Duke University User Reviews and Ratings
A great 4 years that went by too quickly
By Wendy, Class 2015, From Massachusetts
Duke is the best of many worlds. I loved how talented and committed my classmates were. I learned so much from them and made life long friends. The school is truly collaborative. We worked hard together not against each other and that was wonderful. The professional world these days is all about collaboration so it makes sense to start in college. The Duke environment is also unique. It is fun to be at a place that has events which bring the student body together, Duke basketball certainly does that. There is so much for students with all kinds of interest. Duke Engage is a fabulous summer program with financial support and I participated in research at the medical school. There are really opportunities for every interest. The faculty are available and there is even a program to invite faculty to lunch with you. My classmate and I invited our public policy professor, who was a retired ambassador to the Soviet Union, to lunch and it was fascinating. The stories he told were one of a kind. That's just an example of how wonderful the learning environment is at Duke. Definitely a fabulous place to attend college.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
World Class - Top professors and Great Campus
By JC, Class of 2018, From Memphis, TN
At this school, I was challenged more than I ever had been, yet this school continued to support students and help them succeed. If you get to know your professors, than you will do very well.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Great school indeed
By A caring parent, From Chicago, IL
The school provides excellent opportunity for my child to excel academically, socially, physically and emotionally. Well worth the time and hard earned money.
What best describes you? Parent
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Amazing School
By Alex S, class of 2015, From New York, New York
If you're lucky enough to get in, accept the offer. You won't regret it. Duke offers the absolute best balance of academics with social life. No one in my current social circle speaks as highly of their college experience as I do.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Love Duke!
By Davis, Class of 2020, From Durham, NC
When I began my college journey I was accepted by several elite colleges. At that time, I was more focused on rankings than my college experience. Although I loved Duke when I visited the campus, I must admit that I was hoping to accept an offer from a higher ranked college but chose Duke for financial reasons. Today, I feel truly blessed to be a senior at Duke. My college experience has been unbelievable. I never imagined that learning so much and working so hard could also be incredibly fun! If you're looking for brilliant, welcoming professors, a collaborative environment, and a place to make incredible friends, then Duke is for you.
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Best School for the Intelligent and Social Students
By Kevin G., From FL
I have not attended other universities, nor do I wish I had. I applied to Duke University and am currently studying here. I made my decision to attend based on the flexibility the school offered due to the strengths in many different areas, the amazing dining halls, the location, and the weather. Before coming here, I did not realize how social people are at Duke. I always had this idea in my head of hours in the library studying surrounded by antisocial geniuses but to my delight when I arrived I found that no one around me was strange and antisocial everyone was smart but also incredibly social. On Saturday night about half of the student body heads to the local club and all have fun enjoying the company of one another. I also have yet to find a person who is mean or has a superiority complex. Honestly I am quite amazed by the admissions staff because they truly do put together a great class. That being said, I do not think that Duke is for everyone, if you are not interested in working hard but also playing hard, it might not be the best option for you, but if you are the kind of person who enjoys talking to other people, sharing good times and also challenging yourself intellectually this is certainly the place for you. Also the Basketball hype is real. Go Duke!!!!
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
A wonderful balanced undergraduate experience
By Malcom, 1995, From San Francisco, Cal
Duke is one of the best schools in the US in terms of diversity of undergraduate experience. The location, weather, academic and athletic prowess, and focus on undergraduate experience are top of the house.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Great College
By David.B, From Ne York
Duke was a great experience, athletically and academically.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Lots of Opportunities During and After Duke
By Julian - Class of 2016, From New York
Amazing experience of academics and life. Great academics and social life. Basketball is like a religion.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：4
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：4
World Class
By Nina, 2016, From Philadelphia
Duke is an exceptional university that will give you a well-rounded education and set you up for a successful career.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：4
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Exhilarating, challenging, life changing, and just plain fun
By RW, From Fairfax County
Superb — unlimited opportunities — education, both in and beyond the classroom, is combined with wonderful, caring, friendly and helpful people (faculty, staff, administrators, alumni and especially students), in an idyllic setting with superior resources, which results in a great return on your financial, time, effort and intellectual investments.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：4
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Duke was life changing
By Alto Class of 2018, From Lahore, Pakistan
Unbelievable career development opportunities, tons of undergraduate research options, professors who become like friends and thousands of incredibly smart and talented classmates are what make Duke so great and memorable. How is it any different from other top schools? The proximity to nature, the highly competitive but still relatively laid back milieu, the friendliness of the students and faculty are what set Duke apart for me. Before Duke, I was averse to the idea of living in the South but Durham and Duke don't really feel like the South. Durham and Duke would not be out of place much further in the North.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：4
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：4
Dorms & Housing
Score：4
Health & Safety
Score：4
The best or nothing
By Yuan, From New York City
Truly amazing university and you will just love your time there and will miss it all your life and be very proud you picked Duke over any other great but boring school. You go to college only once so pick Duke if you want to go to a place that academically, socially, and athletically (#LetsGoDuke) beyond excellence! :)
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Holistically a Great University
By Class of 2021, From Staten Island, NY
Before I came to Duke, I was afraid that the learning atmosphere would be very intense - an every-man-for-himself sort of place. However, the school's reputation as collaborative and not competitive held true. Though challenged with rigorous material from the professors, I sense a willingness among my classmates to help each other learn these new concepts and to study together. The professors are also willing to guide you out of your confusion. (All you have to do is ask!) And the food is really so much more than a college student could ask for. There are so many venues and options for individuals of different cultures and diets. Indian, Italian, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Latino, American...vegan, steak, burgers, cafes, and more! Let's just say I always look forward to mealtimes. Also, the campus is downright gothic heaven, even if you're not a fanatic of architecture. Sometimes I think I attend a castle rather than a college. But best of all, it's the people that make all the difference. My Duke experience became, perhaps, three times more enjoyable, once I found the right community. Just be sure to find a group of people that you love being around. But also, don't be afraid to be challenged in your beliefs! Take the time to figure out what it is that truly matters in your life; trust me, the initial trial will give your life much more clarity.
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：3
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：4
Health & Safety
Score：5
