Frequently Asked Questions

You'll be making a class schedule before your orientation using the information on this website. Think of this schedule as a first draft. At orientation, you will meet with your holistic adviser who will help you make any necessary adjustments.

If you need help before orientation, several experienced advisers will be available during June for email, Zoom, or phone questions. These advisers have been chosen for their general knowledge of the curriculum and of the needs of first-year students. At this point, you won't need an adviser in the department of your probable major or one connected to your professional aspirations. The first semester is really about general graduation requirements applicable to everyone.

You may also email the Registrar's Office at registrar@davidson.edu with any WebTree or registration questions you might have.

If you do have a question you feel can only be answered by a specific department, departmental pages often have email addresses suitable for students with specific inquiries.

Answers to Some Common First-year Questions

1. When will I find out my initial schedule?
   
   We spend the month of June collecting course preferences in WebTree, so your initial course schedule will be available the first week in July. Sometimes students do not receive all four courses via WebTree. This is easily solvable during the add/drop period.
2. I watched the WebTree video and read the instructions, but I still need help. What do I do?
   
   We have a chart that explains the decision-making tree and offers some basic advice. Need more help? No worries! Summer advisers are available the month of June, and the Registrar’s Office staff is also available to assist.
3. What if I want to change my schedule later on?
   
   You will have multiple chances to change your schedule. When you come to orientation, you will meet with your academic adviser for guidance on your course schedule, and you will be able to make until midnight that day. You may also change your schedule during the regular add/drop period during the first week of classes.
4. How does pre-college credit (AP, IB, AS and A-Levels, Joint/Dual Enrollment) work?
   
   We allow up to four pre-college credits to transfer to Davidson. Of those four, two may be used towards the Ways of Knowing requirements.  If you have more than four pre-college credits, you can choose which ones are applied where, and you can also change that at any time.
5. How can I order my textbooks?
   
   Once you are logged into Banner Self-Service, click on 'Add/Drop and Schedule Adjustment' under the ‘Student’ tab. Then, click on 'Textbooks for the Upcoming Semester.' Fall textbook information is typically available in March.
   
   Or, you may go directly to the Davidson College Store. Roll over 'Books' on the main menu bar and select 'Textbooks' and multiple search options will appear. If books have been ordered for the course, a list of books will appear with multiple purchase and rental options available. You may reserve your course textbooks for purchase/rental and pick them up at the College Store when you arrive on campus.

6. What is the required course load?

   You are required to take four academic courses for credit, with few course load exceptions (see page 12 in the Academic Regulations). Having extra credits or participating in athletics or other activities does not reduce the requirement.

7. What is a good, first semester schedule?

   Choose Something You Are Interested In
   If you are interested in a topic, you will do better in the class. Don't take something because someone has told you that you have to or should.

   Choose Something You’re Eligible to Take
   Look for pre-requisites on the course schedule and take the language placement test.

   Make a Balanced Schedule of 4 Credits
   Don't take 4 classes that are all reading heavy or all quantitative. Use the Ways of Knowing requirements to guide you.

   Try Something New
   How will you know if you know if there is something new you may love and want to major in if you don't try it?