2013-2014 Duke University Application Thread

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
jturkel said:
to start a war between my school and yours...my school has the top 1 or 2 step1 score every yr....and our step2 avg is way above 229.....so saying that doing well on step1 and students not being motivated is a poor excuse
Click to expand...

Looking at empirical data -- 5 students matched into neurosurgery from Duke this past year (one of the highest if not the highest number of students from a single school). The average step 2 score for neurosurgery is one of the highest at 240 (2011 match), hence a competitive specialty. What this implies is either Duke students can score well if they want to or that residencies prefer Duke students despite a lower score. Take your pick. (Also this is all based on the assumption that the step 2 score is as mentioned previously).
Members don't see this ad.
 
Nakazima said:
Looking at empirical data -- 5 students matched into neurosurgery from Duke this past year (one of the highest if not the highest number of students from a single school). The average step 2 score for neurosurgery is one of the highest at 240 (2011 match), hence a competitive specialty. What this implies is either Duke students can score well if they want to or that residencies prefer Duke students despite a lower score. Take your pick. (Also this is all based on the assumption that the step 2 score is as mentioned previously).
Click to expand...
I have no dog in this fight, but 5 students matching into a competitive, self selecting residency hardly counts as evidence against a low average of 100 students.

No one is disputing Duke's excellent residency placement. They're just worried about the low step 2 scores. I have no doubt Duke students can do well, but maybe there's some reason out there that they choose not to. Despite other schools averages, I don't think lack of motivation should be so easily ruled out.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
One of the hardest decisions of my life... withdrew here for UCLA. Good luck to those on the W/L
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3 users
Members don't see this ad :)
would love to hear if/when anyone gets off the waitlist!
 
Just withdrew from Duke! Hope one of you great people get my spot :) best of luck everyone!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
wow!! Congrats!! phone call or email? did RW mention if there was more to come lol?
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
dr bauer said:
wow!! Congrats!! phone call or email? did RW mention if there was more to come lol?
Click to expand...
Group email, and he didn't mention it. But he made it pretty explicit that people who don't want to accept can just say no right away. I would imagine that means it should move quickly. Good luck!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
ttothemac said:
Group email, and he didn't mention it. But he made it pretty explicit that people who don't want to accept can just say no right away. I would imagine that means it should move quickly. Good luck!
Click to expand...

Sorry to be nitpicky, but did they give you a deadline by which to make a decision?
 
Accepted! They didn't give a deadline..it felt like an ASAP thing. Such an honor, but I will be withdrawing. Best of luck to those still waiting.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
Hi all, is a car necessary for the first year (assuming housing is within walking distance to the med school)?
 
Dance5257 said:
Hi all, is a car necessary for the first year (assuming housing is within walking distance to the med school)?
Click to expand...
I went to UNC for undergrad, and REALLY appreciated having a car for the last three years. There is a great mall (Southpoint) a short drive from Duke, as well as the great restaurant and shopping offerings of Chapel Hill. You will also not be far from PNC arena, where you can sometimes get Carolina Hurricanes hockey tickets very cheaply!! A car gives you access to all the triangle (and Charlotte, etc. if you want a long weekend) has to offer, and it is not as difficult/expensive to keep a car as it might be in a bigger city.
 
Members don't see this ad :)
Accepted and will attend. Dream come true!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 8 users
Nefertiti63 said:
congrats!!!! will you be attending?
Click to expand...
I want to....I have a partial scholarship elsewhere, but Duke is my dream school. I am waiting on financial aid to make a firm decision but I'd say I'm 85-90% sure I will attend!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
Accepted :) what a roller coaster! I can't wait to meet you all!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 4 users
totally surprised to be accepted off the waitlist this morning! The email was in my spam folder and I almost deleted it along with the weird life insurance emails I always get. Good thing Richard Wallace's name caught my eye. I was really not expecting this. I just skimmed the first paragraph trying to figure out why the heck I had this email and was poleaxed when I finally figured it out. Anyways. I did not send any updates/ LOIs. I will be withdrawing. Hope it goes to someone still waiting!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
Accepted off the waitlist on Friday as well! Will likely be matriculating!

To accepted students: how did you find your financial aid package compared to other schools? I got all loans at some other schools, but I've heard Duke is typically pretty generous with grants and am hoping I don't have to take out 100% loans to come here.

Edit: I sent two update letters (publication, employment) but never used any "intent" type language.
 
Last edited:
Anonymous1991 said:
Accepted off the waitlist on Friday as well! Will likely be matriculating!

To accepted students: how did you find your financial aid package compared to other schools? I got all loans at some other schools, but I've heard Duke is typically pretty generous with grants and am hoping I don't have to take out 100% loans to come here.

Edit: I sent two update letters (publication, employment) but never used any "intent" type language.
Click to expand...
Duke gave me my best offer. Was triple that of Cornell. Very generous.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 users
pyrrion89 said:
Duke gave me my best offer. Was triple that of Cornell. Very generous.
Click to expand...
Thats so funny because Duke gave me my worst package and it was completely unexpected. There are a lot of factors that schools use though so I guess it can be very different depending on the school
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
I certainly don't want to give the impression that Duke always beats out other offers---like Papa Doc said, there are likely many factors that play into it. My family has a high salary but no assets, so maybe Duke is biased in that respect, in that they care a lot about family assets (savings, retirement, 401ks, investments, properties, owned businesses).
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
Just out of curiosity, does anybody know what the daily schedule is like or where to find it? I wonder if the one year of preclinical requires a ton of extra work/study/classroom hours?
 
Last edited:
Any other accepted waitlisters know when we'll receive all the official info / financial aid packages?
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
what happens to folks still on the waitlist regarding financial aid for grants? I wasn't sure of my status and so I didn't finish the need access form. Anyone know how this works?
 
dr bauer said:
what happens to folks still on the waitlist regarding financial aid for grants? I wasn't sure of my status and so I didn't finish the need access form. Anyone know how this works?
Click to expand...
do that ASAP!!!
 
Is there a facebook group?
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
Accepted way back in March, definitely matriculating. Wanted to hear current students' thoughts on the following:

What type of board review books did you use during first year? What are your thoughts on the following:

- BRS Physiology vs. Costanza Physiology
- Netter's Anatomy Atlas vs. Gray's Anatomy for Students

- Pathoma --> is this useful during first year (specifically the second semester). Would it be worth getting it first year and holding a subscription through the middle of third year and Step 1 time? Or would it make sense to get a short subscription for first year and then renew for a few months during board review time?

- Firecracker --> any thoughts on this during first year and beyond? Similar to Pathoma, would it make sense to get a subscription for M1 and keep it through M2 and into Step 1?

- Any other useful books for other sections of the curriculum that I haven't mentioned?

Thanks!!!
 
Duke2018 said:
Accepted way back in March, definitely matriculating. Wanted to hear current students' thoughts on the following:

What type of board review books did you use during first year? What are your thoughts on the following:

- BRS Physiology vs. Costanza Physiology
- Netter's Anatomy Atlas vs. Gray's Anatomy for Students

- Pathoma --> is this useful during first year (specifically the second semester). Would it be worth getting it first year and holding a subscription through the middle of third year and Step 1 time? Or would it make sense to get a short subscription for first year and then renew for a few months during board review time?

- Firecracker --> any thoughts on this during first year and beyond? Similar to Pathoma, would it make sense to get a subscription for M1 and keep it through M2 and into Step 1?

- Any other useful books for other sections of the curriculum that I haven't mentioned?

Thanks!!!
Click to expand...

There is great info for this on the duke med wiki page on the davison council website.

Here is what most people use, (To be brief):

BOTH BRS and Costanzo.
Anatomy atlases go based on individual preference. I'm a Netter's man. Thieme is also really good. Gray's is good for reading content. Don't buy it if you're just looking for image references.
Pathoma is ABSOLUTELY Necessary.
Not familiar with Firecracker but it looks similar to Anki which is free. Previous year's classes have made and share decks with new students, they will have you covered.

These are all great resources but I will STRONGLY encourage you to enjoy your time before school starts and not buy these things or start studying. There is plenty of time to be buried in medical school resources. Take Rdubs' advice and use the money you were thinking about blowing on books for your summer to take a trip and drink things with umbrella's in them. Have a great summer! We're really looking forward to seeing you all in August!
 
Does anybody know if there is going to be any more waitlist movement? I know a few people here decided to decline their spots on the waitlist and I can't imagine they would give more wait list acceptances than there are leftover spots in the class. Maybe I'm just being too optimistic?
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
Anyone else get a financial aid package today without an acceptance?
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
Nefertiti63 said:
I did. No one knows what happened but I'm still on the WL. So weird.
Click to expand...

wow, that's my worst nightmare. Here's your financial aid package! Oops, we didn't actually accept you...
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
Officially decided I'm attending Duke!

Also @Nefertiti63 I'm so sorry that happened to you. Keeping my fingers crossed for good news for you!! :luck:
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 users
people who were accepted off the waitlist on the 16th.. how long did they give you to make a decision? Wondering if there are even any more spots left?
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
dr bauer said:
people who were accepted off the waitlist on the 16th.. how long did they give you to make a decision? Wondering if there are even any more spots left?
Click to expand...

My official letter asked for a response before June 9th, so it could be plausible that more people are still making up their minds!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
You must log in or register to reply here.
Next unread thread

Similar threads

gettheleadout
2014-2015 Duke University Application Thread
46 47 48 49 50
Replies
2K
Views
474K
premedicalstudent
P
T
2013-2014 McGill University Application Thread
Replies
13
Views
4K
TheKMan1
T
oceanmist
2013-2014 Stanford University Waitlist Thread
Replies
34
Views
12K
nemo123
nemo123
gettheleadout
2014-2015 Vanderbilt University Application Thread
15 16 17 18 19
Replies
943
Views
216K
chungmil
chungmil
gettheleadout
2014-2015 Temple University Application Thread
19 20 21 22 23
Replies
1K
Views
280K
partypantss
partypantss
Top