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New Student Orientation
During this three-day event, you'll have the opportunity to spend time with lots of people who will be integral to your time at Davidson. Meet your academic adviser, learn about the college and its values, and visit with representatives from different college departments and programs.
Learn MoreFamily Picnic
In addition to the big move-in, Orientation weekend includes events and programming for students and parents. Before parents head home, first-year hallmates along with their families will sit together at the farewell picnic and enjoy lunch under the trees.
Learn MoreInternational Students
There are many programs and resources to assist new international students. The International Student Office coordinates a pre-orientation program designed specifically for international students and their families. You'll learn about getting matched with a local host family, and receive information and advice for your time at Davidson.
Learn moreHonor Code
The Honor Code, a student-run honor system that has existed at Davidson for more than 100 years, remains one of Davidson's most cherished traditions. New students participate in an Honor Code signing ceremony at the beginning of the fall semester.
Academic Advising
During New Student Orientation you will meet with your pre-major adviser to review your initial schedule and make any necessary changes. Your adviser will also review the graduation and distribution requirements and answer any questions you may have.
Learn moreStudent Services
The Student Life team of seasoned educators are dedicated to helping students prepare for lives of leadership and service. We coordinate New Student Orientation, publish the Student Handbook and provide many support services ranging from health and safety to academic assistance.
Learn MoreCampus Living
Your room is more than just a place to sleep and study; it's a place to live and learn. As a residential campus, Davidson requires all students to live on campus throughout their time as a student. First-year students are assigned to double-rooms in residence halls, so every incoming student will have a roommate that has been carefully selected based on responses to the housing preference form.
Learn MoreCommunity Involvement Fair
The Center for Civic Engagement hosts an annual Community Involvement Fair where students, faculty, and staff members explore the range of opportunities in our area and become familiar with the resources in our community related to social change issues.
Learn MoreWelcome new Wildcats! We understand that you will have many questions about coming to Davidson—we are here to help, starting with this compilation of important information and resources to make your transition to Davidson a smooth one. We look forward to seeing you on campus!
Davidson offers an assortment of pre-orientation programs that allow students to immerse themselves in the Davidson community prior to the start of the academic year.
Designed to provide a unique, challenging, and fun transition to life at Davidson, students can select from three Odyssey experiences that run in July and August. The Odyssey is great way to meet your fellow students before classes begin.
Students Together Reaching for Individual Development and Education (STRIDE) is a peer-mentoring program designed to support first-year multicultural students with their adjustment to Davidson College. Pre-college enrichment is a critical part of the STRIDE initiative. It takes place for three days just before the college's general orientation.
Sapere Aude ("dare to think") is the pre-orientation retreat for students enrolled in the Humanities 103/104 course "Connections and Conflicts I and II: REVOLUTION." Students take part in three days of community building and close reading and discussion of a few key texts with Humanities faculty and fellows.
All students enter Davidson as undecided majors and have until the end of their sophomore year to declare a major. Use this time to explore the subjects and courses that interest you, while also fulfilling graduation requirements. The Registrar's Office can assist you with academic information, tools, resources, academic advising and answers to questions that may arise along the way.
Learn about the foreign language requirement and, if applicable, take an online placement test prior to June 21. Students who have taken AP, IB or joint-enrollment courses may qualify for pre-college credit, and should therefore consider the next-level course. Students considering the introductory chemistry course, CHE 115, must take an online diagnostic exam prior to June 30.
The Registrar's Office can help you through the phases of course registration, provide course selection advice, and assist you in the enrollment process. Your online registration must be completed by June 29 via WebTree.
Davidson's Pre-Major Advising Program provides first- and second-year students holistic, ongoing, formal support in all aspects of the Davidson experience—academic, co-curricular/extra-curricular, social and career—up to the time they declare their academic majors.
The Residence Life Office takes extraordinary care in pairing first-year roommates and creating diverse community environments. To assist in this process, you will receive an email the first week in May with a link to a housing preference form and a link to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), which are used in the assignments process. For more information, read our guide to campus living.
Each student is issued a CatCard, a photo-ID card that provides access to buildings on campus and meals. Photos can be submitted electronically to gadaily@davidson.edu or by physical mail to: Davidson College, CatCard Services, P.O. Box 7160, Davidson, NC, 28035-7160. View CatCard Services for photo requirements and more information.
Receive your roommate and room assignment at your Davidson email address.
Dining Services focuses on nutrition, variety, freshness, and sustainability. First-year students are automatically enrolled in a 16 Meal Plan, but can opt to enroll in the 21 Meal Plan. Learn more about meal plans (changes to enrollment available in May).
Sign in to Banner Self Service and complete the New Student Information Form.
Look out for an email from Davidson ITS explaining how to activate your Davidson email and other important accounts. After June 1, all important information will be sent to your Davidson email address.
Students are strongly encouraged to consider employment during their time at Davidson.
Finalize your resume and complete your profile on Davidson’s internal job and internship posting system, Handshake.
Apply to jobs through Handshake. Work Study students who are offered employment as part of their financial aid package are given priority. The priority window begins in mid-July and runs through the end of August.
Once you have secured a job on campus, you must complete the necessary employment forms. It is strongly recommended that students bring the required paperwork and documentation to New Student Orientation, Aug. 16-19.
We are dedicated to the physical, emotional and mental well being of every Davidson student. Learn about our health center services, and download the medical history and physical exam form that must be completed and submitted by all incoming Davidson students.
Each student must have medical insurance, either through a private insurance company plan or the insurance package offered through the college's Academic Health Plan. Please read our frequently asked questions to help address some of the common questions we are asked.
At the end of May, watch for instructions from Business Services for setting up access to your financial account and granting proxy access to parents.
Your bill for tuition and fees will be posted in July for the fall semester; payment is due August 1.
New students may drop off belongings-only in their rooms on the evening of Wednesday, August 15, between 6 - 9 p.m., however they may not stay in the hall that night.
First-year students officially move in on Thursday, August 16 beginning at 8:30 a.m. after checking-in for Orientation in the Alvarez Union.
As you plan your packing list, consider what is already here for you, what is recommended, and what is prohibited. We encourage you to communicate with any roommates about what items can be shared. Microfridges (a microwave and refrigerator combination) can be rented from an outside business, SFL. There are many situations where Davidson College is not responsible for loss or damage to personal belongings in private residence halls rooms, and we recommend you verify coverage under existing policies or purchase student rental insurance.
If you are a U.S./dual citizen living outside of the United States, or a non-U.S. citizen, you are invited to participate in the International Students Pre-Orientation. Students must arrive on campus no later than 4 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 13, 2018. Sunday, Aug. 12 is an optional move-in day. Parents, siblings, and other family members are invited to participate from the evening of Monday, Aug. 13 through the afternoon of Wednesday, Aug. 15. Learn more about our resources for new international students.
International Student Services has prepared a pre-departure check-list to help make your transition to Davidson a smooth one.
First-year students will learn about the college and its values, important resources, the town of Davidson, have the opportunity to spend time with lots of people who will be integral to their time at Davidson. View the schedule and learn more about the orientation program.
Classes begin Monday, Aug. 20.
