Davidson's Ultimate Campus Visit Guide: 5 Tips from Our Tour Guides
March 12, 2026
You’ve scheduled the tour, packed your bag and checked the weather. But once you step onto campus, how do you actually figure out if a college is "the one"?
While we love showing off our historic campus and the best spots for an afternoon coffee, the best part of our job as campus tour guides isn't pointing at buildings—it's helping you see yourself here. To help you navigate your upcoming visit, we’ve rounded up our top advice on how to get beyond the talking points and experience a campus like a real student.
1. Ask Lots of Questions
The number one tip from almost every guide? Talk to us! Don't just listen to the rehearsed part of the tour—start a conversation.
Talk to current students! Everyone is so excited you're here. I made friends with a couple of sophomores during my visit and ended up seeing their dorms.
Louisville, Kentucky
Talk to as many students as you can! We all love sharing our experience with you and want to make Davidson feel like home.
Hastings, Nebraska
Try asking your guide:
- What made you choose Davidson?
- What do you and your friends do on a Tuesday night? A Friday night?
- Tell me about a class you've taken that surprised you. What did you learn about yourself?
2. Go Beyond the Tour and Explore the Town
The tour covers the essentials, but the feeling of being a student happens in the gaps between buildings.
Hit up the free galleries and exhibits at VanEvery/Smith Galleries and Oak Row!
McLean, Virginia
Go to Nummit! Just stop by, it’s a great reflection of Davidson's vibes!!! Also, go up and talk to people if you have any questions! Everyone at Davidson is so friendly and loves to talk about the school.
Detroit, Michigan
Your Post-Tour Checklist:
- Eat a meal on campus: experience the different dining options around campus.
- Visit Main Street: walk into town to explore its shops, restaurants and resources.
- Check out the galleries: while you will inevitably see art while out on tour (don't miss the many campus sculptures!), we also encourage you to check out the Van Every/Smith Galleries and Oak Row, an exhibition space sharing the college's institutional history.
Some Favorite Bites to Eat on Main Street
"This is such a tough choice! For breakfast, go to the Soda Shop. Grab coffee at Summit. Lunch at The Pickled Peach. Dinner at Mandolino's, Carburritos, or Sabi. Grab a sweet treat along that way at Whit's!"
Ann Thompson '27
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
"Try the white bean hummus sandwich and an oatmeal cream pie at The Pickled Peach."
Leeya Chaudhuri '29
Raleigh, North Carolina
"I love getting take-out samosas from Masala Mastee and eating them on campus."
Maya Vermeer '26
Durham, North Carolina
3. Test Drive the Academic Experience
If you really want to know what it's like to "nerd out" at a small liberal arts college, you have to see the faculty-student dynamic in action.
Get connected with students and faculty members! I did this, and I got to know several professors before I was even a student! I was offered the opportunity to audit a Chorale rehearsal the spring before I entered Davidson as a first year. The opportunities are there - you just have to ask! Don't be scared!
Charlotte, North Carolina
Tips from the Admission Office:
- Get to know Davidson's faculty, their research and their areas of expertise by exploring the faculty listings of our majors, minors and programs.
- Reach out to the Admission Office at least two weeks before your visit to request a class visit by emailing Natalie Russell at narussell@davidson.edu.
4. Trust Your Gut (Even If It’s "Late")
There is a lot of pressure to have a "movie moment" the second you step on campus. Our guides want you to know: it’s okay if that feeling takes time.
Don't worry if the stars don't seem to be aligning right away. I didn't have the chance to visit Davidson until the spring of my senior year. I came to campus with doubts but also an open mind, and fell in love! I finally got the gut feeling that this was the place for me quite quickly. Don't get so caught up in the 'perfect' plan or the pressure to have your entire life mapped out before you even step foot on a campus. Be open-minded throughout the college admissions process. It is pointless to try to have all the answers and micromanage every step of the journey. Keep your head up and know that you will end up where you belong. With that, Davidson is a unique place where no two people are the same. You don't have to fit in a box, do one thing, be one thing. You are encouraged to be all you are, and I didn't necessarily find that as evident anywhere else. As you're considering Davidson, think about what you love and value and know that if you come here that you and all the parts of you will be embraced with open arms.
Hoover, Alabama
5. Do Your Background Research
Can't make it to campus yet? Eager to start getting to know our community from afar?
You don't have to wait to start exploring. Take a walk through our quad, step inside our classrooms, and check out student spaces right from your screen with our Virtual Campus Tour.
Ready to See It in Person?
Whether you're starting your search or putting the final touches on your college list, nothing beats experiencing the energy of our community firsthand. Wander Main Street, grab a coffee at Nummit, and let our student guides show you what makes this place feel like home.
Schedule Your In-Person Tour
Connect with Current Students
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