2011-2012 Duke Application Thread

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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!
 
Velour Fog said:
Definitely missed that option when I was scheduling my interview, then 🙁

(yes poor kid)
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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.
 
Does anyone know what percent of interviewed applicants get accepted at Duke? Thanks!
 
spring37 said:
Does anyone know what percent of interviewed applicants get accepted at Duke? Thanks!
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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.
 
duke%20interviews.JPG
 
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
 
Oh Duke how you break my heart. You were my number one choice!
Interviewed here last year and was waitlisted. This year, no interview at all :-(
 
ialwayslose said:
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
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Since Duke is non-rolling, it shouldn't hurt your chances. Good luck!
 
Has anyone sent an update letter to Duke? I'm trying to and I can't find an email address on their website...
 
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.
 
Anyone interviewing January 6 and heard back about student hosts?
 
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!
 
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!
 
indonacious said:
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!
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Definitely.
 
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...
 
indonacious said:
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...
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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.?
 
NatrixCaelicola said:
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.
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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.



NatrixCaelicola said:
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?
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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...
 
indonacious said:
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...
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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.
 
luckyducky87 said:
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...
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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).
 
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?
 
Velour Fog said:
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?
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Pretty sure four is the minimum, and there is no maximum. At least, I hope so -- I sent five.
 
candav said:
Pretty sure four is the minimum, and there is no maximum. At least, I hope so -- I sent five.
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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)
 
candav said:
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).
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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?
 
x
 
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Slev said:
I'm pretty sure, yes. They've already sent out invites for Jan 30 which is their last day of interviewing.
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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?
 
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
 
babydragon said:
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
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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.
 
Does anyone know if there is a student-organized event the night before the interview?
 
There is never anything official, but the student hosts typically try to coordinate dinner and froyo for the applicants so that we can meet you guys 🙂

If you are interviewing on Monday and coming in tomorrow, there are plans for dinner at least!
 
That's great! Where/when is the dinner? Or will I get an email about it? I am coming in to Durham today for the interview tomorrow, but I am staying in a hotel and not with a host.
 
ivorykeys said:
That's great! Where/when is the dinner? Or will I get an email about it? I am coming in to Durham today for the interview tomorrow, but I am staying in a hotel and not with a host.
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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?
 
babydragon said:
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?
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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?)
 
rent a car. cheaper than a taxi 2ways.
 
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