Davidson College: A Comprehensive Guide to Application Requirements and Deadlines

Davidson College is a highly selective liberal arts college committed to enrolling students from diverse backgrounds who demonstrate the potential to contribute to the college community and make a meaningful impact after graduation. Admission to Davidson requires careful review of each application. This article provides a detailed overview of Davidson College's application requirements, deadlines, and other essential information for prospective students.

Academic Requirements

Applicants must fulfill secondary school graduation requirements before enrolling at Davidson. While at least 16 high school units are required, successful candidates typically have 20 units. These units should include:

4 units of English
3 units of mathematics
2 units of the same second language (including American Sign Language)
2 units of science
2 units of history/social studies

Candidates should take at least five academic subjects each year in secondary school, unless their school curriculum is structured around four. A final transcript reflecting successful completion of the academic program and high school graduation is required in June. The college expects that the student's academic caliber and personal conduct will remain consistent with what was presented during the admission process.

Application Process

Davidson offers two application platforms:

Common Application: Applicants can complete and submit the Common Application, a $50 application fee, and the Davidson Common Application Writing Supplement. The Supplement is mandatory for Common Application users.
Coalition Application: Students can use the Coalition Application platform with a $50 application fee.

Regardless of the application platform, supporting materials include:

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Official high school transcripts
SAT or ACT test scores (optional; see testing policy below)
Recommendations from a high school counselor, teacher, and peer

Standardized Testing Policy

Davidson College is test-optional for all admission and scholarship programs. Students may choose whether or not to submit SAT or ACT scores. If a student chooses to submit scores, Davidson accepts self-reported scores at the time of application but requires official scores upon enrollment. The writing portion of the SAT or ACT is not considered.

For students submitting the SAT or ACT, Davidson's middle 50% range of scores for admitted students is:

SAT: 1350-1500
ACT: 31-34

While Davidson does not have a minimum score requirement, applicants should aim for the 75th percentile (1500 SAT or 34 ACT) to increase their chances of admission. Davidson does superscore the SAT, meaning they will combine the highest section scores from multiple test dates.

Application Deadlines

Application deadline dates may vary from year to year. It is important to check the Davidson College website for the most up-to-date information.

Davidson offers an Early Decision Plan, which is binding for applicants who are certain they want to attend Davidson. Early Decision applications are either accepted, denied, or deferred to the Regular Decision pool. Deferred candidates are re-evaluated during the Regular Decision selection process.

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Regular Decision application deadline is January 10.

Deferral Policy

With the permission of the Dean of Admission and Financial Aid, an admitted first-year student may defer matriculation for one year without reapplying. To defer, the student must:

Confirm their intent to enroll at Davidson
Submit the required $1,000 enrollment deposit
Submit a written request for deferral prior to May 1, detailing plans for the interim year, including programs, locations, and dates.

Campus Visits

While not required, a campus visit is strongly encouraged. Davidson offers group and senior-to-senior information sessions conducted by admission officers or senior admission fellows. These sessions are not evaluative. Prospective students are welcome to eat on campus, attend extracurricular activities, and speak with current students and faculty. Campus tours and information sessions are scheduled daily and on Saturdays during peak visitation periods (spring and fall).

Transfer Credits

First-year students may transfer a maximum of four credits from courses taken prior to entering Davidson, including AP, IB, joint enrollment, and summer school courses. Students exceeding this limit may choose which credits to apply. Selections can be made or changed by notifying the Registrar’s Office.

Davidson recognizes the Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board and the International Baccalaureate Program Examinations for admission and placement purposes. Credit is typically awarded for International Baccalaureate exams passed with a grade of 6 or 7, up to a maximum of four courses.

A maximum of four courses taken in dual enrollment programs may be eligible for credit, provided the courses are equivalent and meet all transfer requirements. Each dual enrollment program is evaluated individually after matriculation.

Davidson accepts transfer credit from other regionally accredited colleges and universities if the courses align with the college's academic objectives and the grade earned is equivalent to a Davidson "C-" or better. One full academic year at another institution typically transfers as eight courses, with a maximum of 16 transfer courses accepted toward graduation.

International Students

Davidson welcomes international students and requires them to have completed a secondary school program of study equivalent to university entrance requirements in their own country. Non-native English speakers must demonstrate fluency through recommendations, writing samples, and successful performance on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), also available through the College Board. The College Board number for Davidson College is 5150.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Davidson offers admission without regard to financial circumstances, except in the case of international students where competition for financial aid is keen. In 2019-20, Davidson students received over $49 million in financial assistance from college sources. Through the Davidson Trust, students' calculated financial need is met entirely with grants and student employment, provided all financial aid application deadlines are met.

Prospective students seeking need-based financial aid must complete the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit completed tax documents to the College Board IDOC service.

Merit scholarships are also available to a limited number of entering students based on scholastic promise, ability, character, leadership, and potential contribution to society. Some scholarships may require auditions, interviews, portfolio reviews, or writing samples.

Merit Scholarships

Every admitted student is considered for General Merit Scholarships, selected by the Dean of Admission and Financial Aid, the Director of Merit Programs, and the admission staff based on the strength of the admission application. These scholarships are renewable if recipients maintain a satisfactory GPA and progress toward degree requirements.

Nomination Scholarships are the most competitive awards offered by the college. Candidates must be nominated by heads of school, college counselors, or the admission and financial aid staff. These include:

John M. Belk Scholarships: Up to eight scholarships covering comprehensive fees, plus two special study stipends of $3,000 each.
Lowell L. Bryan Scholarships: Two $35,000 scholarships for students who demonstrate exceptional athletic and academic abilities.
Charles Scholarships: Up to three scholarships for high-achieving students from the Chicago Public School System.

Competition Scholarships

Nominees for Competition Scholarships are selected by the Dean of Admission and Financial Aid, the Director of Merit Programs, and the admission staff. Finalists participate in a scholarship interview. These scholarships are renewable if recipients maintain a satisfactory GPA, make progress toward their degrees, and are actively involved in the college community. Examples include:

Missy and John Kuykendall Scholarships: Two $25,000 awards for students who demonstrate servant leadership potential.
Amos Norris Scholarship: An award for an outstanding first-year student-athlete with integrity, a strong work ethic, and excellent leadership qualities.
William Holt Terry Scholarships: Two awards covering full tuition and fees for students with specific talents or areas of study, requiring a separate application.

Application Scholarships

These scholarships require a separate application and can be renewed throughout the recipients’ upper-class years, provided GPA and progress toward degree requirements are met. An example is:

Rupert T. Barber Scholarship: A $5,000 award for a first-year student demonstrating exceptional talent and passion for theatre.

Maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid

To receive grants, loans, or work assistance, students must maintain satisfactory academic progress, reviewed annually. The standards of academic progress for financial aid parallel the definition of "good standing" as defined by the faculty:

After two semesters: 1.60 cumulative GPA and seven courses completed
After four semesters: 1.80 cumulative GPA and fifteen courses completed
After six semesters: 2.00 cumulative GPA and twenty-four courses completed

First-year students meeting rigorous admission criteria are presumed to be in good standing throughout their first year if they carry at least a half-time course load.

Need-based institutional grant support is available for a maximum of eight semesters (pro-rated for transfer students). In cases where academic standards have not been met, financial aid may be offered on a probationary basis for one semester if mitigating circumstances warrant it. Students whose financial aid eligibility is rescinded due to lack of academic progress receive written notice and may appeal to the Director of Financial Aid.

Students can re-establish eligibility by improving their GPA and course totals at their own expense, through summer sessions or during the academic year.

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