Davidson College Supplemental Essays 2025-2026: Requirements & Prompts

Davidson College requires two supplemental essays as part of your application

Required Prompts (250-300 words each)

1. Why Davidson

“There are just under 4,000 four-year colleges and universities in the United States. Being as specific as possible, what interests you most about Davidson College?”

Davidson College Essay Slides

Q: Analyzing the prompt?

A:

• Davidson wants to know your specific interest.
• Avoid generic statements applicable to any college.
• Highlight unique aspects of Davidson that align with you.
• Show deep research into the college.

Q: What truly excites you about Davidson?

A:

• Identify specific programs, professors, research, or traditions.
• Example: Not "strong academics," but "Professor Smith's work on marine biology at the Lake Campus."
• Connect this interest to a specific outcome or future goal.

Q: How do your experiences align?

A:

• Show how your past aligns with your Davidson interest.
• Example: "My high school research on freshwater ecosystems prepares me for Prof. Smith's lab."
• Detail specific projects, skills, or insights gained.

Q: How will you contribute?

A:

• Describe concrete ways you will engage.
• Example: "I will join the Davidson Outdoors club, sharing my backcountry navigation skills."
• Focus on active participation and adding value.

Q: How to structure your essay?

A:

• Hook (~50 words): State your core interest in Davidson.
• Deep Dive (~100-125 words): Explain specific Davidson offerings and your relevant past experiences.
• Future Impact (~100-125 words): Detail your contributions and how you'll thrive.
• GradGPT for refining draft to make it admissions ready.

Q: What to avoid?

A:

• Generic praise for Davidson.
• Listing high school achievements without connecting them.
• Vague interests or future plans.
• Passive voice or overly formal language.

2. Intellectual Curiosity

“Davidson encourages students to explore curiosities in and out of the classroom. What is a topic, activity or idea that excites you? Tell us why.”

Davidson College Curiosity Essay Slides

Q: What excites you deeply?

A:

• Select a genuine passion. Be specific.
• Example: Not "history," but "the political impact of 18th-century coffeehouse culture."
• Example: Not "coding," but "developing algorithms for predictive text."

Q: Why this passion?

A:

• Describe the intellectual curiosity or challenge.
• Highlight specific moments of engagement.
• Example: "Researching coffeehouses revealed their role in shaping public discourse, connecting social spaces to political movements."

Q: How do you explore this?

A:

• Detail your exploration: courses, independent study, projects, discussions.
• Show active pursuit.
• Example: "I've read academic papers on coffeehouses. I also organized a historical walking tour focused on local gathering spots."

Q: How does Davidson support this?

A:

• Research specific Davidson resources.
• Name relevant professors, courses, clubs, or research opportunities.
• Example: "Davidson's 'History Department' offers 'Cultural History of the Enlightenment,' which would deepen my coffeehouse research."
• Example: "The 'Davidson Journal of Political Thought' offers publication opportunities."

Q: How to structure your essay?

A:

• Hook (~50 words): Introduce your exciting topic, activity, or idea.
• Passion & Exploration (~100-125 words): Explain its allure and your exploration methods.
• Davidson Connection (~100-125 words): Detail how Davidson will fuel this curiosity.
• GradGPT for refining draft to make it admissions ready.

Q: What to avoid?

A:

• Generic interests.
• Listing activities without passion or impact.
• Broad statements about Davidson.
• Passive voice or overly formal language.

All the best!