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It’s been a while since hoyasaxa last prodded some buttons on the Duke forum.</p>
<p>Duke students are actually very involved in the broader community. Off the top of my head, I can think of:</p>
<p>– An animal care group volunteering at the local animal shelter
– SAT tutoring for local high school students
– Science majors going into local schools to educate about science
– LGBT students going into local schools to spread awareness
– A student group dedicated to improving local neighborhoods
– A student group that raises money to end hunger in Durham
– A Duke chapter of Habitat for Humanity (also a pre-orientation program)</p>
<p>I’m sure there are many more. </p>
<p>Durham is not an ideal college town, it must be admitted. It has many weaknesses, among them a relatively high crime rate and inefficient public transit. There is certainly a great deal more tension between Duke and Durham than between NCCU and Durham. At the same time, however, the tension and negatives of Durham are somewhat overblown. I was in Durham during the Lacrosse hoax and for several years after; Duke’s relations with Durham have steadily improved. People in the local community are happy to work with Duke students on projects, and I always found Durham residents extremely friendly. As one example, one semester I had an independent study with an emeritus professor, and I had to walk to his house about a mile off campus every other day. I always passed and greeted a woman working in her front yard along the way, and one day in October, when it was absolutely disgustingly hot and humid outside, she offered and made me a glass of iced tea. This sort of hospitality is virtually impossible to find in a city like Boston or DC. </p>
<p>Yes, the Research Triangle is a bonus. It is a hub of technology that draws people from across the region (and outside it). Research is not limited to technology, however, and things like the National Humanities Center (similar to the Institute of Advanced Study in Princeton) are also located in the Research Triangle. </p>
<p>The Triangle area is one of the [top</a> 10](<a href=“http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2011/real_estate/1103/gallery.Fastest_growing_metro_areas/4.html]top”>10 fastest-growing cities - Raleigh, N.C. (4) - CNNMoney.com) most rapidly growing parts of the country and has been ranked a very good place to live – sample honors include #3-4 for jobs and businesses (Forbes), the “foodiest” small town along with Chapel Hill (Bon Appetit), #1 place to retire (Money Magazine), #7 best place for college students (American Institute for Economic Research), etc.</p>
<p>[Duke</a> and Durham Rank Among the Best in the World | Duke & Durham](<a href=“Durham, Our Hometown - Duke Undergraduate Admissions”>Durham, Our Hometown - Duke Undergraduate Admissions)</p>
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Not as enjoyable, perhaps, but I would not say that nerds can’t enjoy Duke. I was pretty much a nerd in high school and was bent on getting into/attending Chicago. I wound up choosing Duke for various reasons, and I enjoyed my time there a lot. It’s large enough that most people can find their niche. I will admit that Duke is a very social school, however, and if you insist on staying in the library 24/7 (which some do), you’ll be missing out on a lot. I think Duke is a good thing for most of the nerds/bookworms who attend, as they are encouraged to expand their horizons (academically and socially) and improve their social skills, something vital for the real world.</p>