracurricular opportunities Davidson provides for its students. I would have felt better about my decision to enroll knowing that Davidson would help me find and explore new opportunities that I had never dreamed of but were really easy with Davidson's help.

What advice do you have for prospective students going through the process?

It can be an overwhelming process so remember to also enjoy time at home before you leave for college. You will end up wherever you are meant to be.

Why did you choose Davidson?

Davidson is a school that balances academic rigor with the importance of investing in the community around you. Students are not only encouraged to pursue high level academics, but also to take a break and really connect with their peers. I feel like I have known my friends at Davidson for my whole life, as people have such a desire to connect with you. Professors want to help you, clubs and activities are always opening their doors to new members, and your classmates are always there to offer a smile as you come to class everyday. I feel like you can get the perfect college experience at Davidson, between the easy access to Charlotte, the charming nature of a small town like Davidson, and the abundant amount of activities on campus. There is never a lack of something to do and people to become closer to.

What was your transition from the west coast to Davidson like? What do you wish you had known?

The first week of classes, my roommate and I opened our door and invited everyone from our hall to come play board games in our room. We all sat there, barely knowing each other, but all longing for belonging and connection. We ended up hanging out for hours. It was one of the first times when I took a step back and realized that these are my classmates, and I am so thankful to be surrounded by such an amazing group of people.

Something that is not as well known about Davidson is the amount of grant money that is available for students. Whether you want to conduct research in a foreign country, travel and take classes, or get compensated for a low paying internship, Davidson truly wants you to experience everything. I never thought that I would have so many opportunities to explore and study, all paid for by my college.

What advice do you have for prospective students going through the process?

With so many colleges and universities around the country, it can seem like a daunting task to find the "perfect" school for you. Start by figuring out where you generally want to spend the next 4 years of your life, I know for me I didn't want anywhere with super extreme weather. Then you can start to narrow down the schools by size, values, and programs that interest you. Don't get too overwhelmed! You are going to be happy at so many different schools!

Why did you choose Davidson?

I chose Davidson because of the small, welcoming, and trusting community. The small class sizes at Davidson would allow me to get to know not only my classmates but also my professors. Davidson offers so many volunteer and learning opportunities that would allow me to gain experience for my future endeavors. I wanted a school that would allow me to have the academic resources I needed to prosper in college, and Davidson gave me just that.

What was your transition from the west coast to Davidson like? What do you wish you had known?

Moving thousands of miles away from home takes work. I remember feeling nervous about moving from the West to the East Coast. For me, it was the people that made it start to feel like home. During freshman orientation, I felt welcomed by everyone who were excited to see me and other students come to Davidson. STRIDE, another pre-orientation program designed for people of color also allowed me to meet so many wonderful people that I now consider as long-lasting friends. I even remember during my freshman year I stayed on campus for Thanksgiving break and I thought I was going to spend the holiday on my own. Instead, two of my professors invited me to their lovely home for Thanksgiving dinner. The students, staff, and professors are beyond friendly, always willing to help, and want to see you strive for success that has helped me see Davidson as my second loving home.

I wish I had known the amount of support and guidance I would have had here at Davidson. As a first-generation student, applying to college was difficult and included asking for help a a lot. The resources here at Davidson, including the writing center, tutoring, office hours, advising, career support, and much more, have been very helpful as a student trying to adjust to college. If I knew I would have this much support, my choice would have always been Davidson College.

What advice do you have for prospective students going through the process?

As someone who comes from a low-income background, asking questions was very valuable in my college search process. Do not be afraid to reach out to current students and staff to ask questions. Try to really get to know the schools you will be applying to and attending through virtual and in-person tours. You will be there for the next four years, and you need to make sure it will fit both your personal and academic needs.

Why did you choose Davidson?

The deep unity amongst the community. Yes, Davidson is a highly rigorous, academic institution with many opportunities for students to try. Yes, Davidson has multiple great achievements from a long-standing history. But, even greater than those aspects are the people behind them. The student body, instructors, and staff at Davidson are what makes Davidson what it is. The constant striving to lend a helping hand, big or small, is a trait that anyone affiliated with Davidson has. Scholars who can spend lighthearted fun at an event, but then spend countless committed time in the library hours later are something I admire. Their kindness meets no bounds either; Davidson is full of friendly faces and to me, that has made it be exactly like home.

What was your transition from the west coast to Davidson like? What do you wish you had known?

My first time at Davidson was the first time I’d ever traveled this East. Being a 24-hour drive from home, I prepared to adapt to the environment, culture, and countless other things. Nobody in my family could travel with me, so I had to handle this burden alone. This made me anxious, especially since I didn’t connect with anyone prior and was going in completely blind. However, that simply wasn’t the case. The first three weeks were weird, I was hesitant about going anywhere and if I was doing the right things; I was also by myself. Yet, one QuestBridge first-year breakfast changed that entire trajectory. I met some of my now best friends and that anxiety gradually vanished. Not only did they give me the confidence to go out and try things, but made Davidson feel like a second home, even with my family so far away.

As a first-generation student, I genuinely had no clue how college worked – let alone an institution like Davidson. I had extreme assumptions about having no help and needing to figure every issue out on my own, but upon arriving at Davidson, it was clear that simply wasn't true. Davidson has a ton of important resources that I never would’ve thought a college provided and encouraged use of! The writing center, embedded tutors, and workshops are some of the few I have utilized and can confidently say have helped my college journey thus far. Before my enrollment, I feared being left to learn to do everything alone. However, if I knew that the truth was exactly the opposite of what I believed, it would’ve saved me a lot of hesitance.

What advice do you have for prospective students going through the process?

Trust your gut! You know yourself better than anyone else.

Why did you choose Davidson?

My experience at Davidson has been incredible. The "small-school" characteristics that help to build tight communities exist in classroom spaces, but also in student life and organizations around campus. In every club that I have spent time in (Davidson Outdoors, Russian Club, WALT Radio, Computer Science Club - Hack@Davidson, etc...) the community has been resoundingly warm and welcoming. I have built incredible friendships at Davidson and a huge factor is students and teachers being excited to lean into the Davidson community.

What was your transition from the west coast to Davidson like? What do you wish you had known?

When I was figuring out of Davidson was the right school for me before entering my freshman year of college. I had a zoom meeting with some Davidson students from the west coast. In this conversation I was exposed to the experiences and stories of Davidson students who had similar backgrounds as me. One thing that many of these students referenced was the Davidson Outdoors (DO) program. As someone from Colorado, I was very interested in how I could stay connected to outdoor experiences when I was in college. I participated in a DO rock climbing trip my freshman fall and fell in love with it. Now I am one of the co-presidents of the Davidson Rock Climbing club and help lead similar trips for other students!

I was I had known that getting involved and having leadership positions within organizations on campus is encouraged, straightforward, and easy. Myself and many of my friends have had significant roles in clubs like Squash/Pickleball, Davidson Newspaper, STEM Enrichment, Health Justice Committee, and many others just by showing up and being motivated. This is something special about Davidson and has been pivotal in my growth as a student here.

What advice do you have for prospective students going through the process?

It can be really difficult to make a decision when figuring out what college feels right for you, but I think that trusting your gut is super important when making the decision. Being excited to engage with your peers, clubs, and classes when you finally get to school is paramount to your integration into college. If you want it to work and are leaning into the experience, that's when you will get the most out of it. Davidson was the school I felt excited about and because of that, I have had an amazing experience.