<p>Duke has struggled to bridge the gap between itself and the Durham community (this is not an uncommon problem). However, if helping a minority community is important to you there are great opportunities in Durham. The community activists there are great people. </p>
<p>If you didn’t enjoy the feel of the campus however, that’s a legitimate concern. Ignoring that feeling can often lead to transferring. All said, I think your concern about class size and wanting to stay in So Cal means being a Trojan is likely your best fit.</p>