2015-2016 Duke University Application Thread

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Lost in Translation said:
For those of you who are M3s, what do you do during that year? I've been trying to get info from the website but it's not super helpful.
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Not an M3, but I know a few. Most do clinical, translational, or basic science research at Duke. Some do a second degree (MPH & MBA being the most popular). Others do research at another institution, either in the U.S., or abroad. Others are involved in community or global health projects. I know of one person who started a business. There's a lot of flexibility; you basically just have to be doing something academic to write and present on.
 
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Thanks for the info! Good to know there's a degree of flexibility.
 
So I know people have been saying that they were rejected because they saw a blue banner that said so when they signed in bbbuuuuut mine says that my application has been forwarded to the admissions committee and that all decisions will be communicated via email so I'm wondering if they always update the portal with rejections... Any thoughts?
 
I know this is a picky question, but is there any benefit/hurt to attending or not attending the social event that is held the night before the interview?
 
Okazaki Frag Grenade said:
I know this is a picky question, but is there any benefit/hurt to attending or not attending the social event that is held the night before the interview?
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It depends.

I found it to be a good opportunity to get comfortable with the other applicants. With the MMI schedule, I felt like there was a lot less time spent on our own to chat, so getting comfortable with the other applicants was nice and also a good introduction to the type of students Duke is interested in. Also, one of the faculty members came with us and gave us some reassurances about the MMI structure and the interview day in general. That, obviously, was great, but I felt like it was mostly beneficial because Duke was my first interview. It might not be as valuable if you're later in the interview game.

On the other hand, we didn't get out until after 9, meaning I got back to my hotel room kind of late. And since we went to a coffee shop, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a bit wired from the caffeine.

All in all, I think it's worth going if it's your first MMI and don't think your time is better spent preparing on your own. But if you're far into your interview season, it might not be so valuable that you have to go if you're leaning toward a quiet night in.
 
My app's been complete since 8/10 and they're still reviewing... should I be expecting a rejection soon?
 
Okazaki Frag Grenade said:
I know this is a picky question, but is there any benefit/hurt to attending or not attending the social event that is held the night before the interview?
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I think it's very valuable. The pre-interview social offers a much more relaxed atmosphere to learn about the school than the interview does. My Duke interview day was a blur, but I remember hanging out with students the night before much more clearly, and I feel that I learned much more about the school from them than I did from talking to students the following afternoon.

Also, I'm pretty sure we aren't doing the coffee shop any more this year. Come enjoy Durham's finest ice cream with some cool current students!
 
Has any one applied PCLT but is still under screening?? 🙁
 
Okazaki Frag Grenade said:
I know this is a picky question, but is there any benefit/hurt to attending or not attending the social event that is held the night before the interview?
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I interviewed a while ago and I wish that I had been able to go to the social! The interview day at Duke was wonderful in almost every way imaginable but I remember leaving wishing that I had more time to talk to more of the current students. I am sure that the number of students that stop by to talk to the students interviewing varies by interview day but I did not have as much of an opportunity to talk to students one-on-one quite as much as I would've liked to! Also, getting an interview invite to Duke is awesome and I think you should try and make the most of the experience as possible! Best of luck at your interview!
[wow, I use way to many exclamation points online]
 
PlatinumBody said:
Yeah I was pretty surprised too. I almost didn't even submit my application since it was the last day, but I decided why not take a shot
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there something really salient with your app, like a dean's letter or something? Malala Yousafzai's recommendation? ha ha ha
 
PlatinumBody said:
Honestly nothing special. I was just as surprised as you probably are
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I believe Duke has a few applicant screeners that have a really fast turnaround for applicants with high stats. Two people I know had turn arounds of less than 48 hours. Others, even with good stats, have been waiting for a long time.
 
Xenith said:
I believe Duke has a few applicant screeners that have a really fast turnaround for applicants with high stats. Two people I know had turn arounds of less than 48 hours. Others, even with good stats, have been waiting for a long time.
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I suppose, but my stats are average for Duke, certainly not high so idk...can't complain though i guess lol
 
magagna said:
Is Duke receptive to ITA emails?
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There really isn't a consensus on this. Dr. Yee said you can but if its 2 weeks after your interview, your file is pretty much closed till a final review of your placement on the list is revisited. That's just what we were told at the end of our day. Hope it helps!
 
Is Duke pretty much done sending out IIs? If I remember correctly, a month ago they were interviewing into January.. 🙁
 
sunshine02 said:
Is Duke pretty much done sending out IIs? If I remember correctly, a month ago they were interviewing into January.. 🙁
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Not sure exactly how many they'll still send out but I know they interview up through the end of February (at least close to the end)
 
PakiMDDreamer said:
there something really salient with your app, like a dean's letter or something? Malala Yousafzai's recommendation? ha ha ha
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I submitted my application on a Sunday night and received a II the next day, Monday afternoon. My stats are not exactly the highest either, but I got the feeling that the Duke application process is very focused on essay responses on the secondary.
 
happyhippo1958 said:
I submitted my application on a Sunday night and received a II the next day, Monday afternoon. My stats are not exactly the highest either, but I got the feeling that the Duke application process is very focused on essay responses on the secondary.
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Congrats! What is your LizzyM?
 
Any communication from Duke regarding next week's interviews? I was hoping to hear about the social event. Heard it was really worth going to!
 
wavvvvvves123 said:
II!!!!! oh my god. What with me submitting this secondary at the very last second and having a LizzyM of 69-70 (GPA well below Duke's average), i would have never seen this coming. at all. I am absolutely thrilled, but i do not want to get my hopes up. I cannot believe I have a shot at matriculating here....
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I'm starting to wish I waited till the last minute to send in the secondary now...It appears whoever is reviewing last minute submissions makes rather quick decisions. Been complete since mid August and radio silence...
 
fitness_as_medicine said:
I'm starting to wish I waited till the last minute to send in the secondary now...It appears whoever is reviewing last minute submissions makes rather quick decisions. Been complete since mid August and radio silence...
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I was also complete mid August, lived in complete silence, then received an II on Monday 12/7. Don't lose hope.
 
Pastamahn said:
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.
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I have the same issue. It's been a week and I still have no response from them about a course question
 
Dr. Bananarama said:
I have the same issue. It's been a week and I still have no response from them about a course question
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Yeah I've called 3 times and emailed them 3 times over the course of two months now with no answer. I ended up having to enroll in courses around their prereqs and ended up missing out on classes I really wanted to take because of it.
 
Pastamahn said:
Yeah I've called 3 times and emailed them 3 times over the course of two months now with no answer. I ended up having to enroll in courses around their prereqs and ended up missing out on classes I really wanted to take because of it.
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I don't have the time to dig through my posts for this, but Duke specifically replied to my email emphasizing that they don't have course requirements. They have required "competencies" that may be fulfilled outside the classroom. As someone who has already graduated, I hope they really honor what they wrote, because while I would ABSOLUTELY love an acceptance from them, I would be bummed to receive an email telling me to take XX course over the summer.
 
phuynh94 said:
I don't have the time to dig through my posts for this, but Duke specifically replied to my email emphasizing that they don't have course requirements. They have required "competencies" that may be fulfilled outside the classroom. As someone who has already graduated, I hope they really honor what they wrote, because while I would ABSOLUTELY love an acceptance from them, I would be bummed to receive an email telling me to take XX course over the summer.
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I thought they slightly changed it from competencies to required classes? That's what I took away from their website.
 
This may have been answered before but does anyone know when Duke stops giving out interview invites? Thanks!
 
springly said:
This may have been answered before but does anyone know when Duke stops giving out interview invites? Thanks!
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I think February 18th is their last interview date (iirc...someone can chime in if I'm wrong). And when I scheduled my interview this week, they had dates in the last couple of days in January so there's still hope!!!!
 
phuynh94 said:
I don't have the time to dig through my posts for this, but Duke specifically replied to my email emphasizing that they don't have course requirements. They have required "competencies" that may be fulfilled outside the classroom. As someone who has already graduated, I hope they really honor what they wrote, because while I would ABSOLUTELY love an acceptance from them, I would be bummed to receive an email telling me to take XX course over the summer.
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That is true that they don't require you to take specific classes like two semesters of inorganic chemistry, one semester of calculus I, two semesters of physics, etc. They want to see you take classes that teach chemistry, biology, biochem, statistics, etc. They do this because the differences across universities makes it difficult to compare exactly what's taught in biology/chemistry/physics/etc. at one school to another.
I'm in the same boat, I would love to be accepted at Duke, but I would like a heads up if I need to make up a course requirement.
Here's a link for their "academic expectations" https://medschool.duke.edu/educatio...ions/admissions-process/academic-expectations
 
What's the cheapest way to get to the Duke hospital area from the airport?
 
Okay, long time lurker here. For those of you applying to PCLT, what was the phone interview like? About how long after your MMI did they call you for the interview? Also, did anyone get information on interview day about the program? I guess the person who usually does it was sick when I interviewed.
¡Muchas gracias!
 
Have silent rejections still been going out on people's portals?
 
It seems like the first massive wave of rejections came in January for those still under "screening"
 
I'm assuming Duke doesn't accept pre-II updates? Can anyone confirm?

Edit: Saw that some people have sent pre-II updates via e-mail with success... I guess I'll give it a shot.
 
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horcruxxx said:
I'm assuming Duke doesn't accept pre-II updates? Can anyone confirm?

Edit: Saw that some people have sent pre-II updates via e-mail with success... I guess I'll give it a shot.
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Sent two so far (about a month apart) and received confirmation that they've been added to my file a week or so later for each.
 
soswim said:
II here earlier this week, only available day was the last day offered 2/18/16. complete mid-October.
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So...does this mean that there won't be anymore interviews unless someone cancels?

Edit: judging from last year's thread Duke was still giving out IIs until late January, but the dates were also mid Feb.
 
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