Zachary Charlick

Why I Chose Duke Engineering

I chose Duke Engineering for its rare balance of outstanding academics, cutting-edge research, and infectious school spirit. That choice was confirmed one night when I found myself studying for a multivariable calculus exam at a picnic table in K-Ville, surrounded by close engineering friends, all of us tenting for the UNC game. At Duke Engineering, you can truly get the most out of your college experience, in every facet, without having to choose between academic excellence and vibrant community.

Before Duke Engineering

Before Duke Engineering, I founded my high school’s first robotics team and developed a passion for computer science and mentorship. Facing challenges with STEM community funding, I wrote and received grants to cover parts and tournament entry fees. With no programming teacher or technical advisor, I taught C++ to a room full of eager students after school. These experiences motivated me to continue my education at a university with a robust engineering program, one where I could still forge my own path, but with a stronger safety net of resources and support.

After Duke Engineering

After Duke Engineering, I am pursuing a PhD in robotics at the University of Michigan. My research will focus on dexterous manipulation and robot learning, with the goal of bringing robots into our messy, chaotic daily lives—not just factory floors. Through the Pratt Research Fellows program and other research opportunities, such as REUs, independent study, and project-based coursework, Duke Engineering gave me the skills, experience, and confidence to take this next step.

5 Ways to Maximize Your Time at Duke

1. Commit to less—at first. With so many clubs, labs, and activities, it’s tempting to fill your schedule right away. Resist the urge. Leaving yourself flexibility early on allows you to jump on opportunities when (not if) they come up.
2. Consider the Pratt Research Fellows program if you’re interested in a PhD. My fellowship let me count research toward my upper-level engineering electives, building my portfolio and giving me the chance to publish real work before applying to graduate school.
3. Take advantage of Duke in the summer. This is especially valuable if you’re interested in research. I spent two summers being paid to work in Duke labs, a strong alternative to the fintech internships that hustle culture might pressure you into thinking you need.
4. Find your home. Along with point #1, focus on one or two special communities or clubs where you invest the most time and energy. Deep involvement beats spreading yourself too thin.
5. Look into part-time student status. If your schedule allows it, many seniors take a half course load in their final semester, freeing up time for activities, jobs, or research (and saving significantly on tuition). My senior spring, I worked part time in my research lab while still graduating on time.