It’s July and Campus is Buzzing

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Although Davidson’s primary student population is away for the summer, the campus is still buzzing with education underway. It’s July, and that means that the July Experience program is operating in full swing, which means that Davidson is currently playing host to rising high school juniors and seniors offering “a preview of college life on one of the most beautiful residential campuses in the Southeast.”

From June 30-July 21, these lucky students will sample college life by taking two classes taught by Davidson faculty members, living in the dorms, and experiencing extra-curricular programing sponsored by the college. This year, twelve courses are offered by 10 academic departments ranging from anthropology to chemistry and from music to political science. Furthermore, the July experience students are undertaking workshops on how to apply to colleges and “developing your leadership style,” as well as having a little fun.

The July Experience program has been an important part of Davidson in the summertime since 1976, when 45 students made up the first July Experience class. Although the students do not receive a for-credit grade, they are given a grade on the following system:  H (Honors), P (Pass) and F (Failure) and a certificate of completion. More importantly, however the students frequently find that “a powerful summer academic experience can be a valuable addition to a college application and excellent preparation for college.”

Over the years, more and more July Experience alumni have found themselves applying to, and enrolling in, Davidson College after graduation from high school. As one current Davidson student (and former July Experience alumna) explained: “July Experience really helped to cement the idea that Davidson was the perfect place for me. When I arrived on campus freshmen year there were no surprises. I knew where the cafeteria was, how to use the free laundry facilities, and the best ways to get to the lake campus – all the essentials for life at Davidson. But the most rewarding part was that on the first day of orientation I already had a group of 10 or so friends who were also from July Experience. I wasn´t alone. All of this helped ease the transition into college. I never got homesick once and I credit this to the experiences and friendships I made through JE.”