Davis & Elkins College
Elkins, West Virginia
Davis & Elkins College is an energized and beautiful place—a place that prepares and inspires students for success and for thoughtful engagement in the world.
Just hours from Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C., D&E is home to a vibrant arts community as well as a leader in entrepreneurship, sustainable studies, health care, education, the sciences, and much, much more.
Safe and supportive, stimulating and friendly, it’s a small school where big things happen.
Get to know Davis & Elkins College
Benefits
Student Activities
- Campus Ministries
- Choral groups
- Dance
- Drama/theatre
- International Student Organization
- Literary magazine
- Music ensembles
- Musical theatre
- Student government
High-Impact Practices
- First-Year Seminars and Experiences
- Writing-Intensive Courses
- Collaborative Assignments and Projects
- Undergraduate Research
- Service-Learning, Community-Based Learning
- Internships/Coops/Practica
- Capstone Courses and Projects/Senior Experience
Campus Resources
- Career Services
- Writing Center
- Academic Advisors
- Library Services
- Faculty Mentors
- Disability Services
- Health Services
- Academic Tutors
- Financial Aid Advisors
- Student Success Initiative
- Veteran Services
- Counseling
College Highlights
Great classroom experiences and opportunities beyond the classroom engage students’ interests and imaginations at Davis & Elkins College. Students find their niches, their friends, and their passions, all while enjoying the support of a caring family of faculty, staff, and students.
AN OPEN MIND
At D&E, students don’t have to choose their majors right away. In fact, D&E prefers that people come with an open mind. Students are encouraged to explore classes they may have never dreamed of liking. No matter what, they can count on their professors and mentors to help them realize their goals and plan their success. Participation comes naturally thanks to D&E’s small classes and hands-on learning opportunities.
“As a first-year student, transitioning to college can bestow a whirlwind of emotions, but First-Year Seminar prepared me for the remainder of my college academic experience by allowing me to get more comfortable around my peers. The seminar prepared and encouraged me to express myself, as well as ask questions when I was struggling in courses throughout my time at D&E.” – Sonja Skinner, exercise science
MULTICULTURALISM
The Augusta Heritage Center is internationally renowned for its programs in traditional music, dance, folklore, and crafts. It is best known for its workshops, which are held on campus every summer. This diverse array of events highlight just small part of D&E’s rich arts community.
SUSTAINABILITY
Davis & Elkins College is a leader in sustainability studies, offering West Virginia’s first Bachelor of Arts program in the field. Through the sustainability studies program, D&E students have encouraged recycling in the city of Elkins, helped the College reduce energy consumption with three different solar panel projects, developed several community gardens, and consulted on the construction of a LEED-certified housing project. Ongoing activities of the GreenWorks! student organization engage students, faculty, and the broader community to ensure a viable world for future generations.
BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Thinking about business? D&E’s Division of Business & Entrepreneurship connects students to innovative business ideas and forward-thinking practitioners.
OUTDOOR RECREATION
For those who love the outdoors, the outdoor recreation management, as well as the hospitality and tourism management program, can help point their passions to rewarding professions. Students can even join internships at area adventure destinations.
ENROLLMENT BY ETHNICITY
Non-U.S. Citizen: 3%
Hispanic/Latinx: 2%
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 3%
White, non-Hispanic: 31%
Native/Indigenous American or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 0%
Asian, non-Hispanic: 1%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 0%
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 0%
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 59%
The Davis & Elkins College curriculum supports a close connection between students and faculty, beginning with the College’s first-year seminar and culminating with the senior capstone. From start to finish, faculty help orient students to the ins and outs of academic life, helping them discover their own journeys.
“First-Year Seminar prepared me for the remainder of my academic experience by challenging me to think critically and assisted me in assimilating to life in college. The course also showed me that professors at D&E are dedicated to the success of students within the classroom and in their personal endeavors. Through giving me the confidence to fully engage in all that D&E has to offer, First-Year Seminar ultimately set me up for a successful undergraduate career.” – Emily Coffman, political science and religion & philosophy
PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH FACULTY
Great teaching is a hallmark of what sets Davis & Elkins College apart. The D&E faculty focus primarily on teaching, helping students discover their passions and potential. Students really know their professors at D&E, spending time with them in and out of class, dining together, enjoying special events, going on field trips, and even traveling abroad. A student is never a number. Great teaching at D&E has everything to do with each individual.
KEY LEARNING OUTCOMES
Every class at D&E shares a set of key learning outcomes: writing, interpersonal and oral communication, and information literacy. Whether one is in advanced composition or English 101, they learn to write and express what they are learning as well as possible.
ACADEMIC SUPPORT
The Naylor Learning Center and the Writing Center at Davis & Elkins College offer extensive academic support to students of all levels and abilities. The fact is, D&E wants students to succeed and, to that end, it has put a team of people and resources together to ensure that nothing stands in students’ ways. If anyone needs help or to touch base with others, The Naylor Learning Center is available with tutors, study groups, special learning spaces, and equipment. Academic counseling services are also available to support learning for every student.
SPECIAL STUDY OPTIONS
Programs available at this institution.
Cooperative education program
Distance learning
Double major
Dual enrollment
Independent study
Internships
Student-designed major
Study abroad
Teacher certification program
D&E is more than a classroom. Students say it’s like a family, where one can discover who they are and what makes them happy. They find their niches and learn beyond the classroom through lectures, arts events, recreation, and student-focused activities that are interesting and often adventurous.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
Whether a student likes sports, theatre, music, rock climbing, politics, or poetry, they can find a wide range of events and activities happening at D&E. Faculty and students alike lead events with the help of Student Assembly. Student Assembly, along with various student organizations, brings leading entertainment to campus all year long, starting with orientation weekend and continuing through the annual Déjà vu music festival at the end of the academic year.
ATHLETICS
Students enjoy NCAA DII sports with Senator Nation. They can also play frisbee golf and paintball and have fun on Nuttall Field, a state-of-the-art AstroTurf outdoor soccer/lacrosse field with lights. Anyone can take up yoga, play a game of basketball, work out in Robbins-Madden Fitness Center, go for a swim in George A. Myles Pool, or join an intramural team. They can even work on their golf game at D&E’s Seybolt Indoor Golf Academy.
THE ARTS
Many campus events double as learning opportunities, such as the annual Dance Festival that includes a full schedule of workshops and performances. Venues on campus are highlighted by the beautifully renovated Myles Center for the Arts, which includes the 1,140-seat Harper-McNeeley Auditorium, the region’s largest performance hall, and art studios for drawing, painting, ceramics, and printmaking. There is also the Boiler House Theatre, home to D&E theatre, while gallery space for the visual arts can be found spread throughout several buildings. But that’s not all; arts and entertainment extend beyond the campus to the city of Elkins, which is a Certified Arts Community. Anyone who explores the area experiences another new world.
The Scottish heritage of the West Virginia Highlands is more prevalent on campus with the recent establishment of the West Virginia Highlanders of Davis & Elkins College Grade V and the Davis & Elkins College Highland Dancers. Grade V is a competition bagpipe program that performs in parades and other special events, and competes at regional Highland festivals and games. The Highland Dancers is a competition and performance group.
SCHOOL LOCATION
Located in Elkins, West Virginia, D&E is 2 hours east of Charleston, 3 hours south of Pittsburgh, and 4 hours west of Washington, D.C. Elkins is a quaint community in the Mountain Highlands that offers unique shops, diverse dining, and endless opportunities to experience the great outdoors.
Elkins has been called a “small town gem.” A community of roughly 7,000, it lies in the heart of West Virginia’s Mountain Highlands, one of eastern America’s most important and beautiful outdoor areas. Nearby scenic and historic destinations include the 900,000+ acre Monongahela National Forest. Regionally, D&E is close to whitewater rafting, mountain biking trails, and multiple well-known ski resorts, including Snowshoe and Canaan Valley—both of which are about an hour from campus.
ATHLETICS
Davis & Elkins College competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II and is a member of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference. Home of the Senators, D&E’s colors are red and white. Davis & Elkins College athletics is committed to developing excellence in student-athletes, coaches, and staff through education, engagement, character, and competition in 21 varsity sports.
Men: baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, tennis, track & field
Women: acrobatics & tumbling, basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track & field, triathlon, volleyball
Students can also play frisbee golf and paintball and have fun on Nuttall Field, a state-of-the-art AstroTurf outdoor soccer/lacrosse field with lights. Anyone can take up yoga, play a game of basketball, work out in Robbins-Madden Fitness Center, go for a swim in George A. Myles Pool, or join an intramural team. They can even work on their golf game at D&E’s Seybolt Indoor Golf Academy.
RESIDENCE LIFE
Percent of students living on campus.
First-time, first-year (freshman) students: 76%
Undergraduates: 70%
Campus housing options.
Coed dorms
Men’s dorms
Women’s dorms
Theme housing
PREPARED TO BE THE BEST
Life after college begins to come to fruition on the first day at Davis & Elkins College. The academic career is at the heart of why students choose D&E, of course, but with the help of the College’s programs, faculty, and staff, students also learn to keep their eyes on the future. Living thoughtfully, working successfully, and thriving personally after college are the kinds of successful outcomes that reflect Davis & Elkins College’s mission: To prepare and inspire students for success and for thoughtful engagement in the world.
Davis & Elkins College takes pride in preparing students to succeed on campus as well as after graduation. The people from whom students learn at D&E appreciate that success takes many forms: professional achievement, financial security, rewarding relationships, and a personal sense of fulfillment and accomplishment.
As always, Davis & Elkins College also intends for its graduates to enter the world as thoughtful citizens and participants in society. This means that D&E is concerned not only with intellectual growth, but also with each student’s social, personal, and spiritual growth. The path to success comes in many forms, and Davis & Elkins College is prepared to help students find theirs.
“I’m a LIFE volunteer (in the Peace Corps), which means we Link Income, Food Security, and the Environment. I’m here to teach conservation farming techniques, agroforestry, other sustainable income-generating activities, and education of HIV. My environmental science and sustainability education from D&E ignited my passion for sustainable living and gave me the confidence to pursue sharing my education with others for the preservation of world’s natural systems.” – Brittany Bolinger, sustainability studies
SENIOR CAPSTONE
Every D&E senior is required to complete a senior capstone experience. These projects vary from program to program, but the expectations are the same. Students integrate learning in their chosen fields with the general academic skills they study in other classes.
MODELS FOR SUCCESS
Davis & Elkins College alumni provide models for success in nearly every field. From science to art, medicine, business, and professional sports, D&E alumni are recognized for their achievement on a national and worldwide scale. These role models truly remain a valued part of the College family. Through special events, internships, and the Office of Career Services, students are given the opportunity to network with and learn from D&E alumni.
CAREER SERVICES
D&E’s Office of Career Services & Student Employment offers career counseling and a variety of other vocational services that are devoted to preparing students for successful careers upon graduation. Emphasis is also placed on networking and the effective and proper use of social media to develop and present oneself. Students are encouraged to begin career planning from day one; by their senior year, they are well on their way to professional success in the career of their choice.
Opportunities provided by Career Services & Student Employment include workshops, individual assistance in preparing effective resumes, interview preparation, and help in developing effective and organized job searches. The office also works with students to help them cultivate relationships with employers, providing internship opportunities and networking experiences.
Admission
ADMISSIONS FACTORS
Very Important
Academic GPA | Level of applicant’s interest
Important
Rigor of secondary school record | Standardized test scores
Talent/ability | Character/personal qualities
Considered
Application Essay | Recommendation(s) | Interview
Extracurricular activities | Volunteer work
TEST SCORES
Recommended but not required
FRESHMAN PROFILE
SAT Critical Reading
25th Percentile: 420 | 75th Percentile: 530
SAT Math
25th Percentile: 440 | 75th Percentile: 530
ACT Composite
25th Percentile: 17 | 75th Percentile: 23
ACT Math
25th Percentile: 16 | 75th Percentile: 22
ACT English
25th Percentile: 16 | 75th Percentile: 23
Tuition & Cost
Tuition: $29,280
Fees: $680
Room & Board: $9,800
Aid
Education is an investment in the future. To help a variety of families realize this investment, D&E offers a wide variety of financial aid options. Approximately 90 percent of D&E students receive financial aid, with average assistance of more than $10,000. With work study and other outside grants, the College tries to make sure that no student is denied—for financial reasons—the chance to experience D&E. Through a combination of student work, family contribution, loans, and scholarships, nearly everyone who is admitted and wants to attend D&E is able to do so.
The financial aid process at Davis & Elkins College is centered on simplicity and speed. All necessary financial aid information is provided soon after applying for admission. No special scholarship application is required.
At the time of acceptance, a student may be awarded a merit scholarship based on their academic record and Board scores. Students may be eligible for one of the following awards: Merit Scholarship, Highlands Scholarship ($11,000-$20,000), International Student Scholarship ($11,000).
Students who are members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are eligible to receive the Presbyterian Scholarship ($5,000). The program highlights D&E’s relationship with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) by providing support to Presbyterian students looking for a college experience that honors their faith tradition. Another Presbyterian-based scholarship opportunity is the Covenant Scholarship. Equal to one-half of tuition costs, the Covenant Scholarship is open to children of ordained PC(USA) clergy.
In order to be considered for need-based aid, one must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine their eligibility for any federal, state, or other college financial assistance. D&E will automatically determine each student’s eligibility after receiving their FAFSA results from the Department of Education.
Davis & Elkins College also offers performance-based awards in athletics and creative arts. Once accepted for admission, a student may audition for these awards.
What Others are Saying
Contact Davis & Elkins College
Contact Admissions
www.dewv.edu/admissions
(304) 637-1230
admission@dewv.edu
Campus Location
100 Campus Drive
Elkins, WV 26241
(304) 637-1900