2012-2013 Duke University Application Thread

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So are we supposed to do all three optional essays or choose one?
 
GrabSlamBoot said:
Hmm kinda wish I waited to submit now so it would have been fixed
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GrabSlamBoot, I wouldn't sweat it. It may or may not be how the adcom necessarily sees it. If you click on the individual essay fields in the application, you still see paragraph breaks; so they may still be able to see them.

And if they can't, it's not the end of the world. It's their formatting problems and they're aware of them, so they can't ding you for that. 👍
 
TheKDizzle said:
Do any current medical students or anyone else know what exactly it means when Duke says the 3rd year can be used to obtain a dual degree? Does that satisfy the scholarship requirement, is that in addition to it, or does it somehow modify the scholarship requirement? Would obtaining a dual degree still take 5 years? Thanks!
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If you are using 3rd year towards a dual degree, it satisfies the scholarship requirement. It's fairly easy to qualify since all you have to do is to write a paper that describes what you've been doing. Pretty much any degree you choose will also require a paper, so that's covered. If you do a 1-yr degree, then you'll get a dual degree in 4 years vs 5 (since other medical schools would require you to take an entire year off, usually between 2nd and 3rd year to get that second degree). If you do for example a 3-yr degree (JD anyone?), then you'll be spending 6 years total in school as opposed to 7. Hope that makes sense! Being MSTP at Duke is especially awesome since you "save" a year when you're getting your PhD.

Hope that makes sense! I hope you all get interviews!! 🙂
 
As a reapplicant, do you think the "toughest feedback" essay would be a good opportunity to write about not getting into medical school and the things I have done since then to strengthen my application?

Or are they looking for something else?
 
uiowa2012 said:
As a reapplicant, do you think the "toughest feedback" essay would be a good opportunity to write about not getting into medical school and the things I have done since then to strengthen my application?

Or are they looking for something else?
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Personally, I would avoid doing this unless you have a really amazing story about how being rejected caused you to reexamine your life and do something amazing. Being rejected from med school will probably not seem like very tough feedback compared to the topics some other applicants choose to write about. Plus, it's a good opportunity to showcase something the admissions committee doesn't know about you!
 
uiowa2012 said:
As a reapplicant, do you think the "toughest feedback" essay would be a good opportunity to write about not getting into medical school and the things I have done since then to strengthen my application?

Or are they looking for something else?
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Doesn't matter what topic you choose to write about. It's not the situation that matters but how you handled it, your thought process, etc. Last year the "feedback" I wrote about was actually a really minor, offhand remark I heard someone make that wasn't even directed at me. My entire essay was just a stream of consciousness description of how I internalized the remark and worked it into my own concept of medicine. It's certainly not a "tough" situation on par with what other applicants may have experienced, but this isn't a rat race to see who has suffered the most, and I think the adcoms appreciated (what I thought was) a really honest and introspective essay.

Edit:Clearly I went on a tangent and forgot to add my advice...which is that you can def write about getting rejected, but try to be more introspective than just giving a play-by-play of all the things you've done to improve your app.
 
I got the Duke secondary more than a month ago now, do you think it is still worth it to submit? I know that the 2 week thing isn't required but a month seems like it might be pushing it.
 
mnbmen said:
I got the Duke secondary more than a month ago now, do you think it is still worth it to submit? I know that the 2 week thing isn't required but a month seems like it might be pushing it.
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I honestly don't think it matters at all
 
mnbmen said:
I got the Duke secondary more than a month ago now, do you think it is still worth it to submit? I know that the 2 week thing isn't required but a month seems like it might be pushing it.
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My friend, who has been on the admissions board for several top med schools, said it doesn't really matter. I have been turning mine in a month late as well for most of my schools, because July was a terrible month for me and I have received a couple of interviews... So I think it's fine.
 
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Last year they gave out interviews about a week and half or so from now so maybe around then?
 
Anyone have opinions on what qualifies for "early development" in the core values essay? Like does high school count, or are they looking for tween years or younger?
 
amonymous said:
Anyone have opinions on what qualifies for "early development" in the core values essay? Like does high school count, or are they looking for tween years or younger?
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I would venture a guess as to say that they were looking for earlier on, but if the most important thing you have to say by far is during your high school years for this prompt, I'd still stick to that. If not, I might aim for a little bit earlier. Others are welcome to share their opinions, too!
 
TheKDizzle said:
I would venture a guess as to say that they were looking for earlier on, but if the most important thing you have to say by far is during your high school years for this prompt, I'd still stick to that. If not, I might aim for a little bit earlier. Others are welcome to share their opinions, too!
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That's similar to how I interpreted the prompt as well.
 
TheKDizzle said:
I would venture a guess as to say that they were looking for earlier on, but if the most important thing you have to say by far is during your high school years for this prompt, I'd still stick to that. If not, I might aim for a little bit earlier. Others are welcome to share their opinions, too!
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Agree! +1
 
speakwhales said:
My friend, who has been on the admissions board for several top med schools, said it doesn't really matter. I have been turning mine in a month late as well for most of my schools, because July was a terrible month for me and I have received a couple of interviews... So I think it's fine.
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I hope so. Duke is one of my top schools, a great school that seems a bit lenient with their MCAT. I'm prolly going to wait another week to submit (so it'll be 27 days when I submit), but I feel like I can really nail these essays. I don't think the 2-week rule really matters for Duke since there are so many essays to write.
 
uiowa2012 said:
As a reapplicant, do you think the "toughest feedback" essay would be a good opportunity to write about not getting into medical school and the things I have done since then to strengthen my application?

Or are they looking for something else?
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I wouldn't. This just brings attention to the fact that others in the past have deemed you an uncompetitive applicant and then, instead of looking for reasons to like you, they'll start looking for reasons to dislike you. Besides, using that topic doesn't really expand on who you are as a person as much as other things might. I like to think the primary objective is to answer the question and the secondary objective in writing these things is to paint the most vivid picture possible of who you are as an applicant.

cj8
 
I'm also applying for the PCLT; do you know where we can find which specialties are considered primary care?
 
How bad is it to apply to PCLT and then specialize in something else if I change my mind? I know the scholarship becomes a loan.
 
How long are all of your essays? Mine are about 1 page each. Is that too much/too little?
 
Inb4 "As long as you find necessary to thoughtfully and completely address the question"
 
So i just received an e-mail requesting me to complete the secondary (which I did about a month ago). Checked my app again and there was a II waiting to be scheduled :soexcited:

Called them, it seems like they sent the wrong e-mail to me :laugh:
 
ERMAHGERD said:
So i just received an e-mail requesting me to complete the secondary (which I did about a month ago). Checked my app again and there was a II waiting to be scheduled :soexcited:

Called them, it seems like they sent the wrong e-mail to me :laugh:
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Haha so you got an interview?
 
GrabSlamBoot said:
Haha so you got an interview?
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I mean I scheduled it and everything. The lady who answered the phone told me to e-mail her my name and amcas id so she could send me the right e-mail w/ all the interview day activities on it...I'm assuming that I got the II...

If this was all a mistake, I'm just going to spend the rest of the night wallowing in self-defeat while spooning tubs of mint chocolate chip ice cream and nutella <-- doesn't sound like that bad of a night actually 😛
 
ERMAHGERD said:
I mean I scheduled it and everything. The lady who answered the phone told me to e-mail her my name and amcas id so she could send me the right e-mail w/ all the interview day activities on it...I'm assuming that I got the II...

If this was all a mistake, I'm just going to spend the rest of the night wallowing in self-defeat while spooning tubs of mint chocolate chip ice cream and nutella <-- doesn't sound like that bad of a night actually 😛
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Same. Luckily I have some Chunky Monkey in the freezer if this turns out to be a cruel joke from Duke.
 
ERMAHGERD said:
I mean I scheduled it and everything. The lady who answered the phone told me to e-mail her my name and amcas id so she could send me the right e-mail w/ all the interview day activities on it...I'm assuming that I got the II...

If this was all a mistake, I'm just going to spend the rest of the night wallowing in self-defeat while spooning tubs of mint chocolate chip ice cream and nutella <-- doesn't sound like that bad of a night actually 😛
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With your knack for imagery I'd wager you could write the next 50 Shades book
 
ERMAHGERD said:
So i just received an e-mail requesting me to complete the secondary (which I did about a month ago). Checked my app again and there was a II waiting to be scheduled :soexcited:

Called them, it seems like they sent the wrong e-mail to me :laugh:
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Well congrats!
 
Is it just me or do I feel like Duke has the hardest essay topics to write out of all the schools? Especially the one about the moral and ethical dilemma. What exactly are they looking for? Do they really expect every applicant to have something drastic and unique about their lives?

I am senior in college, I've had a relatively smooth childhood and life. Been a straight A student all my life and in college, I have a happy family, healthy and loving parents (nothing like broken family, divorced family, alcoholic father etc), and no major financial troubles. I don't have any run in with the laws, never really done anything that made me contemplate/question about my morals, never done anything unethical, and never struggled with my identity or culture.

After presenting this question to my father, who's a physician, he said "why are they asking you young people this question? Your life barely started. Why does it seem like they want applicants with difficult, troubled past who's had moral/ethical struggles? What happens to applicants like you who's had outstanding academic careers and who's had a smooth and relatively good life?"

I am really struggling with this question. I don't know how to approach this question. I don't know if many of you also had the same problems, but any inspiration will be appreciated!
 
smile8888 said:
Is it just me or do I feel like Duke has the hardest essay topics to write out of all the schools? Especially the one about the moral and ethical dilemma. What exactly are they looking for? Do they really expect every applicant to have something drastic and unique about their lives?

I am senior in college, I've had a relatively smooth childhood and life. Been a straight A student all my life and in college, I have a happy family, healthy and loving parents (nothing like broken family, divorced family, alcoholic father etc), and no major financial troubles. I don't have any run in with the laws, never really done anything that made me contemplate/question about my morals, never done anything unethical, and never struggled with my identity or culture.

After presenting this question to my father, who's a physician, he said "why are they asking you young people this question? Your life barely started. Why does it seem like they want applicants with difficult, troubled past who's had moral/ethical struggles? What happens to applicants like you who's had outstanding academic careers and who's had a smooth and relatively good life?"

I am really struggling with this question. I don't know how to approach this question. I don't know if many of you also had the same problems, but any inspiration will be appreciated!
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I had a REALLY hard time with this question. I had all my essays finished and still hadn't written this one so I know how you feel. It really helped me to talk to someone that knows me really well. After looking at examples online, I couldn't think of anything as drastic and I was completely stuck. The best advice I got was to stop trying to think of something that perfectly fit the topic and to try to find something in my life that somewhat fit. The essay's not going to be as good as someone with a huge moral/ethical dilemma in their life so accept that and try to find some way to just get through the essay. Good luck!
 
smile8888 said:
Is it just me or do I feel like Duke has the hardest essay topics to write out of all the schools? Especially the one about the moral and ethical dilemma. What exactly are they looking for? Do they really expect every applicant to have something drastic and unique about their lives?

I am senior in college, I've had a relatively smooth childhood and life. Been a straight A student all my life and in college, I have a happy family, healthy and loving parents (nothing like broken family, divorced family, alcoholic father etc), and no major financial troubles. I don't have any run in with the laws, never really done anything that made me contemplate/question about my morals, never done anything unethical, and never struggled with my identity or culture.

After presenting this question to my father, who's a physician, he said "why are they asking you young people this question? Your life barely started. Why does it seem like they want applicants with difficult, troubled past who's had moral/ethical struggles? What happens to applicants like you who's had outstanding academic careers and who's had a smooth and relatively good life?"

I am really struggling with this question. I don't know how to approach this question. I don't know if many of you also had the same problems, but any inspiration will be appreciated!
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Syfte3 said:
I had a REALLY hard time with this question. I had all my essays finished and still hadn't written this one so I know how you feel. It really helped me to talk to someone that knows me really well. After looking at examples online, I couldn't think of anything as drastic and I was completely stuck. The best advice I got was to stop trying to think of something that perfectly fit the topic and to try to find something in my life that somewhat fit. The essay's not going to be as good as someone with a huge moral/ethical dilemma in their life so accept that and try to find some way to just get through the essay. Good luck!
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I agree with Syfte3, sometimes you can't write to fit the topic, but rather fit the topic to something important in your life. My understanding about these types of questions is that they want to see your thought process, how you handle a difficult situation, who you go to for help, what you learned from your experience. If a rather "benign" situation caused you to have to address some of these questions, then that will fit this essay. We are young, most of us haven't faced these extreme ethical dilemmas, and Admissions knows this. However, we have faced decisions, no matter how small, that have asked us to see multiple perspectives and weigh them against each other.

Good luck with this essay! Its a beast, but ultimately allows for some good internal reflection.
 
GrabSlamBoot said:
Did u guys get complete emails?
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Congrats to all on the invites! And I would also like to know about the complete e-mails. My status on the application is "application screening," I don't know if there's supposed to be anything else?
 
Syfte3 said:
Congrats to all on the invites! And I would also like to know about the complete e-mails. My status on the application is "application screening," I don't know if there's supposed to be anything else?
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Yeah man. That why mine says. I know duke doesent request LOR unless u are invited for an interview so I guess when people refer to complete they mean when they turned in the secondary.
 
Syfte3 said:
Congrats to all on the invites! And I would also like to know about the complete e-mails. My status on the application is "application screening," I don't know if there's supposed to be anything else?
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Yeah there's no complete email. If you get a second email to fill in a secondary app, check your status because they have been mistakenly sending those emails in the place of regular interview invite emails.
 
Has anyone not received a secondary from Duke yet? My AMCAS was verified over a month ago, and Duke is the only school from which I have not received a secondary app.
 
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996GT2 said:
Has anyone not received a secondary from Duke yet? My AMCAS was verified over a month ago, and Duke is the only school from which I have not received a secondary app.
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He same thing happened to me. I called the admissions office. The secondary was sent to me the next morning.
 
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