2015-2016 Duke University Application Thread

[Okazaki Frag Grenade]

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I'm sold

Yeah you could easily do 3 days. You can do Durham things one day, Chapel Hill/Carborro the next, and throw in Raleigh if you wanted too. They're all very close. PM me if you want specific ideas

 

[carolina910]

So if I have the option of turning my interview into a small 3 day trip in Durham in December, is there enough to do to fill all the time? I'm not familiar with the city.

Definitely worth it! I'm totally biased, but Durham is very fun!

We are a very foodie city, so that's the main thing you're going to want to do. Make sure to go to Dame's Chicken and Waffles - but be sure to make a reservation! I also usually recommend Parker and Otis for a good sandwich (in the Brightleaf District). There are plenty of more upscale restaurants, too. The food is really pretty good.

I'd also recommend going on a walk to West Campus (Duke's main undergrad campus) because it's absolutely beautiful and the med school interview tour won't take you there. You can also kill some time shopping on Ninth Street, with a bunch of coffee shop/bookstore/boutique type places. You should also explore downtown; the American Tobacco Campus is cool.

Also, literally of these things I just mentioned are easily accessible by the Bull City Connector, Durham's free bus route, that runs in a loop straight from the Medical Center (close to where your interviews are held) down to Ninth Street, Brightleaf, and further Downtown. I feel like I sound like an excessive advertisement, but Durham really is underrated. Feel free to PM me if you want specific advice on things to do!

 

[cyang]

Poured my heart and soul into this secondary....really hoping for an interview!

 

[ArtnScience]

New to SDN and last-minute US applicant. Just working on this secondary now. 33/3.96. Broadly speaking, any point in submitting at this point? I know Duke doesn't technically do rolling admissions but can chances nevertheless be lower at this stage?

 

[Okazaki Frag Grenade]

New to SDN and last-minute US applicant. Just working on this secondary now. 33/3.96. Broadly speaking, any point in submitting at this point? I know Duke doesn't technically do rolling admissions but can chances nevertheless be lower at this stage?

Quote from their website:

After receiving the application materials from AMCAS, our admissions office will contact via email you and invite you to complete our on-line supplemental application, which should be completed no later than November 1.

 

[p0gono]

Quote from their website:

After receiving the application materials from AMCAS, our admissions office will contact via email you and invite you to complete our on-line supplemental application, which should be completed no later than November 1.

Strange...their e-mail said Nov 15

 

[Okazaki Frag Grenade]

Strange...their e-mail said Nov 15

Oh haha

 

[ArtnScience]

Oh haha

Yup haha officially it's Nov 15, but still, any comments on my original question?

 

[RuggerMD]

Yup haha officially it's Nov 15, but still, any comments on my original question?

Very few people on SDN are ADCOMs. No one can really tell you your chances with any sort of certainty because this process is nonlinear. Go with your gut, because no one will be able to answer that question besides your reviewer at Duke.

 

[bearintraining]

So I finally submitted the secondary last minute... I know, I know.. but I figured what the hell, can't lose much.

 

[bearintraining]

Yup haha officially it's Nov 15, but still, any comments on my original question?

My understanding from their website is they specifically advise people to submit early. It is somewhere on the secondary page. Anyway, I did the same as you and submitted about 40 mins before the deadline. Good luck

 

[ArtnScience]

My understanding from their website is they specifically advise people to submit early. It is somewhere on the secondary page. Anyway, I did the same as you and submitted about 40 mins before the deadline. Good luck

I actually decided to drop it and submit a couple others in its place. Best of luck to you!

 

[dfgyz230]

Can anyone that interviewed here confirm there is no traditional interview session? From what I see there is only the 80 minute MMI session, so should I not prepare for a typical 1 on 1 scenario with traditional questions and discussion of my application?

edited because I didn't mean to ask about specific questions being asked at the interview

 

[Deel323]

.

 

[bearintraining]

.. ignore

 

[Australopithekus]

Information pertaining to specific MMI stations should not be discussed, especially in a public forum. Consider who might be reading.

 

[Deel323]

.

 

[LeftyLadyDoc]

Does Duke have a "maybe" pile? My app has been "application screening" since August....

 

[fitness_as_medicine]

Does Duke have a "maybe" pile? My app has been "application screening" since August....

+1

 

[waytogo1]

Does Duke have a "maybe" pile? My app has been "application screening" since August....

+2

 

[bobmccorweg]

Does Duke have a "maybe" pile? My app has been "application screening" since August....

+3

 

[Krabbeman]

Does Duke have a "maybe" pile? My app has been "application screening" since August....

+4

 

[Pastamahn]

If I have a question regarding the course prerequisites, what would be the best way to contact Duke regarding this? I have emailed the admissions office twice with no response.

 

[rocklobstr]

So if I have the option of turning my interview into a small 3 day trip in Durham in December, is there enough to do to fill all the time? I'm not familiar with the city.

I wish I could stay here for 3 days

 

[Pastamahn]

I wish I could stay here for 3 days

So you like the area?

 

[phuynh94]

So uh...how cold is Durham in mid-December? For reference, I'm, from SoCal.

 

[happyhippo1958]

http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/durham-nc/27701/january-weather/329821

So cold in cali terms. But think of the awesome cute sweaters you can actually justify wearing now! 😛

So uh...how cold is Durham in mid-December? For reference, I'm, from SoCal.

 

[deleted393595]

If I have a question regarding the course prerequisites, what would be the best way to contact Duke regarding this? I have emailed the admissions office twice with no response.

Give them a phone call. Imho, it takes them a very, very long time for them to respond to emails.

 

[Pastamahn]

Does anyone here know much about the cell bio requirement? Do you need to take a class specifically on cell bio, or can you complete the prerequisite through other classes?

 

[Pastamahn]

Give them a phone call. Imho, it takes them a very, very long time for them to respond to emails.

Ended up giving them a call yesterday but wasn't too helpful, unfortunately.

 

[deleted393595]

Ended up giving them a call yesterday but wasn't too helpful, unfortunately.

In that case, send a followup email a few days later, or talk to them in person during your interview day.

 

[that's bad mmkay]

Anyone know if they're still giving out IIs? They were one of those schools that warned against applying late...

 

[atp6nd5]

Anyone know if they're still giving out IIs? They were one of those schools that warned against applying late...

at an info session for the school I went to, they said they interview until the end of February. Probably doesn't completely answer your question but that's the info I have

 

[deleted393595]

Anyone know if they're still giving out IIs? They were one of those schools that warned against applying late...

When I got my II a few months back, all the December slots were already gone. So idk how many slots are still left.

 

[bearintraining]

When I got my II a few months back, all the December slots were already gone. So idk how many slots are still left.

Gone or blocked off?

 

[deleted393595]

Gone or blocked off?

Gone. But they might have added more interview dates in December, so idk.

 

[PureGRIT]

Heard that they were done giving them out from a fourth year student. But spots open up as the cycle progresses and many have been given interviews in like January.

 

[deleted393595]

Heard that they were done giving them out from a fourth year student. But spots open up as the cycle progresses and many have been given interviews in like January.

I understand the angst on this thread that y'all feel. It takes a very long time to put the secondary for Duke together, and I really wish that they offered students more time to complete it.

 

[PlatinumBody]

How many does Duke typically interview and out of that group, how many get accepted?

 

[Pastamahn]

How many does Duke typically interview and out of that group, how many get accepted?

Last year they interviewed about 363 and 94 matriculated OOS according to MSAR. Not sure about how many they actually accept and how many matriculants are from straight up acceptances and how many from wait list.

 

[PlatinumBody]

Last year they interviewed about 363 and 94 matriculated OOS according to MSAR. Not sure about how many they actually accept and how many matriculants are from straight up acceptances and how many from wait list.

Only 94 matriculated? Seems like you have a pretty good chance of getting in if you get interviewed though

 

[Pastamahn]

Only 94 matriculated? Seems like you have a pretty good chance of getting in if you get interviewed though

94 OOS, and then I'm gonna guess maybe 20-30 in state matriculated? They have a pretty small class size. But it does seem like a pretty good post interview acceptance rate. Anyone in this thread know anymore about this info?

 

[2018Duke]

I think those numbers are off. As far as I know, we interview around 650-700 and end up accepting around 200-250 for a class size of 115. Just what I remember - the only thing I'm 100% sure about is the class size of 115, and that is expected to stay the same for future classes.

 

[Pastamahn]

I think those numbers are off. As far as I know, we interview around 650-700 and end up accepting around 200-250 for a class size of 115. Just what I remember - the only thing I'm 100% sure about is the class size of 115, and that is expected to stay the same for future classes.

So MSAR is at least 250 off for the amount of people interviewed?

 

[Australopithekus]

I was told ~750 interviews, ~250 acceptances (including waitlisters), class size of 115.

 

[Pastamahn]

I was told ~750 interviews, ~250 acceptances (including waitlisters), class size of 115.

Huh, that's weird MSAR is that off

 

[CellPowerhouse]

Are y'all still talking about just OOS or the overall pool? I think that might be why the numbers seem off, I was confused too then I read back and @Pastamahn was talking about OOS numbers alone from the MSAR.

Edit: MSAR says overall it's 440 interviewed, 109 accepted.

 

[Pastamahn]

Are y'all still talking about just OOS or the overall pool? I think that might be why the numbers seem off, I was confused too then I read back and @Pastamahn was talking about OOS numbers alone from the MSAR.

In state only adds 44 interviews, though, so the numbers are still pretty off. But I did start off just talking about OOS.

 

[Lost in Translation]

Broad question but what can I expect from the interview day?

 

[Syns]

Broad question but what can I expect from the interview day?

Something similar to the following:

A welcoming statement
A word or two about financial aid
Blocked time: [Tour/lunch OR MMI (then switch)]
Closing statement