2015-2016 Duke University Application Thread

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starlite911 said:
so jealous of you. My goal is to have it in before the 3 week mark this Thursday 🙁
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We're almost done tho! I've only got 4 left, 2 of which I haven't received yet so there's hope that the never-ending essay cycle will soon be over.
 
Does anyone know the differences b/w the Primary Care Leadership Track and the Regular MD (i.e., more than I can find from a Google search)? How much more competitive is admittance to the program? Is the program similar to the Columbia-Bassett program in that if you are rejected for it you'll still be considered for a regular MD track?

Also, if anyone is currently in the PCLT Duke program I'd love to hear your feedback!
 
Would working with the school to help a friend seek counseling for suicidal thoughts count as advocating? (He was resistant to the idea, but had many obvious red-flags for suicide, mostly in the form of very concerning texts). Or should I go with stopping some people from bullying/making fun of a student with Aspberger's?
 
rocklobstr said:
Would working with the school to help a friend seek counseling for suicidal thoughts count as advocating? (He was resistant to the idea, but had many obvious red-flags for suicide, mostly in the form of very concerning texts). Or should I go with stopping some people from bullying/making fun of a student with Aspberger's?
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The suicidal friend sounds more unique and I would think figuring out how to talk to a friend about that would be difficult.
 
rocklobstr said:
Would working with the school to help a friend seek counseling for suicidal thoughts count as advocating? (He was resistant to the idea, but had many obvious red-flags for suicide, mostly in the form of very concerning texts). Or should I go with stopping some people from bullying/making fun of a student with Aspberger's?
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I had a similar situation with a suicidal friend and I used it for other school's challenge/adversity essay. I did not use it for Duke, but I could have and I encourage you to. For my advocacy I chose something more similar to the bullying one, but I think either one is fine.
 
NorthOfBroad said:
I had a similar situation with a suicidal friend and I used it for other school's challenge/adversity essay. I did not use it for Duke, but I could have and I encourage you to. For my advocacy I chose something more similar to the bullying one, but I think either one is fine.
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Okay thanks. I didn't think of using it for a challenge/adversity essay, but I might do that now. It was actually one of the most emotionally difficult situations I have had to handle now that I reflect on it. Plus, I already wrote a rough draft of the bullying essay 😛
 
rocklobstr said:
Okay thanks. I didn't think of using it for a challenge/adversity essay, but I might do that now. It was actually one of the most emotionally difficult situations I have had to handle now that I reflect on it. Plus, I already wrote a rough draft of the bullying essay 😛
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I feel like the second and fourth essays are pretty similar, and almost contradictory.

2. How have you advocated for someone different?
4. What challenges will you face working with different people?

I'd imagine if you were willing to advocate for someone different, then you wouldn't have much difficulty working with a diverse group of people.
 
rocklobstr said:
Hahaha, I'm sure your 3.5 didn't much matter in the face of a 523. Awesome job!
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Lol thanks 🙂 I really don't have a very interesting story, so it feels weird. I'm just about to start my 4th year of college, no gap years, no graduate degrees, no jobs, no crazy ECs. I have no idea what set me apart (besides my MCAT). I guess I'm a decent writer, and my PI is from NC and probably gave me a pretty stellar recommendation, but that's it! So let this be an inspiration to you!

Also, mentioned my political affiliation (R) in my secondary. Not sure if this hurt, helped, or kept it neutral.
 
Blah. I forgot they added a new question in the first prompt since it looked the same as last year's
 
icarus2847 said:
Blah. I forgot they added a new question in the first prompt since it looked the same as last year's
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...FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU I didnt pay attention...🙁 🙁 🙁

EDIT: OH WAIT I couldn't answer that last question anyway--moved too often lulz. #dodgedabullet
 
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I agree, don't worry about it! I added a couple of sentences to my pre-written response and it just looked... wonky.
 
Looks like they interview a THIRD of people who submit the supplement. Wow! That seems like quite a lot! But their post II acceptance rate is quite low as a result :/ Only 180 acceptances for 100 spots.
 
chocoholicsoxfan said:
Looks like they interview a THIRD of people who submit the supplement. Wow! That seems like quite a lot! But their post II acceptance rate is quite low as a result :/ Only 180 acceptances for 100 spots.
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How many complete the secondary?
 
chocoholicsoxfan said:
Looks like the thing on the admissions website indicates that roughly 2500 people complete it. MSAR LIES!
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MSAR "verified applications" give the number of people who submitted primaries, I believe. I've heard before that only 1/2 of people finish the secondary, because it's a beast (I'm still working my way towards that half), and based on the 2500 number you're giving, it looks like even less than half complete it
 
They probably make is so beastly as a way of weeding out people who aren't serious about duke lol
 
starlite911 said:
MSAR "verified applications" give the number of people who submitted primaries, I believe. I've heard before that only 1/2 of people finish the secondary, because it's a beast (I'm still working my way towards that half), and based on the 2500 number you're giving, it looks like even less than half complete it
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I'm talking about the interview numbers. MSAR says 440, Duke says 750.
 
Joeshie said:
Every day I work on secondaries and think to myself, why couldn't I be @phuynh94 ?????

#StillWorkingOnThis #19DaysAfterReceived
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D'AWWWWWW you're making me blush, haha! 😊 I was just incredibly privileged to be able to just...block out my time for pre-writing, which I know is simply not possible for some people. (That, and many of the schools I applied to required pretty generic secondaries, Duke being one of the few exceptions.) In the end though, I'm sure your hard work will pay off and you'll be swimming in IIs! 😉 Just work hard! We're rooting for you!
 
phuynh94 said:
D'AWWWWWW you're making me blush, haha! 😊 I was just incredibly privileged to be able to just...block out my time for pre-writing, which I know is simply not possible for some people. (That, and many of the schools I applied to required pretty generic secondaries, Duke being one of the few exceptions.) In the end though, I'm sure your hard work will pay off and you'll be swimming in IIs! 😉 Just work hard! We're rooting for you!
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I think I can speak for most people here when I say that your positivity and encouraging words really make an impact here on SDN. I can't wait to see you become an amazing doctor.
 
Yangeranggg said:
I think I can speak for most people here when I say that your positivity and encouraging words really make an impact here on SDN. I can't wait to see you become an amazing doctor.
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+1, I feel like @phuynh94 is more excited (for me) than I am each time I get an II!

Edit: seeing ghastly as the icon helps too 😏
 
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