2011-2012 Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School

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Just out of curiosity, for those waitlisted, what are your backup plans if this wl mvmnt doesn't pan out (Aussie? Carrib? reapply?), if you don't mind sharing.

Who's reapplying for sure?

Or PM me if you're not comfortable : ) It'd be nice to have more people to discuss with.

Hey are you re-applying?

probably not, I'm considering Australia

I think you probably should re-apply if you don't get in this cycle. Being waitlisted means that you are competitive and they want you right? You certainly stand a better chance than us who got rejected this year do.

But I'll also be happy if you don't, since you seem to be a very strong candidate

Originally Posted by fj90

Just out of curiosity, for those waitlisted, what are your backup plans if this wl mvmnt doesn't pan out (Aussie? Carrib? reapply?), if you don't mind sharing.

Who's reapplying for sure?

Or PM me if you're not comfortable : ) It'd be nice to have more people to discuss with.

I will get a master's degree and reapply.. but i still really hope to get in

Originally Posted by DoctorFlower

I think you probably should re-apply if you don't get in this cycle. Being waitlisted means that you are competitive and they want you right? You certainly stand a better chance than us who got rejected this year do.

But I'll also be happy if you don't, since you seem to be a very strong candidate

LMAO. I like nice honest answers like these : ) Idk, no guarantees right?... I guess that's everything in life..

Originally Posted by huddy

I will get a master's degree and reapply.. but i still really hope to get in

You're finishing your current one? Or going into a Masters?

Originally Posted by fj90

You're finishing your current one? Or going into a Masters?

no i graduated last december. i'm applying for a Masters now to continue to research in my lab i think the reason why I got waitlisted even though my mcat score was really bad was because my research is very related to the main research field of duke nus. So I guess it would be good for me to reapply with more publications in my lab

I think i'll accept my offer at the Hollywood Upstairs Medical College =P

Guys, please consider reapplying! (okay i hope i don't regret saying this. HAHA. just kidding.) cause i think you guys will make awesome classmates. Medicine is the last place one should ever think it's a rat race. We should all work hard to up our stats even more and get in together. Classmates, or if not, schoolmates.

Originally Posted by will123

I think i'll accept my offer at the Hollywood Upstairs Medical College =P

is that a real college? :x pardon me. :X

Originally Posted by will123

I think i'll accept my offer at the Hollywood Upstairs Medical College =P

You are waitlisted twice? How can that happen?

LMAO will123!!

Originally Posted by fj90

Yes, if those courses are part of your degree. I got mine calculated into my final GPA.

O_O okay, so do I just calculate it myself or do I submit all transcripts and let Duke-NUS work it out?

Originally Posted by thelullaby99

O_O okay, so do I just calculate it myself or do I submit all transcripts and let Duke-NUS work it out?

You might want to double check with admissions office.
In my case, the transferred credit and mark showed up on my school's transcript. And WES converted it from that transcript & Duke NUS was fine with it when I submitted. Double check with them tho.

Originally Posted by sweetsecrets

is that a real college? :x pardon me. :X

I wish it was real....

Originally Posted by DoctorFlower

You are waitlisted twice? How can that happen?

it happens...when you have luck like mine...

Originally Posted by will123

it happens...when you have luck like mine...

But did you take steps to strengthen your app?

any acceptees considering turning down their offers?

Did anyone of ya have any difficulty with the essays? Mine turned out like novels.

PS. I think someone should create a new thread for the 2013 cycle, no?

Originally Posted by justdoooit

any acceptees considering turning down their offers?

May 15th - June 7th - That is when some of the candidates from North America (like myself) might turn down my offer if we get an offer from USA/Canada.

Originally Posted by outsider89

May 15th - June 7th - That is when some of the candidates from North America (like myself) might turn down my offer if we get an offer from USA/Canada.

I'm not aware of the significance of June 7th. Care to enlighten me? : )

Originally Posted by DoctorFlower

But did you take steps to strengthen your app?

lol i guess the steps i took weren't enough... the lesson is, never try*.


*just kidding you should probably try

Originally Posted by fj90

I'm not aware of the significance of June 7th. Care to enlighten me? : )

I'm pretty sure people can get taken off waitlists up until the first day of class....that's what happened to my roomate a few years ago, got off a waitlist a few days before class started

Originally Posted by will123

I'm pretty sure people can get taken off waitlists up until the first day of class....that's what happened to my roomate a few years ago, got off a waitlist a few days before class started

Canadian Schools give you 3 weeks to accept offers after May 15th (Hence June 7th-8th), and on May 15th in the United States there is a lot of wait-list movement because students have to throw out all offers they have except for one (this doesn't include Duke-NUS because Duke-NUS isn't considered an American School - in other words, someone can hold an American Offer, a Canadian offer, and Duke-NUS if they choose to)

Just letting y'all know, applications for 2013 MD has opened, for those reapplying / applying.
Can't decide if I should reapply while waiting for this waitlist movement...

Originally Posted by fj90

Just letting y'all know, applications for 2013 MD has opened, for those reapplying / applying.
Can't decide if I should reapply while waiting for this waitlist movement...

yup, same......i don't really know if i can change my essays much if i do reapply

Originally Posted by justdoooit

yup, same......i don't really know if i can change my essays much if i do reapply

Just sharing, the adcom told me not to rush my application. take time to work on your stats, that includes taking time to try new things (so i think that way you'll also have new insights for essays though they didn't say you have to change it). But I think at least for the research essay, you would be able to talk about new recent research projects that you take on? And I guess for me, to look for more suitable referees - that takes time too. I'm not saying not to apply for early admission, but April is a little too early. Late August is never too late, still before deadline.

Checking in to this thread after a long time.

I'm turning down my Duke-NUS acceptance in favour of a U.S. medical school because (a) the latter offers better financial aid, (b) I have been hearing some terrible things about the lack of transparency in the residency system Singapore is setting up, and (c) I don't really want to be bonded to Singapore for x number of years even though it is home. I think it's time to move on.

I wish all of you the best of luck! Do PM me if you want to discuss anything, and I am more than willing to help any reapplicants or new applicants with their applications and interview preparation.

Hi guys~ I am aware that Singapore currently does not recognize the DO degree. So if you obtained a DO degree in the US, is there absolutely no chance to practice in Singapore? What are the chances that this will change in the future? Thanks.

Originally Posted by sweetsecrets

Just sharing, the adcom told me not to rush my application. take time to work on your stats, that includes taking time to try new things (so i think that way you'll also have new insights for essays though they didn't say you have to change it). But I think at least for the research essay, you would be able to talk about new recent research projects that you take on? And I guess for me, to look for more suitable referees - that takes time too. I'm not saying not to apply for early admission, but April is a little too early. Late August is never too late, still before deadline.

Thanks for sharing that sweetsecrets. For the sake of everyone (re)applying, as long as applications are in before September, it's in the early decision pool?

Anyone know how early offers are made for early decision applicants?

Thanks for letting us know ncrassa! All the best on your med school journey in the states.

for those who got waitlisted, have you guys asked them your waiting list number? Do you guys think they would tell me if I ask?

Originally Posted by huddy

for those who got waitlisted, have you guys asked them your waiting list number? Do you guys think they would tell me if I ask?

I tried asking, no such luck. They said they can't reveal that.

Originally Posted by fj90

I tried asking, no such luck. They said they can't reveal that.

have you tried asking them how many people are on the waitlist? there seems to be at least 5-6 of us here on sdn

Originally Posted by fj90

I tried asking, no such luck. They said they can't reveal that.

sad this waiting is even harsher than before I got waitlisted

Originally Posted by justdoooit

have you tried asking them how many people are on the waitlist? there seems to be at least 5-6 of us here on sdn

I tried asking them all the possible questions you may have. How many on waitlist, position, etc. No luck. : (

Guess we'll just have to wait it out till May.

Originally Posted by fj90

I tried asking them all the possible questions you may have. How many on waitlist, position, etc. No luck. : (

Guess we'll just have to wait it out till May.

or until July... anyway thanks for telling us that

Originally Posted by fj90

I tried asking them all the possible questions you may have. How many on waitlist, position, etc. No luck. : (

Guess we'll just have to wait it out till May.

thanks for info!

I just hope they will tell us once the class has been filled so we don't wait pointlessly

btw, anyone else noticed the duke-nus ad in the banners?

maybe they are following this thread afterall,

Originally Posted by justdoooit

btw, anyone else noticed the duke-nus ad in the banners?

maybe they are following this thread afterall,

Hm, I don't see it on mine. I think that's GoogleAd -- where the most related or frequently search query shows up on your page.

Hmm. LOL.

Edit: Oh and I think if the class has filled up, they will send rejection letters. That's what I got out of previous postings, where some people got waitlisted and later rejected in June / July.

Originally Posted by fj90

Thanks for sharing that sweetsecrets. For the sake of everyone (re)applying, as long as applications are in before September, it's in the early decision pool?

Anyone know how early offers are made for early decision applicants?

Thanks for letting us know ncrassa! All the best on your med school journey in the states.

I think so. I don't think they actually start looking at the applications until september is here. In fact I was told to take my time, even told to apply in december, because if your stats are strong they'll take you in as short as a month. I was told it doesn't matter. (okay now that sounds weird cause if my stats are strong they'd have taken me already haha okay maybe that's faith in me that i'll improve to a stellar candidate.)

Actually the early acceptance choice, I think, is only for a strong applicant to be accepted early. As for re-applicants, we really need some time to beef up our resume. Is everyone going for early acceptance?

Originally Posted by DoctorFlower

Actually the early acceptance choice, I think, is only for a strong applicant to be accepted early. As for re-applicants, we really need some time to beef up our resume. Is everyone going for early acceptance?

personally i feel early application does have its perks. at the very least, it shows your sincerity. so yes for me probably.

Same here. The good thing is that you can always update them

Originally Posted by sweetsecrets

I think so. I don't think they actually start looking at the applications until september is here. In fact I was told to take my time, even told to apply in december, because if your stats are strong they'll take you in as short as a month. I was told it doesn't matter. (okay now that sounds weird cause if my stats are strong they'd have taken me already haha okay maybe that's faith in me that i'll improve to a stellar candidate.)

When I applied the first time, I went for the September early acceptance, and was wait-listed/rejected eventually. Second time, I applied in the regular cycle and was accepted by the first week of february. If you are a re-applicant, just work on your stats and your application most importantly. Develop it to show that you have improved. They only ever accept around 1-2 students in the early cycle, so you're not giving yourself an advantage by rushing your application.

Originally Posted by DoctorFlower

Same here. The good thing is that you can always update them

Exactly. If your application still needs polishing or if you need more practice for interview, then take your time. If you are ready, you should always submit early since you can update.

.

Often it's hard to see / assess your application's weakness without any bias. When I do get that final rejection, I might call the office to ask them what they think needs improvement. So I think I'll wait until May15 to see what actions I need to take : ) Till then waitlisters, let's hold on tight!

DocFlower, by "significant work", did you mean publication? I don't think 4 months of work is enough time for one. Unless you meant otherwise?

Haha! It takes time to get familiar with the project right? I just mean that I can talk about it confidently. But I'll be working full time, and I got really excited! Actually I think it's your understanding and what you learned from the research that matter the most, not just the end product, like a publication

Anyway, I'm just thinking about not applying for early of I can't improve that much before September.

Originally Posted by ncrassa

Checking in to this thread after a long time.

I'm turning down my Duke-NUS acceptance in favour of a U.S. medical school because (a) the latter offers better financial aid, (b) I have been hearing some terrible things about the lack of transparency in the residency system Singapore is setting up, and (c) I don't really want to be bonded to Singapore for x number of years even though it is home. I think it's time to move on.

I wish all of you the best of luck! Do PM me if you want to discuss anything, and I am more than willing to help any reapplicants or new applicants with their applications and interview preparation.

darn, ncrassa, i was looking forward to seeing you in class!

nevertheless, congratulations! and all the best!!! perhaps we shall meet again at a conference somewhere in future, if we both specialise in the same field we said we were interested in during applicant day :P