2009-2010 Duke Application Thread

[jla314]

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Two quick questions regarding my LOR:

First, do two professors of medicine (both whom are researchers that have MD/PhD and DVM/PhD's, respectively) count as science faculty?

They are both professors at the Med School and Vet School of my undergraduate institution (again, respectively) and I was wondering if I should check off the box that ask "Is this person a science faculty member?". Would I be correct in checking this box?

I have a committee letter and, based on previous posts, this suffices for the Duke LOR requirement, but I still want to be accurate in my categorization of the recommending profs.

Second question, does the main chairperson of the health career committee and main author of the committee letter count as a "premedical advisor"?

For your first question, those professors technically are science faculty though I think med schools want letters from science faculty that have taught you science classes. Could be wrong, though.

For your second question, yes the main author of your letter is who you put as your premed advisor. I asked my premed advisor this and she told me that I put the name of the person whose office my letter is being sent from (my Resident Dean).

 

[OTTO217]

I just received my interview invite. I wanted to know if anyone had advice on the time frame for scheduling the interview. Since Duke announces all of their acceptances in March, is it not rolling admissions? Or would scheduling it as soon as possible give me an advantage? Any insight into their interview process from someone who went through it last year would be appreciated as well.

 

[linkin06]

I just received my interview invite. I was shocked since it was only 48 hours after I submitted my secondary.

I wanted to know if anyone had advice on the time frame for scheduling the interview. Since Duke announces all of their acceptances in March, is it not rolling admissions? Or would scheduling it as soon as possible give me an advantage? Any insight into their interview process from someone who went through it last year would be appreciated as well.

no advantage

 

[diosa428]

I just received my interview invite. I was shocked since it was only 48 hours after I submitted my secondary.

I wanted to know if anyone had advice on the time frame for scheduling the interview. Since Duke announces all of their acceptances in March, is it not rolling admissions? Or would scheduling it as soon as possible give me an advantage? Any insight into their interview process from someone who went through it last year would be appreciated as well.

It doesn't matter what date you schedule it for (sooner vs later) but on site interviews do fill up so I would at least pick a date now so that you don't wait until the last minute to find them all filled.

 

[trueBelief]

If there is one thing, Duke is teaching me how to be patient 🙂

Submitted over 45 days ago and no word from them

 

[BrainBox]

Has anyone interviewed yet? How was it?

 

[PowerButton]

If there is one thing, Duke is teaching me how to be patient 🙂

Submitted over 45 days ago and no word from them

Welcome to the club!

 

[brooklynblunder]

Has anyone interviewed yet? How was it?

i think they start very soon, i held it off until the last week of sept

 

[rakotomazoto]

Hey, for those who finished, how long are your essays? Mine are basically a couple of paragraphs that straightforwardly answer the prompts...

I don't know, I just don't want to be viewed as a joke. I also don't want to appear as trying to hard by writing fancy, dragged-out essays.

I'm interviewing at Duke on Oct 2nd. 🙂 My essays were 943, 464, 465, 763, and 252 words long.

Like someone else mentioned, just say what you want to say as simply and straightforward as possible and then submit. These were some of my favorite secondaries to write because I knew that I could say as much or as little as I wanted to. Editing was quick and easy and I feel like they let me have my say.

Good luck with your essays! I am sure that you will do great! 😎

 

[austen123]

anyone who's interviewing heard back about student hosting yet? i sent them a request but haven't gotten a conifrmation.

 

[JOE Verghese]

Those getting interviews, can you post stats so others know what kind of people are getting the interview invites in the first round?

 

[jla314]

Those getting interviews, can you post stats so others know what kind of people are getting the interview invites in the first round?

i submitted 7/15, was complete 7/28 and got the interview 7/30. (correct me if i am wrong, but i do not think duke uses LOR's for interview invite purposes?). gpa 3.99 mcat 40R.

 

[mrmacey]

i have an interview in early october:

i had a 3.5 undergrad gpa and a 4.0 in a master's biology program.

33S MCAT.

So don't be completely disheartened by 3.99 GPAs and 40 MCATs haha...at least for the interview (getting in is a different story!).

 

[JOE Verghese]

Great stats. Looking at 3.99 and 40R can be disheartening but I doubt if there are too many applicant with that stat. I hope others will post thier application dates and stats as well because it might calm nerves of all those anticipating interviews.

 

[kierkegaard]

Take heart people out there, I got an invite with a 36, 3.7. Complete about 7/22 or so, and I used the "write until you have said what you want to say" approach for the secondary.

 

[Postal Blowfish]

How did you guys get student hosts? Can't seem to find that option anywhere

 

[266202]

Take heart people out there, I got an invite with a 36, 3.7. Complete about 7/22 or so, and I used the "write until you have said what you want to say" approach for the secondary.

word.

34 mcat, 3.7 gpa, average ECs... i got an invite, but i may very well be a filler. ;P

 

[JOE Verghese]

word.

34 mcat, 3.7 gpa, average ECs... i got an invite, but i may very well be a filler. ;P

Any one getting invites who completed secondary in 1st/2nd week of August. Looks like ones who are getting invites are those applied in July

 

[Bbon]

Any one getting invites who completed secondary in 1st/2nd week of August. Looks like ones who are getting invites are those applied in July

What about 3rd week of August? Submitted 8/21, interview 8/24.

 

[torino]

33R with 3.80 cGPA - got interview invite fairly soon after submission

 

[brooklynblunder]

Any one getting invites who completed secondary in 1st/2nd week of August. Looks like ones who are getting invites are those applied in July

yup. i got an invite last week (thursday morn, i believe) complete 2nd week maybe going onto 3rd week of august? i dont even know

my look into this app process is to submit, make sure everything is complete, that they have your letters, sit back, expect rejection and focus on anything you get out of it

if you are complete they will get to your file and hopefully something good - an interview with a subsequent acceptance will come out of it

 

[JOE Verghese]

yup. i got an invite last week (thursday morn, i believe) complete 2nd week maybe going onto 3rd week of august? i dont even know

my look into this app process is to submit, make sure everything is complete, that they have your letters, sit back, expect rejection and focus on anything you get out of it

if you are complete they will get to your file and hopefully something good - an interview with a subsequent acceptance will come out of it

I completed secondaries towards last week of July but still nothing. Are there still many in the same situation?

 

[brooklynblunder]

give it 4 to 8 weeks since completion, if not more

 

[Postal Blowfish]

Does anybody know how to acquire a student host at Duke? Can't seem to find a list anywhere

 

[derArzt]

Is Duke definitely letting us know reject/interview or do they put people on hold forever also?

 

[trueBelief]

Is Duke definitely letting us know reject/interview or do they put people on hold forever also?

Its been 7 weeks since I was moved to screening. How long should I wait before calling them to check about the status of the application?

 

[diosa428]

Does anybody know how to acquire a student host at Duke? Can't seem to find a list anywhere

Usually when you schedule your interview you have the option of selecting whether or not you want a student host. Someone from the first year class will contact you with the information of your host a few weeks before your interview.

 

[Postal Blowfish]

Usually when you schedule your interview you have the option of selecting whether or not you want a student host. Someone from the first year class will contact you with the information of your host a few weeks before your interview.

When I scheduled the interview it didn't give me this option.

 

[jla314]

When I scheduled the interview it didn't give me this option.

You have to email Duke's student hosting coordination program. The email should be provided under helpful information on your PAS student portal thingy, i think.

 

[BerlinDude]

Its been 7 weeks since I was moved to screening. How long should I wait before calling them to check about the status of the application?

I'm in the same position. I'd like to send an e-mail saying "Are you f-ing kidding me", but I think I'll hold off on that for now.

If you do contact them, let me know what they say.

 

[derArzt]

Its been 7 weeks since I was moved to screening. How long should I wait before calling them to check about the status of the application?

Same. I'm just glad it's not a rejection so far. Still standing!

 

[trueBelief]

Same. I'm just glad it's not a rejection so far. Still standing!

Yup same here I think I will wait for about 10-14 more days and then give them a call asking about the status of my application. From what it seems like, our apps might be in some busy adcom member's inbox.

 

[BerlinDude]

Welcome to the club!

🙁 Unfortunately, I have bad news to report as president of the club for applicants who haven't heard a decision for a ridiculous amount of time. Today, labor day, I received an e-mail saying that I was invited for interview. I must resign as president of the club for applicants who haven't heard a decision for a ridiculous amount of time, a position I served in since mid-July. 🙁

I nominate my submit-buddy PowerButton as successor.

 

[caniac]

Duke invite -- Submitted Aug 25th, Invite email Sep. 7th.

best of luck to everyone 🙂

 

[PowerButton]

🙁 Unfortunately, I have bad news to report as president of the club for applicants who haven't heard a decision for a ridiculous amount of time. Today, labor day, I received an e-mail saying that I was invited for interview. I must resign as president of the club for applicants who haven't heard a decision for a ridiculous amount of time, a position I served in since mid-July. 🙁

I nominate my submit-buddy PowerButton as successor.

Hey congratulations man!! I wish I could be leaving the club as well, but I suppose I'll take up the reins after you.

 

[trueBelief]

Hey congratulations man!! I wish I could be leaving the club as well, but I suppose I'll take up the reins after you.

Unless I get rejected, that position needs to be transferred to me once you get your invite BerlinDude =)

 

[allen5055]

Interview Invite 9/8. Submitted secondary 8/15. I'm super excited.

 

[BerlinDude]

Can someone who has access to MSAR post the relevant admissions info about Duke (how many applications received, interviews given, admissions offers made, etc)? Thanks.

 

[LeavingThisLab]

Can someone who has access to MSAR post the relevant admissions info about Duke (how many applications received, interviews given, admissions offers made, etc)? Thanks.

According to US News, this is what I have:

5001 applied, 1077 interviewed, 218 accepted, 100 enrolled
126 interviewed instate -- 29 accepted
951 interviewed OOS -- 189 accepted

Avg GPA = 3.78
Avg MCAT, 1 subject = 11.5 P (12 BS, 11.9 PS, 10.7 VR)

 

[MsTaco]

Happy Labor Day to me...got an interview invite yesterday 🙂. Take heart...submitted 8/4, 3.5 gpa, 33P mcat...so if I stand a chance, I think you all do!

Question: Would it look bad/hurt my chances to schedule my interview for late Feb/early March? Cuz last year I literally went insane for 2 months after my interview waiting to hear back...my thinking being that this year I can trick myself into thinking its a quick turn around. But I don't want to risk it if looks like I'm being lazy or not interested in the school...cuz it's actually one of my dream schools and I want to get this interview right...

 

[NotSur]

Happy Labor Day to me...got an interview invite yesterday 🙂. Take heart...submitted 8/4, 3.5 gpa, 33P mcat...so if I stand a chance, I think you all do!

Question: Would it look bad/hurt my chances to schedule my interview for late Feb/early March? Cuz last year I literally went insane for 2 months after my interview waiting to hear back...my thinking being that this year I can trick myself into thinking its a quick turn around. But I don't want to risk it if looks like I'm being lazy or not interested in the school...cuz it's actually one of my dream schools and I want to get this interview right...

Ah, do not do that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even at a non-rolling school, you want them to look at you earlier rather than later! And who knows, what if you hear earlier from them? Or you have time to cultivate a relationship with the adcom? Congrats though!!! I really want an interview from Duke. Duke, I <3 you!!!

 

[Bbon]

According to US News, this is what I have:

5001 applied, 1077 interviewed, 218 accepted, 100 enrolled
126 interviewed instate -- 29 accepted
951 interviewed OOS -- 189 accepted

Avg GPA = 3.78
Avg MCAT, 1 subject = 11.5 P (12 BS, 11.9 PS, 10.7 VR)

Holy crap, Duke only accepts 1 in 5 interviewees? An interview invite doesn't exactly inspire optimism.

 

[chadwick]

Secondary Submitted: August 21
Interview Invite: September 8

UG Science GPA: 3.3
UG Overall GPA: 3.5
Grad (Biology) GPA: 3.8
MCAT: 37P

 

[BerlinDude]

Holy crap, Duke only accepts 1 in 5 interviewees? An interview invite doesn't exactly inspire optimism.

That's exactly what I was thinking. Still, I'd rather have an interview than not.

 

[BerlinDude]

Anyone know the best way to get from the Raleigh-Durham airport to the Duke campus?[FONT='PrimaSans BT,Verdana,sans-serif'].

 

[lstone13]

What is the average wait time after submitting the secondary/completing application to hearing back from them about an interview or rejection?

 

[BerlinDude]

What is the average wait time after submitting the secondary/completing application to hearing back from them about an interview or rejection?

So far the range has been two days to two months. I would guess the average is 4 weeks.

 

[archimedesxx]

I have been offered an interview however I want to schedule it for January. My reason for this is because I want to gain enough experience on the trail b4 tackling Duke and also because it is non-rolling. Will my late interview signal lack of interest in Duke? I don't want to jeopardize my chances because of this. Please let me know what you guys think. Thanks in advance.

 

[KiraArgounova]

Anyone know the best way to get from the Raleigh-Durham airport to the Duke campus?[FONT='PrimaSans BT,Verdana,sans-serif'].

Definitely cab. From my experience at RDU, I would recommend A Falcon Ride (919.309.2700), but there are plenty of companies.

 

[BrainBox]

So has anyone interviewed yet?