The Duke Campus: Visiting Duke: Tours & Information Sessions

Tours and Information Sessions | Parking | Where to Stay & Eat | Visit a Class / Spend the Night

GROUP INFORMATION SESSIONS

In daily group information sessions, the admissions staff will provide an overview of Duke. They will also describe--and answer questions about--the admissions process, financing a Duke education, and academic life. Group information sessions are normally held in McClendon Commons, adjacent to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, located on West Campus near the traffic circle at 2138 Campus Drive (919-684-3214). During our peak times (holiday breaks, spring breaks, and during the summer), we recommend that you arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the start time of the information session in order to allow adequate time for parking. No appointment is necessary. Click here for the upcoming tour and information session schedule.

PARKING

Visitors to our office should plan to arrive about 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the information session or tour they plan to attend in order to leave adequate time for parking. There are a limited number of free parking spaces for visitors in the circular drive in the front of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. However, visitors who park in these spaces will need a permit, and should see the receptionist upon arrival. There are additional spaces in the circular drive behind McClendon Commons, which is located immediately adjacent to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions (see our map of West Campus for details). Parking in these spaces costs $1.00/hour. During peak times, many of our visitors will need to park in the Sarah P. Duke Gardens parking lot, which is accessible from Anderson Street. Parking in this lot costs $1.00/hour. It takes approximately 5 minutes to walk from the lot to our office, so please be sure to leave yourself plenty of time.

To see the location of the Duke Gardens Parking lot, please see our map of West Campus, and note the location of "Metered Parking" adjacent to Anderson Street. To get to the visitor lot from our office turn left at the end of our driveway. Go around the traffic circle and turn right on Campus Drive. Take a left at the first light on Anderson Street. Please, do not park in decal zones, handicapped spaces, or service vehicle spaces.

WALKING TOURS

Throughout the year, we schedule student-led walking tours of campus. In addition to seeing campus facilities, you'll have a chance to hear about Duke from a student's perspective. Tours typically last at least one hour and fifteen minutes, and no more than an hour and a half. All tours originate at the Admissions Office, which is located on West Campus. No appointment is necessary; we welcome your visit whenever it is most convenient for you to attend. However, if your group is larger than 20 people, please contact our office in advance about the possibility of a group tour. Also, please call ahead (919-684-3214) if you require accommodations for a physical disability or will require physical assistance during a tour of campus. Click here for the upcoming tour and information session schedule. And if you'd like to take our virtual tour of campus, click here.

PRATT ENGINEERING TOURS

The Pratt School of Engineering Tours showcase our newest facilities, typical labs and classrooms, as well as cover information about the various opportunities available for engineering students. During the summer, tours are NOT offered on the weekends, and reservations are necessary. If you would like to sign up for a tour, send an e-mail at least 72 hours in advance to gct2@duke.edu, along with the number in your party. The Pratt tour schedule allows visitors the opportunity to attend both the Undergraduate Admissions campus tour on weekdays as well as the Pratt tour–which lasts approximately 45 minutes.

All tours begin in the atrium of the Fitzpatrick Center, at the bottom of the staircase on the first level. The atrium side of the Fitzpatrick Center contains the SMIF, the DiVE, and the Duke Interactive Studio. Please be sure you are in this location at the bottom of the stairs (and NOT at the bottom of the stairs next to Twinnie's Cafe).

Summer Session I Schedule: Friday, May 8th–Friday, June 19th*
Tours are Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 12:30 p.m., starting in the Fitzpatrick Center Atrium. If you would like to sign up for a tour, send an e-mail at least 72 hours in advance to gct2@duke.edu, along with the number in your party. (Tours are by appointment only.)

There are no tours from Monday, June 22nd to Friday, June 26th.

Summer Session II Schedule: Monday, June 29th–Wednesday, August 5th*
Tours are Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 10:30 a.m., starting in the Fitzpatrick Center Atrium. If you would like to sign up for a tour, send an e-mail at least 72 hours in advance to gct2@duke.edu, along with the number in your party. (Tours are by appointment only.)

* Because we rely on the expertise of our students, tours will NOT be taking place on the following dates:
Monday, April 27th through May 7th (Interim between spring and summer semester)
Monday, May 25th (Memorial Day holiday)
Monday, June 22nd through June 26th (Finals Week for Summer Session I)
Friday, July 3rd (4th of July holiday)
August 7th through August 21st (end of Summer Session II, FInals, Interim, and Freshman Orientation)

The Fall 2009 Tour Schedule will be posted later in the summer.

Questions about Pratt tours can be directed to Lupita Temiquel-McMillian at (919) 660-5573 or lupita.mcmillian@duke.edu.

GROUP TOURS

Throughout the year, we schedule walking tours of the campus for groups with more than 20 and fewer than 50 students. Group tours are available to groups of high school age students only. If you are interested in scheduling a group tour, please call our office at (919) 684-3214 several weeks in advance. We cannot guarantee a tour for your group; however, we will make every effort to accommodate your needs. Please note that we are not able to schedule any group tours during the month of April. If you have a group of younger students or a group of adults, please contact the Office of Special Events at (919) 684-3710. The Office of Special Events offers tours during the Fall and Spring semesters. Duke University is unable to provide overnight housing for tour groups. If we are unable to accommodate your group with a student-led tour, we will be happy to send you maps, directions, and Duke information. You might also want to take our virtual tour of campus.

Groups interested in special arrangements for dining on-campus should contact Jim Wulforst in University Dining Services at (919) 660-3900.

If we are unable to accommodate your group with a student-led tour, we will be happy to send you maps, directions, and Duke information.

CAMPUS VISIT AND TOUR SCHEDULE

During the summer, when afternoon thundershowers happen frequently, it's possible that tours will be delayed until the threat of lightning has passed. If lightning remains in the area for more than 30 minutes, we will cancel the tour for safety reasons.

In the event of severe weather during the winter, please call (919) 684-INFO to check on possible office closings. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions follows the University's severe weather policy, and is closed when that policy is in effect. Please note that here in sunny North Carolina, accumulations of snow and ice are sometimes considered severe!

Click here for the upcoming tour and information session schedule.

Making a Special Appointment

If you'd like to speak with a faculty member, coach, or ROTC officer during your visit, please call the individual directly to make an appointment. We regret that the number of visitors (about 20,000 a year) makes it impossible for us to schedule these appointments for you. For telephone numbers call Duke Directory Assistance at 919-684-8111.