Diversity & Access

We welcome you.

Differences are grounds for exploration. Not only do our students accept differences—they are driven to explore them. Students have the opportunity to live with, learn from, and share experiences with students of different backgrounds, beliefs, and perspectives.

This work begins with the Office of Admission and Financial Aid, where we strive to enrich our community by attracting and supporting students of diverse backgrounds and perspectives through their college search and application process.

Applying to Davidson

For students utilizing the QuestBridge application or those attending high school outside of the United States and Puerto Rico, there is no application fee.

For domestic students, if the application fee poses a financial hardship, please contact us at admission@davidson.edu to request a fee waiver.

Requesting a fee waiver does not disadvantage your application for admission in any way.

During the week of October 21-27, 2024, North Carolina residents may submit the Common Application to Davidson for free.

Students may obtain the waiver by choosing "North Carolina College Application Week" on the dropdown menu of school-specific fee waivers on the Common Application. Please contact us at admission@davidson.edu with questions and to learn more about the NC Countdown to College.

We encourage interested students to apply for admission regardless of their immigration status. At Davidson, undocumented students are considered domestic applicants. Please contact Marlene Arellano, Associate Director & Director of Diversity and Inclusion, at maarellano@davidson.edu with questions about the admission and financial aid process.

Learn More About Resources For Undocumented Students

Through a three-part dynamic assessment process, our staff partners with the Posse Foundation to select two cohorts of Scholars—called Posses—every fall. This year, Davidson will be recruiting Posses from Miami and from across the country through the Virtual Posse program

As a proud QuestBridge partner institution, every year we admit and enroll high-achieving low-income students through the National College Match program and QuestBridge Regular Decision.

Learn more about our QuestBridge partnership

Living at Davidson

STRIDE Leaders Talk to Group

The Center for Student Diversity & Inclusion fosters an inclusive and welcoming environment on campus for systemically underrepresented student populations including students of color, students of diverse genders and sexualities, first-generation students and undocumented students.

A great picture of Davidson students celebrating Diwali, the Festival of Lights

Davidson encourages students to acknowledge and discuss the faith traditions and spiritual practices of its diverse student body and supports students of all faiths and religious traditions. The Chaplains' Office nurtures a spiritual environment, offering a wide range of opportunities for worship, fellowship, service and study.

Student studies in the Wall Center sitting in an oversized chair by the window

The AADR Office provides academic support to any student seeking to improve their academic performance and supports students with disabilities to provide equal access to the college’s campus, services, programs and activities.

image of calculator and money

We understand that being part of a residential community like Davidson can be an expensive experience, so we’re humbled to be able to offer many great services for students of any background as they make their transition from high school to college to post-Davidson.

Latinx Sorority Women holding a cake

There are a number of student-led organizations and affinity groups that promote advocacy, belonging and community building. These organizations work to elevate the experiences of historically excluded and underrepresented identities.

Student on laptop in Nummit

Beyond our deeply supportive and tight-knit community, Davidson offers a wide array of services, programs, grants and other types of student support. Explore the many resources from loaner laptops to public speaking consultants to emergency financial support and so much more.