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2011-2012 Duke Application Thread
Started by Sammich117
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If it's the same as last year (which...seeing as they changed the interview process, etc, there's no guarantee), all decisions went out via email. I was accepted on March 15 electronically and received the physical letter in the mail a few days later.
Good luck everyone, and have an awesome winter break!
Good luck everyone, and have an awesome winter break!
If anyone is still interested in the virtual interview via Skype, it's not too late. I called them today to make arrangements. Just call the Office of Admissions (919-684-2985) and ask to speak with Mrs. Jeanine Holland.
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At my interview day, they said last year they ultimately accepted 224 students. This year they plan to interview between 700-800. I assume they were just trying to make us feel better stating between 700 and 800. I bet the number is much closer to 800.
How much will my chances be hurt by having one of the last few interview days?
And I think they went over their target number of 800
And I think they went over their target number of 800
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Since Duke is non-rolling, it shouldn't hurt your chances. Good luck!
I couldn't find an e-mail for an update letter either...maybe its a sign that they don't want people to send them updates...lol. Not sure though...
I asked about update letters when I was there, as I had one printed in case they would add it to my file. They said they were not accepting any right now, and if/when they do, they will provide us with info about sending it.
To those who have already interviewed:
1. Are we supposed to send in Rec Letters before the interview on our own? I read through emails I got from them recently (interview invite, interview confirmation) and neither mentions anything about rec letters. I just know I haven't sent them in yet...
2. Is the general consensus that there's not much we can do to prepare, and all we know is that there are stations that ask us (NO traditional interview questions whatsoever: why Duke, why medicine, tell me about yourself): ethical dilemma, where we have to act out what we would do in various situations, a teamwork/collaborative situation, and an essay station?
I have my interview coming up in late January and just began to think about it more!
1. Are we supposed to send in Rec Letters before the interview on our own? I read through emails I got from them recently (interview invite, interview confirmation) and neither mentions anything about rec letters. I just know I haven't sent them in yet...
2. Is the general consensus that there's not much we can do to prepare, and all we know is that there are stations that ask us (NO traditional interview questions whatsoever: why Duke, why medicine, tell me about yourself): ethical dilemma, where we have to act out what we would do in various situations, a teamwork/collaborative situation, and an essay station?
I have my interview coming up in late January and just began to think about it more!
I found the interviews to be akin to what I feel like Speed Dating would hypothetically be like. They are very simple prompts and really nothing to be anxious about. I was wondering how I could have prepared prior to mine and after having mine...it is pretty clear to me that there was no specific practice or resource that would have helped me greatly. Overall, its painless. I found it to be worthwhile but, in some ways, kind of gimmicky though.
Good Luck!
Good Luck!
Definitely.
in what ways?
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It's just difficult to have a substantive and meaningful conversation with the people you talk to because you are under the clock (8 min). Retrospectively, I would suggest that they reduce the # of stations to 6 and make them each 15 minutes. I like the idea of the MMI, but I don't think that the traditional system is that flawed - I like it, in fact. In some respects, I felt like the MMIs were simply like a glorified first impression but fair. Just my 2 cents...
I got the feeling of "Look at this special way we do interviews! It's very special and awesome." Just a feeling I got. Also, I felt that many of the stations were very contrived and a bit silly.
This is one of those situations in which your opinion is innately useless since you haven't been on an admissions committee or had to deal with the 60% variability of traditional interviews. Sorry to sound blunt, but I'm going to have to side with them and accept that there is a flaw in the traditional system on the basis that none of our opinions are based in non-anecdotal evidence except theirs.
I forgot to say.. while I agree with the above sender that it seems like a lot of first impressions, don't they say that someone's final decision on an applicant they interview is usually formed by the end of the first impression anyway? The schools that I've gotten into so far have been after interviews in which the interviewer actually told me right off of the bat that they loved my file.
Can any give me a breakdown of the interview day? Are there presentations, classes, etc.?
I'm not sure why I can't have an opinion without being a part of an admissions committee. My statement was more one of personal preference, not one claiming that the old system is absolutely perfect...just that, to me, the old system is imperfect but a good enough way to gauge an individuals personality and ability to communicate - and that as a matter of my own preference I like it. I'm not sure why that is soo objectionable.
I'm fine with the idea of being judged by multiple first impressions...but just don't make it seem like the MMI does not sacrifice anything and only achieves greater ends. You DO sacrifice some substance in order to get more inputs and reduce the variability, which seems like a reasonable thing to do.
Overall, I'm fine with MMIs and how they were implemented...but was just sharing my gut impression and reaction about my experience...
If it was just a statement of personal preference, then I take my statement back. I was more thinking that "I don't think that the traditional system was flawed" was an evaluation of their reasoning to implement the MMI.
Could people already did interviews please take this question?
Do we have to physically send the recommendations letters in via Interfolio and etc., or shall we assume that it's already been taken care of between Duke and our school committees?
Thanks a bunch! 🙂
The letters should be sent after the interview invite. On the day of the interview, the admissions staff will let you know whether or not they have received your letters yet. The instructions are in a "Welcome to the DukeMed Supplemental Application" email I received July 2nd.
They will only accept physical letters mailed through Interfolio, or electronic letters transmitted through VirtualEvals (if your committee uses this service).
They will only accept physical letters mailed through Interfolio, or electronic letters transmitted through VirtualEvals (if your committee uses this service).
I think they'll also accept paper copies of letters sent directly from your undergrad institution (pre-med committee and/or career office).
QUESTION:
Does anyone definitively know if the number of letters is capped at four, or if that is the minimum number required?
QUESTION:
Does anyone definitively know if the number of letters is capped at four, or if that is the minimum number required?
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Pretty sure four is the minimum, and there is no maximum. At least, I hope so -- I sent five.
Yep.
When someone says "four letters are required," when does that ever mean "four and only four are accepted" rather than "we want at least four letters"?
They accept electronic versions from InterFolio as well (that's how mine got to them)
Thank you guys! I just called them and apparently they don't need the letters until after interviews. Happy New Year everyone!
Fairly new to this site but I was wondering is duke done giving interview invites?
They added 4 more interview dates in February. I'm interviewing on 2/3... but I got the invitation about a month ago, so I suspect they are probably done sending them out. There will always be people to cancel, though.
So, just to confirm, Duke doesn't take update letters because they are internally rolling?
indeed
Hi
I have a morning interview slot and was wondering when the day would be over without any optional sessions...for flight scheduling reasons. Thx
I have a morning interview slot and was wondering when the day would be over without any optional sessions...for flight scheduling reasons. Thx
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7:30 - 8:30 AM Registration/Breakfast
8:30 - 9:45 AM Welcome to Duke/Breakdown of the Day and Intro to MMI
9:50 - 10:00 AM Break
10 AM - 12 PM Multiple Mini Interviews
12:00 - 12:45 PM Lunch
1:00 - 1:30 PM The Duke Curriculum
1:30 - 2:00 PM Financial Aid Presentation
2:00 - 3:00 PM Tour of the Facilities
3:15 - 3:30 PM Debrief and Farewell
Does anyone know if the admissions committee has been meeting already to make post-interview decisions in preparation for March? Or does this happen later in February/early March.
You won't get an email about it, since the hosting coordinators only get contact info for people who requested student hosting. We don't have a list of everyone who is interviewing. I'll PM you the information though. And congratulations on the interview 🙂
Hi, what's the fastest/cheapest way to get from the airport (RDU) to campus? For
those who took a taxi/ or shuttle how much did it cost?
those who took a taxi/ or shuttle how much did it cost?
The taxi was about $40 to my host's place near the school. (I think I may have over-tipped, but American money was just so new to me. I mean, dollar bills, really?) My host offered to pick me up at the airport, but I didn't want to put him out of his way. On the way back, a current student (with a car) offered to drive a bunch of us interviewees to the airport after our MMI. Another group of interviewees took a shuttle bus directly from the hospital to the airport. (I think it may have been ~$20 one way?)
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