Will Denton

Why I Chose Duke Engineering

I chose Duke Engineering because it offered the right balance of rigorous academics, hands-on projects, and a collaborative community. The double major in Electrical & Computer Engineering and Computer Science aligned directly with my goal of learning how to build robots from the ground up. Duke’s strong emphasis on interdisciplinary learning gave me the flexibility to connect hardware, software, and systems-level analysis for my robotics projects.

What stood out to me was how quickly Duke encouraged freshmen to join hands-on projects. By my first year, I was working on underwater vehicles in the Duke Robotics while also working on EGR 101 projects for real clients. Duke’s emphasis on faculty mentorship, immersive labs, and a technically challenging curriculum gave me the tools to problem-solve effectively.

Makerspace resources like The Foundry and Innovation Co-Lab gave me the support I needed to build independent projects while learning how to use engineering tools. Pratt stood out to me not only for its technical rigor but also for the culture of translating ideas into working systems.

Before Duke Engineering

Before Duke, I was involved in STEM through VEX Robotics, the high school math team, and a cybersecurity club. These experiences taught me how to approach engineering challenges from a collaborative and technical perspective. They sparked my long-term interest in robotics, motivating me to build underwater robotics for Duke Robotics.

After Duke Engineering

After completing my undergraduate degree, my next step is finishing my 4+1 master’s at Duke in Computer Engineering. My undergrad in ECE has prepared me with both the theoretical foundation and the hands-on experience needed to work in autonomy for robotic systems. I plan to apply these skills in industry by building reliable robots capable of operating in complex environments.

5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting the Program

1. Join a technical club. The best way to learn real hands-on skills is to join a club (like the robotics club) which builds real world projects.
2. Make the best use of professors’ office hours. Even outside of class they can be a great resource.
3. Take interesting classes beyond what the requirements are. My favorite classes were ones like Robot Studio where we made small dancing robots.
4. College goes by quickly, so spend as much time with friends as you can.
5. Go to the basketball games!