Hello! I'm seriously thinking about applying to Duke University. However, I'd like to know more about the size of the campus. Is it massive, making it hard to get from one class to another, or is it manageable? Any input is appreciated!
Duke University's campus is quite large, encompassing about 8,693 acres in total. However, don't let this number intimidate you! The areas where students live, learn, and hang out are concentrated and highly walkable.
Duke's campus is sectioned into different areas with West Campus, East Campus, and Central Campus being the main ones. As a freshman, you'd be housed on East Campus, which is a blend of academic buildings and residence halls meaning classes, dining, and accommodation are all close by. Central Campus primarily contains apartments for upperclassmen, and West Campus is where many academic buildings, libraries, the student union, and Gothic-style upperclassmen dorms are located.
A shuttle bus system called the C-1 runs between West and East Campus frequently, so students can easily travel between the two in about 10-15 minutes. Plus, a lot of students choose to bike, which could further decrease this travel time.
This mix of expansive spaces and compact areas gives Duke a unique charm and students often find it manageable to navigate despite the large campus size.
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