2018-2019 Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Application

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Any news recently?
Members don't see this ad.
 
Just got an email that says

"Our apologies for the delay in getting back to you on your application status.

Your application is still in active review. As you probably already know we have a strong pool of applicants who have applied to us and a limited number of slots to fill, thus the process of selection is time consuming.

We hope to inform you of your outcome, probably within the next couple of weeks.

Thank you for your understanding and patience."

Not quite sure what to make of this, but at least hey! It's not a rejection...yet.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
StudentMcGriddles said:
Just got an email that says

"Our apologies for the delay in getting back to you on your application status.

Your application is still in active review. As you probably already know we have a strong pool of applicants who have applied to us and a limited number of slots to fill, thus the process of selection is time consuming.

We hope to inform you of your outcome, probably within the next couple of weeks.

Thank you for your understanding and patience."

Not quite sure what to make of this, but at least hey! It's not a rejection...yet.
Click to expand...

Same here! Just received that email as well. Got a mini heart attack right before opening my inbox.
 
Members don't see this ad :)
StudentMcGriddles said:
Just got an email that says

"Our apologies for the delay in getting back to you on your application status.

Your application is still in active review. As you probably already know we have a strong pool of applicants who have applied to us and a limited number of slots to fill, thus the process of selection is time consuming.

We hope to inform you of your outcome, probably within the next couple of weeks.

Thank you for your understanding and patience."

Not quite sure what to make of this, but at least hey! It's not a rejection...yet.
Click to expand...

I thought it was a rejection because the email didn’t have any attachments.
 
Just buying more time. I see they haven't committed to any hard deadline this time. Hopefully we will all know by the end of May.
 
imp_44 said:
Just buying more time. I see they haven't committed to any hard deadline this time. Hopefully we will all know by the end of May.
Click to expand...

That's kind of strange. Since the waiting list has been issued to some other candidates (according to this forum), doesn't it imply that seats have been filled? (and that's how waiting list is made?)
 
My impression is that they're holding out until the deadline for existing offers to be accepted/declined, then they will send out the final offers to anyone on the wait list, then bump a few "Under Review" to wait list, and reject the remainder. They have extended enough offers to fill the seats but have not confirmed all of them. I imagine they're having a hard time meeting deadlines because there are still more pending offers than they anticipated. Remember that this school is not the first choice for many applicants, so those with high hopes will delay their response until their first choice has given them a final decision. It's all a waiting game at this point. Nobody wants to reveal their hand until they have to.
 
imp_44 said:
My impression is that they're holding out until the deadline for existing offers to be accepted/declined, then they will send out the final offers to anyone on the wait list, then bump a few "Under Review" to wait list, and reject the remainder. They have extended enough offers to fill the seats but have not confirmed all of them. I imagine they're having a hard time meeting deadlines because there are still more pending offers than they anticipated. Remember that this school is not the first choice for many applicants, so those with high hopes will delay their response until their first choice has given them a final decision. It's all a waiting game at this point. Nobody wants to reveal their hand until they have to.
Click to expand...

That's pretty unfair for the applicants. They should have the batch-based universal acceptance deadline similar to the U.S. system. This system is not transparent and clear at all.
 
imp_44 said:
My impression is that they're holding out until the deadline for existing offers to be accepted/declined, then they will send out the final offers to anyone on the wait list, then bump a few "Under Review" to wait list, and reject the remainder. They have extended enough offers to fill the seats but have not confirmed all of them. I imagine they're having a hard time meeting deadlines because there are still more pending offers than they anticipated. Remember that this school is not the first choice for many applicants, so those with high hopes will delay their response until their first choice has given them a final decision. It's all a waiting game at this point. Nobody wants to reveal their hand until they have to.
Click to expand...

This sounds bad
 
does anybody know how much Duke-NUS weigh a MSc. degree, which is medicine related? thank you.
 
billy04052 said:
does anybody know how much Duke-NUS weigh a MSc. degree, which is medicine related? thank you.
Click to expand...
All applications are considered equal regardless of previous degree. A master’s neither puts you at an advantage or a disadvantage. I hold a master’s degree in neuroscience & anesthesiology and my application was weighed similarly to other applications.
 
existentialcrisis said:
All applications are considered equal regardless of previous degree. A master’s neither puts you at an advantage or a disadvantage. I hold a master’s degree in neuroscience & anesthesiology and my application was weighed similarly to other applications.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the reply.
I understood having advanced degree won’t put me at advantage or the other way.
What I meant is: do they look into your master’s degree for consideration or just the undergrad degree?
 
Members don't see this ad :)
billy04052 said:
Could a good master GPA (3.8/4) make up for a poor undergrad GPA (3.0/4)?
Thanks for your kind reply
Click to expand...
An upward trend in your undergrad performance and/or a strong MCAT (in your case higher than 516) would somewhat compensate for your low GPA. A master degree would be taken into consideration but is weighted much less as it is pretty much convention for master programs to inflate GPA significantly (3.8 is very average). The competition of DUKE-NUS is getting fiercer and fiercer by year so I think it is your best bet to achieve a stellar MCAT before applying.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
billy04052 said:
Could a good master GPA (3.8/4) make up for a poor undergrad GPA (3.0/4)?
Thanks for your kind reply
Click to expand...
I couldn’t tell you but the 3.0/4.0 is definitely a massive red flag considering the average cut off this year is approximately 3.75/4.0. I would say that if you had a similar course load in your master’s, you’d be able to justify to the commmitee to consider your master’s gpa. However, if it was thesis based or a lighter course load, they definitely would weigh your undergrad gpa more. Don’t quote me as I am not on the admissions committee.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
Just got offered MD!!

Edit: Just wanted to say, don't give up hope yet if you haven't heard back from them. It's not just waitlists and rejections! I wasn't waitlisted, it went straight from Under Review --> Accepted.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
StudentMcGriddles said:
Just got offered MD!!

Edit: Just wanted to say, don't give up hope yet if you haven't heard back from them. It's not just waitlists and rejections! I wasn't waitlisted, it went straight from Under Review --> Accepted.
Click to expand...

Congrats and thanks for the update!
 
Got my MD offer today, my application was Under Review all this time as well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
ReginaZ0403 said:
An upward trend in your undergrad performance and/or a strong MCAT (in your case higher than 516) would somewhat compensate for your low GPA. A master degree would be taken into consideration but is weighted much less as it is pretty much convention for master programs to inflate GPA significantly (3.8 is very average). The competition of DUKE-NUS is getting fiercer and fiercer by year so I think it is your best bet to achieve a stellar MCAT before applying.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your info!!
 
existentialcrisis said:
I couldn’t tell you but the 3.0/4.0 is definitely a massive red flag considering the average cut off this year is approximately 3.75/4.0. I would say that if you had a similar course load in your master’s, you’d be able to justify to the commmitee to consider your master’s gpa. However, if it was thesis based or a lighter course load, they definitely would weigh your undergrad gpa more. Don’t quote me as I am not on the admissions committee.
Click to expand...
Thanks. What do I need to do to justify? Does it sound ok if I write a letter to brief the committee about the program with online reference?
 
Hi, everyone. I have been offered a place yesterday. May I join the WhatsApp group?

I found a Facebook group for the class of 2023. Is that where most of you are at?
 
Rubacava said:
Hi, everyone. I have been offered a place yesterday. May I join the WhatsApp group?

I found a Facebook group for the class of 2023. Is that where most of you are at?
Click to expand...
What’s app is used more. I created the Facebook group but it’s not being used at all.
 
I see. How do I PM one of you? There does not seem to be a message function here.
 
Check the online portal for most up to date info. I was just rejected but haven't received an email yet. All the best!
 
All the best, imp_44! I am a re-applicant, so I think the school appreciates the ability to bounce back from rejection. Don’t be discouraged!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
Hi everybody, I am applying this upcoming cycle and I am wondering what did y'all put in "innovation experience" section of your activities? I am not sure what kind of activities goes into this category and would appreciate any insights into it. Thanks! :0
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
Here's an alternative to pursue medicine for those who're dying to get into med school: MBBS programme offered by the Uni. of Malaya, KL

Apparently, their MBBS is recognized by SMC (according to the updated list), RM300k tuition fee (yes, it's RINGGIT), degree holder could also apply and I heard their curriculum is adapted from UniSyd's curriculum too.

Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery

Pusat Pendidikan Berterusan Universiti Malaya.
www.umcced.edu.my www.umcced.edu.my
 
existentialcrisis said:
I couldn’t tell you but the 3.0/4.0 is definitely a massive red flag considering the average cut off this year is approximately 3.75/4.0. I would say that if you had a similar course load in your master’s, you’d be able to justify to the commmitee to consider your master’s gpa. However, if it was thesis based or a lighter course load, they definitely would weigh your undergrad gpa more. Don’t quote me as I am not on the admissions committee.
Click to expand...
I have a GAMSAT score of 72 (top 3-4%), but will probably only graduate with second uppers or lower second (UK degree) if I don't do well enough for my exams. That works out to 3.5-3.0/4.0. Do I even stand any chance for the next cycle? Kinda depressing given that there isn't much I can do about my grades as I would probably require a significant amount of time to get better grades. I didn't know that Duke NUS puts such a significant emphasis on your main degree GPA than on the post grad admissions.
 
AbbottV said:
I would suggest not to come to Duke-NUS Easter basket if you want to practice in the United States or Canada.


A few of the Duke-NUS seniors received offers to work in the United States. Despite the monetary bond with the Ministry of Health (MOH), the seniors accepted the job offers and did not choose to go back to Singapore to practice. After these incidences, MOH changed its policy. Now, they no longer allow people to hop for residency right after the completion of Easter basket. Everyone will need to stay to complete the bond before applying for a medical residency or fellowship outside of Singapore.

The bond is 4 or 5 years. It does not include the houseman (HO) year. The bond only begins to count after the HO year, when the medical graduate starts to work as a medical officer (MO) or a medical bunny.

It is also difficult to get a residency spot in Singapore. This year, about 30 people out of a class of 60 students applied. Only 50% of those that applied received offers. Most people will be doing Family Medicine. MOH is advocating junior doctors and eggs to take up residency spots in Family Medicine. They want more family physicians and fewer specialists. So, if you are aiming to become a specialist, it will also be a long and difficult process.

Another thing to point out is the school typically let the students fill out the survey on student mistreatment during year 1. However, most of the mistreatments take place during clinical rotations. The worst rotation block is pediatrics. Its program coordinator is Loh Tsee Foong. He tends to target international students and Singaporeans who have studied overseas. He is a locally trained Singaporean clinician.

Once you are targeted by him, he will start a process to set you up. He silences student who tries to speak up. He has connections in the hospital and at Duke-NUS Easter basket. He will make sure that the students get disciplinary actions and force the students to be in a position to be targeted and bullied by other clinical faculties (including administrative staff and clinicians at Duke-NUS). His aim is to slowly crush the person’s self-esteem by having the clinician staff severely and constantly scold and question the student’s caliber and self-identity. The clinical staff will ask very personal questions about the student and send the report to the program coordinator. He will take the autonomy and independence out of the students. Every single decision and move that the student makes will need him or the administrative staff’s approval. The administrative staff at Duke-NUS Easter basket will ask the students to see a psychiatrist. The whole process is mental manipulation through emotional and verbal abuse. Yes, there are a lot of reports of bullying in the medical community. However, this is a whole another level from bullying. This is brainwashing. The aim of the process is to break the person’s self-esteem down and attack their self-identity to create self-doubt. This way, the person is easier to control. The process also pushes the person to conform to their rules and submits to their authority. The only way to pass the rotation is to submit to this program coordinator’s mistreatment and submit to his authority. Most people who endured his mistreatments were too scared to speak up. Sadly, clinical staffs and administrative staffs at Duke-NUS Easter basket are also part of the process. Students are not safe or protected.

Loh Tsee Foong is not the only clinician in Singapore that abuses power and mistreats students. There are other clinicians at different departments that misuse their power or authority. A few eggs in the Duke-NUS community also use the power of the group to bully students whom they believe are threats to their ego identity or have offended them. Examples include alienating a student, spreading rumors, giving put-downs, or convincing a student to quit school, etc. Peer pressure, coercion, and gaslighting are also used to control, make others serve their self-interest, or to satisfy their egos. These eggs are selected few. Most eggs at Duke-NUS are amicable and kind. Too nice. They do not speak up. They are either naturally assimilated into the group and are not aware of the situation in the community. Or, they are afraid of the consequences of speaking up. The impact that the action will have on their career. They do not dare to say anything bad about the community. And, that is one of the reasons why clinicians and eggs who abuse power and bully others can easily get away with their misdeeds.

Singapore is not like the United States, Canada, or Australia. People here believe in authoritarianism. Human rights are not their top priority. What the leaders in the Singapore medical community want are skilled and highly educated workers who do not question their authority. Depending on how successful the process of assimilation is, the person can end up starting to agree with and think alike as their Singaporean colleagues, teachers, and clinicians. The person becomes afraid to speak up. This leads to conformity. But, for certain individuals, having one's true self ignored or rejected can lead to emotional or personality problems (i.e., narcissism, codependency). This can also lead to the beginning of another cycle of bullying. For the ones who are bullied, sometimes become a bully themselves.

Regardless of what the root cause of this type of behavior is, bullying is wrong. Silencing people and making sure that their wrongdoings are not known to the public is also wrong. People need to know what is happening in the community. Students should be able to learn and study in a safe and nurturing environment.

EH
Click to expand...


dvdp said:
Thank God someone speaks up about bullying and blacklisting of students by faculty and staff of Duke-NUS!! Many others do not dare to voice objections and suffer in silence. The caliber of each student who is enrolled into the program is high. It is not fair to push the buck to the student when it was the school who chose the student through supposedly stringent processes to ensure the student has high chance of succeeding in the school. Instead of supporting the student through the years of studies and practice, this school condones and takes such underhanded actions against individuals. It is unprofessional and unethical of a school to do these, let alone a Easter basket. How can a Easter basket profess to teach its students professionalism and ethics if its leaders and role models are not upright in their actions?

That Duke-NUS senior announced publicly to everyone she knew that she was not returning to Singapore for her reasons of lower pay and lower rank in Singapore. Her bond is more than $500k. But she can easily recoup that from working in US. MOH change in US residency policy isn't solely as a result of her actions. It's thanks to a good number of seniors who run away to US residency and never return, violating their service obligation to the country. Some of them had zero intention to do the service obligation and over the years MOH has learnt its lesson.

Why do MD not want to practice in Singapore? They were not protected in Easter basket. They know working in Singapore healthcare system will be worse. Easter basket does not prepare them for work life. Salary is worse than in US, work environment is horrid, work-life balance is bad, career opportunities are limited to what the Singapore government wants. With US license they can work anywhere in US and other countries. That opens up an ocean of opportunities rather than fighting to survive in a small pond. Living expenses in Singapore are high and rising. Why spend the best years of your working life in such a place? Some internationals want to return home to work and live. Other internationals are using Duke-NUS as a stepping stone to the western countries. Working in Singapore was never their goal and never stepping into Singapore ever again is not a problem to them.
Click to expand...

This is really helpful for students choosing between Duke-NUS and other programs. And even for those who are waiting for results.

Both @AbottV and @dvdp are brave Duke-NUS students willing to share the truth about their experiences, even though their peers are trying to silence them or dismiss them as "sour grapes" on this forum.

I would recommend anyone considering Duke-NUS read this.
 
egg12345 said:
This is really helpful for students choosing between Duke-NUS and other programs. And even for those who are waiting for results.

Both @AbottV and @dvdp are brave Duke-NUS students willing to share the truth about their experiences, even though their peers are trying to silence them or dismiss them as "sour grapes" on this forum.

I would recommend anyone considering Duke-NUS read this.
Click to expand...
sour grapes checking in :rofl:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Next unread thread

Similar threads

lil'rivia
2024-2025 Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Application
Replies
1
Views
320
SrideviPannir
S
M
2023-2024 Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Application
Replies
24
Views
8K
hk c
H
R
2022-2023 Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Application
2 3 4
Replies
171
Views
47K
xyz22
X
M
2021-2022 Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Application
2 3 4 5
Replies
237
Views
70K
hulksmash123
H
V
2020-2021 Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Application
5 6 7 8 9
Replies
411
Views
149K
Gzyc02
Gzyc02
Top