One of the most important and stressful decisions for a college-bound student is deciding what school to attend. The process may begin with a lengthy list of colleges and universities that interest them, followed by extensive research to evaluate the pros and cons of each. Once the list is whittled down to a handful of standouts, it’s time to schedule visits to help determine which school will rise to the top.

You can get a general sense of what a university’s campus is like by checking out its website, but you can’t see the big picture unless you visit in person. You can’t feel the energy, or lack of, until you set foot on campus.

Students who tour Davenport’s W.A. Lettinga Grand Rapids Campus get to experience all of these things and more while catching a glimpse of what day-to-day life might look like as a Davenport University Panther. You can’t get that kind of experience from a computer screen.

Nathan Cunningham, assistant director of high school admissions at Davenport, said visiting Davenport helps prospective students ensure the university is a perfect fit. “An in-person visit allows students to visualize their future at Davenport by seeing the smaller-sized classrooms and walking through the housing suites,” he said. “Davenport’s small class sizes, personal support and career preparation assistance are a few of the university’s selling points. Plus, the food is pretty good.”

Student insights

Sydney Babbitt will be a senior at Davenport in the fall and highly recommends visiting Davenport’s beautiful campus in person. “When I visited Davenport, it gave me a better idea of the resources available to students and the opportunity to picture myself at DU,” she said. “As a bonus, I was able to meet students on the tour who then became familiar faces once I started school.”

It’s not surprising that what stood out the most to Babbitt when she visited campus were the housing options. Students rave about Davenport’s on-campus housing, and for good reason. Recently ranked #2 among the best college dorms in Michigan by University Magazine, Davenport’s housing options are top-notch. “Davenport’s housing units are so much newer, nicer and larger than the other schools I visited,” Babbitt said. “There really is no comparison. I also liked Davenport’s smaller-sized campus because it meant I’d have a short commute to and from classes, which was important to me, especially in the winter.”

Babbitt said one unique aspect of campus is that the main dining hall, the Caf, is conveniently located in South Hall, where the majority of first-year students reside. “When I was a freshman living in South Hall, it was so nice to be able to grab a meal without having to leave the building.” She also enjoys stopping at the Den in the Academic Building and the Hub in the Business Building to get a bite to eat between classes. “Stopping by the Hub in the mornings to get a latte made by my roommate is a great way to start my day!”

For Nevaeh Moore, a recent Davenport graduate, a visit made a big impact. “You can envision what life might be like on a college campus, but when you take a tour, you actually get to experience it firsthand. I instantly fell in love with Davenport and its atmosphere. As I walked around campus, I could see myself going to DU,” she said.

Moore said her tour guide made it easy for her to envision walking to class, going to the mailroom, doing laundry, eating at the Caf and finding quiet places around campus to study.

“The size of the dorms is what really stood out to me,” she said. “I loved that even though I had roommates, we all had our own space. I also loved the size of the campus. I think freshmen worry about getting lost, but at Davenport, that wasn’t a concern for me.”

Olivia Doxtater is also getting ready to start her senior year at Davenport. “Davenport has such a welcoming atmosphere,” she said. Even though I took a tour, I felt a bit anxious in my first few days on campus because I didn’t know anyone. All that changed the moment I walked through the doors of the Academic Building and was greeted by friendly faces at the Welcome Desk. They made me feel at ease right away and suggested I get involved with all of the fun activities offered by Student Life. They always have something going on, from Popcorn Wednesdays to activities in the Center for Learning and Engagement (CLE),” which makes it really easy to meet new people.”

Must-see stops during your Davenport visit

• Stop by the Caf and picture yourself eating with your new friends after class. Or better yet, have a bite to eat and you’ll be hooked!
• Check out the Hub in the Business Building and the Den in the Academic Building; both offer a quick bite to eat and your favorite beverage.
• Even if you aren’t a business student, take time to walk through the beautiful Business Building. Here you’ll find a variety of comfortable spaces to lounge and meet with friends, as well as quiet, private areas to study.
• Visit the athletic facilities, especially when you want to cheer on the Panthers.
• Make sure to see the Student Activity Center, a state-of-the-art fitness and recreational facility open to all students. Here, you’ll find a rock climbing wall, pool tables, a fitness center, basketball courts, an E-Sports arena and more.
• Drop by the Center for Learning and Engagement, located in the Academic Building, and locate important resources, like the Center for Campus Life, which includes Housing, Campus Life and Registered Student Organizations. Also here, you’ll find Career and Internship Services. It’s also a great place to study or collaborate on projects with other students.
• A visit to campus wouldn’t be complete without visiting one of Davenport’s beautiful and modern residence Halls. Freshmen will be especially impressed with South Hall, where the majority of first-year students reside. Pictures don’t do it justice; you have to see them for yourself.
• The Wellness Center is one of the most important buildings on campus and is definitely worth understanding what’s available there. It’s where students can access free mental health support and see a nurse practitioner for non-emergent medical care.
• After your tour, you’ll seriously be thinking about committing to Davenport, so be sure to stop at the Tyrus R. Wessell Campus Store and pick up some DU gear.

Did you know?

• All students, including first-year students, are allowed to have a vehicle on campus.
• Parking is free on campus for students and visitors.
• Tutoring is available on demand, 24/7, and it’s free.
• First-year students get an all-you-can-eat meal plan.
• Students can attend Davenport sporting events for free. With 27 NCAA Division II sports and a total of 44 athletic teams, there is always something to root for.
• The average number of students per class is 18, with a maximum of 30 – no lecture halls!
• Choose from more than 70 clubs, organizations and teams to become involved with.

 Frequently asked questions

• Do I need to visit campus before enrolling? The answer is no, but a tour is highly recommended to get the full scope of what you can expect as a Davenport student.
• Do freshmen have to live on campus? You don’t have to live on campus to attend Davenport, but if you do, you’ll be close to all of the action and will get the full college experience.
• What are my health care options if I get sick while at school? All students have access to the on-campus Wellness Center, which provides free mental health services and non-emergency medical care.
• What’s the best way to become involved on campus? Student Life organizes a wide variety of fun events for students throughout the year. These events offer the perfect opportunity to stay engaged and meet new people. There are also more than 40 different academic, social and recreational organizations to get involved with, as well as numerous volunteer opportunities. 

If you are ready for your visit to Davenport, schedule a tour today!

Click here to watch a student-led virtual tour.

Must-watch campus visit video series:

Why you should visit Davenport University 

Available resources

Amenities

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