Overall, I love Davidson. Everyone loves Davidson, even though we complain about the workload sometimes. The small, friendly community that allows us to connect with both our peers and professors is something that I wouldn't trade for the world. The best thing about it is definitely the Honor Code. It's not just a piece of paper that we sign that tells us to try not to cheat on tests. It's a lifestyle that everyone on campus follows in order to maintain a mutual bond of trust between peers, between peers/professors, and every other relationship in the community. I can leave my laptop in the Union for 3 hours and ensure that it will still be there. My professors trust me to take a test to the library and abide by time limits and the closed-book rule-that way, I can take it on my own time in the best environment for me. It's the best.
The unusual thing about Davidson is just how friendly and open it is. I LOVE the fact that all parties and Union events are open to ALL Davidson students (except for formals). To get into a fraternity/eating-house party, the only thing you need is a Davidson ID. Anyone can come to F. In fact, there is a rule at Davidson against exclusive fraternity/eating house parties unless they are open to the entire campus at some point in the night. So, for example, if Rusk has a sisterhood from 8-11, it is open to the whole campus from 11-2. Eating Houses are open to any girl who wants to be in one-no girl can be denied from joining an eating house, which took off a TON of pressure of rushing. I filled out a form online and got notified at the end of the week. Done.
The only thing I would really change about Davidson? I would make quesadillas available in the Union at all hours, and not just from 9-11 PM. When I'm really hungry, I literally stare at the clock until 9...they're that good, especially the black bean and cheese ones. There's nothing worse than eating a small dinner at Commons and 5 and craving a quesadilla at 8. On a more serious note, I might abolish the frats and establish male eating-houses...the girls have it so easy (everyone gets into an eating house, selection is done by an algorithm, you are guaranteed your first or second choice, and you are guaranteed to be with up to 3 of your friends), so why do the guys have to go through rush, pledging, etc?
When I tell people I go to Davidson, most ask me, "Oh, where's that?", or "Is that a junior college?" (my personal favorite). That bothered me at first, but then I realized that you'll get that with almost any small liberal arts college, especially if you're traveling halfway across the country for it. But we have so much school pride in our alumni network that it's worth it. A woman on a plane overheard that I go to Davidson, and she offered me an internship and gave me her business card. There aren't as many connections as a state school, but the connections you do get are STRONG. And that's absolutely priceless, something you will not get anywhere else. When you go to Davidson, you come to understand that there is just so much love for this school from al of the people who know it.
Davidson is a unique place, and it is an honor to be a student here. When you come here, you recognize that bond. Despite the workload, this bond makes us feel like we're the luckiest students in the country.