2016-2017 Duke University Application Thread

[ChilliT]

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Hey everyone!

A current MS1 just dropping in to wish you all luck! If you have any questions at all, let me know! My roommate and I (also an MSI) are open and willing to help.

 

[PurpleDevil94]

I feel like there haven't been as many IIs given out by this time as there were last year...

 

[generotti21]

II yesterday morning! 🙂 was psyched pretty much all day haha

from what i remember interview days were on mondays and thursdays all of october. a few might not be featured not 100% sure.

When did you complete?

 

[mdapp2021]

When did you complete?

mid-August. I actually was really surprised with the turnaround since all my letters weren't even up until last week.

 

[mdapp2021]

Hey everyone!

A current MS1 just dropping in to wish you all luck! If you have any questions at all, let me know! My roommate and I (also an MSI) are open and willing to help.

thanks for dropping in! could you maybe talk about your personal experience (or people you know) has been with finding or at least being able to access research opportunities during the first year?

 

[stargazerlily1990]

Does anyone who has traveled around here or who is from the area know if a 6 PM flight after the interview is too early? The interview day ends around 3:30 🙂

 

[feather_dream]

deleted

 

[myboysiddartha]

My friend wants to apply here, but she has a 514? I noticed the averages for most MD schools has DROPPED with the new MCAT and wondering if it was worth a shot for someone with really great ECs

I would apply. Keep in mind, the averages for the new MCAT are based on a relatively small sample size and, on MSAR at least, are based on all applicants to the school, not just those accepted. It is hard to base it solely upon MCAT score, but I would say a 514 with solid ECs is definitely worth a shot. I wouldn't put too much stock in the dropped average at the moment though.

 

[ChilliT]

thanks for dropping in! could you maybe talk about your personal experience (or people you know) has been with finding or at least being able to access research opportunities during the first year?

No problem! So there's ample access to research opportunities here, however because of Duke's condensed first year curriculum and dedicated third year for research you're not required at all to do research. A lot of our lecturers do really cool research and if you're interested it's easy to talk to them after class and get involved. They're very approachable! You can potentially get involved in small projects or inquire about working with them during your third year.

But again I'll emphasize the fact that you really aren't pressured to do research during your first year or the summer after your first year.

 

[bluedevil5126]

Does anyone who has traveled around here or who is from the area know if a 6 PM flight after the interview is too early? The interview day ends around 3:30 🙂

Airport is about 20 minutes from the medical campus. I can't predict airport security lines but I can give you what insight I do have. Terminal 1 is Southwest primarily and is hardly ever crowded. Terminal 2, where most airport traffic goes through, has longer lines but the longest wait I've ever experienced going through security was ~20-25 minutes maximum. Provided your interview ends on time, you should be golden. Ubers are plentiful too. The RDU taxi is a ripoff.

 

[Lrnq]

Does anyone who has traveled around here or who is from the area know if a 6 PM flight after the interview is too early? The interview day ends around 3:30 🙂

As long as it isn't rush hour, it should just take you 20-30 minutes to get to the airport, so as long as you're comfortable getting to the airport at around 4pm for a 6pm flight, you should be good! If you end up doing a later flight, keep in mind that traffic can get bad around rush hour, as there are a lot of commuters in the Raleigh-Durham area.

 

[stargazerlily1990]

Airport is about 20 minutes from the medical campus. I can't predict airport security lines but I can give you what insight I do have. Terminal 1 is Southwest primarily and is hardly ever crowded. Terminal 2, where most airport traffic goes through, has longer lines but the longest wait I've ever experienced going through security was ~20-25 minutes maximum. Provided your interview ends on time, you should be golden. Ubers are plentiful too. The RDU taxi is a ripoff.

As long as it isn't rush hour, it should just take you 20-30 minutes to get to the airport, so as long as you're comfortable getting to the airport at around 4pm for a 6pm flight, you should be good! If you end up doing a later flight, keep in mind that traffic can get bad around rush hour, as there are a lot of commuters in the Raleigh-Durham area.

Thank you!!! Much appreciated! 🙂

 

[premedicalstudent]

How long did it take you guys to complete Duke's secondary? 2 weeks? 3 weeks?

 

[RightTwix]

How long did it take you guys to complete Duke's secondary? 2 weeks? 3 weeks?

I waited for 2 weeks (Submitted mid-July), but I wrote the whole thing in an afternoon. I was initially really intimidated by how much writing there was, so I focused on the other ones I had instead.

 

[aafhem]

How long did it take you guys to complete Duke's secondary? 2 weeks? 3 weeks?

took me exactly two weeks, working on it almost everyday but i know people who have whipped it out in like two days. i easily get writer's block though

 

[premedicalstudent]

I waited for 2 weeks (Submitted mid-July), but I wrote the whole thing in an afternoon. I was initially really intimidated by how much writing there was, so I focused on the other ones I had instead.

😳

In one afternoon? Wow!!
You must have pre-written or seen the essay prompts ahead of time, no?

 

[premedicalstudent]

I officially submitted Duke's secondary yesterday...also did it in 2 weeks (even though they sent it on August 4th and it went straight to my spam box)

 

[premedicalstudent]

II yesterday morning! 🙂 was psyched pretty much all day haha

from what i remember interview days were on mondays and thursdays all of october. a few might not be featured not 100% sure.

Do you think your secondary stats appealed to them or your academic/numerical stats?

 

[RightTwix]

😳

In one afternoon? Wow!!
You must have pre-written or seen the essay prompts ahead of time, no?

I probably should have been more reasonable about it and done that, but I just freaked out that day when other people were getting interviews and I hadn't even submitted 😱 Then, I just made myself finally write it. It takes me forever to get writing, but once I do it comes out onto the page really easily. I wrote 3 from scratch and used the same ideas from two essays I had written before, but expanded on them a lot to fit Duke. What really took the longest for me was editing the essays down and fine-tuning them.

 

[mdapp2021]

Do you think your secondary stats appealed to them or your academic/numerical stats?

idk my stats are basically at duke's acceptance averages and my extracurriculars are cool but not at the level of people with like olympic medals. I felt like I had really strong essays so maybe that made a difference? could've been something in my reference letters too but obv can't see those to really know

 

[premedicalstudent]

.

 

[alpha-GTP]

How long did it take you guys to complete Duke's secondary? 2 weeks? 3 weeks?

1 morning/afternoon. Prewriting is the best.😛

 

[Panther_]

How long did it take you guys to complete Duke's secondary? 2 weeks? 3 weeks?

Took me 2 and a half weeks.

 

[Iwannaknow]

1 morning/afternoon. Prewriting is the best.😛

It also took me this long once I started writing. I put it off for 2.5 weeks though.

 

[alpha-GTP]

It also took me this long once I started writing. I put it off for 2.5 weeks though.

If you didn't rewrite, I'm impressed. I don't think that I could finish that thing in one day if someone locked me in a room with 5 lbs of adderall.

 

[Iwannaknow]

If you didn't rewrite, I'm impressed. I don't think that I could finish that thing in one day if someone locked me in a room with 5 lbs of adderall.

Well like 3/5 I already had pretty good answers for. I just added some detail and got it to the limit. So that knocked it in half. The other 2 I just wrote like 1-2 paragraphs for. Then I had someone edit them and I submitted! And it worked out! I really wasn't expecting Duke at all, so I just said screw it and just wrote really sincerely and not flowery at all. I divulged some deep issues for me, which I normally wouldn't do. But, I think that's exactly what they want.

 

[premedicalstudent]

1 morning/afternoon. Prewriting is the best.😛

wow 😱

 

[premedicalstudent]

Took me 2 and a half weeks.

same!

 

[premedicalstudent]

any new II's from Duke or anyone who submitted secondary around September 1st?

 

[ScrubsnScalpels]

any new II's from Duke or anyone who submitted secondary around September 1st?

I submitted my secondary on August 31

Edit: JK, read this question as an either/or. No II as of yet

 

[OSUndisputed]

Does anyone know if we can submit updates to Duke like other schools? I have a new letter I would like to send only to Duke (PI is MD/PhD from Duke) and I would like to know if that is an option.

 

[alcoholdehydrogenase69]

Does anyone know if we can submit updates to Duke like other schools? I have a new letter I would like to send only to Duke (PI is MD/PhD from Duke) and I would like to know if that is an option.

I just sent an update via email the other day, although I am not sure if adding an additional letter of rec is a option through those means. I would call them to make sure


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[greatjoe4life]

I submitted my secondary on August 31

Did you get an II?

 

[Boggle2019]

Anyone know what to wear to the "social" the night before the interview?

 

[wordisbondson]

Anyone know what to wear to the "social" the night before the interview?

Im going casual. Excited to meet a sdn person irl


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[namaste08]

Hey everyone!

A current MS1 just dropping in to wish you all luck! If you have any questions at all, let me know! My roommate and I (also an MSI) are open and willing to help.

Hi!
I have an interview at Duke on Monday- just wondering if you have any tips about the day that surprised you or anything else- I know the format is an MMI, so you can't share specific questions, but how was the day overall? High/ low stress? Also, do you feel incredibly stressed learning what most other students learn over two years in just one? I love the idea of having the opportunity to pursue more in-depth research during the third year, but a condensed curriculum during year one is a little daunting...
Thanks in advance!

 

[namaste08]

Im going casual. Excited to meet a sdn person irl


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

Going semi-casual... aka not a suit but a nice dress... maybe see ya'll at the social!

 

[ChilliT]

Hi!
I have an interview at Duke on Monday- just wondering if you have any tips about the day that surprised you or anything else- I know the format is an MMI, so you can't share specific questions, but how was the day overall? High/ low stress? Also, do you feel incredibly stressed learning what most other students learn over two years in just one? I love the idea of having the opportunity to pursue more in-depth research during the third year, but a condensed curriculum during year one is a little daunting...
Thanks in advance!

Yayyy! Congrats on your interview. Its the first interview day of the year!

I think I was surprised about how much I actually enjoyed the interview day and MMI process. If it's like last year you'll start off with breakfast (with some current students there!) and an introduction to Duke from Dr. Armstrong, who is amazing and sets a great tone. During breakfast if there are students there, be sure to take advantage and ask us anything - people are friendly and open if you have any questions. Duke was my first and only MMI so I was definitely nervous going in, but once you get started it's pretty fun. I explain it to someone else as like a game show with mystery doors lol. It's also a great set up, structured so that if you're not as strong on one station, its not the end of the world and you have many other chances to make up for it - what happens at one station doesn't impact the next. Go in with a bit of confidence and you'll definitely rock it!

As someone who was never great at hard sciences, I was afraid that the condensed curriculum wasn't for me. The pace is quick but I'm really really happy with my choice. It can be challenging however with the pass/fail system and the immense support here (from other students, sharing notes and study materials; accessible professors; and free tutors) it's easy to do well! Just next year I'll be out of the classroom and into the hospital, where I'll really be able to learn and gain clinical skills. And for third year I'm free to do research I'm interested in or get a dual degree. A unique but great set up.

Feel free to message me if you have any other questions. Good luck!

P.S. You can keep it casual for the social. Come in whatever you're comfy in 🙂

 

[namaste08]

Yayyy! Congrats on your interview. Its the first interview day of the year!

I think I was surprised about how much I actually enjoyed the interview day and MMI process. If it's like last year you'll start off with breakfast (with some current students there!) and an introduction to Duke from Dr. Armstrong, who is amazing and sets a great tone. During breakfast if there are students there, be sure to take advantage and ask us anything - people are friendly and open if you have any questions. Duke was my first and only MMI so I was definitely nervous going in, but once you get started it's pretty fun. I explain it to someone else as like a game show with mystery doors lol. It's also a great set up, structured so that if you're not as strong on one station, its not the end of the world and you have many other chances to make up for it - what happens at one station doesn't impact the next. Go in with a bit of confidence and you'll definitely rock it!

As someone who was never great at hard sciences, I was afraid that the condensed curriculum wasn't for me. The pace is quick but I'm really really happy with my choice. It can be challenging however with the pass/fail system and the immense support here (from other students, sharing notes and study materials; accessible professors; and free tutors) it's easy to do well! Just next year I'll be out of the classroom and into the hospital, where I'll really be able to learn and gain clinical skills. And for third year I'm free to do research I'm interested in or get a dual degree. A unique but great set up.

Feel free to message me if you have any other questions. Good luck!

P.S. You can keep it casual for the social. Come in whatever you're comfy in 🙂

Thank you so much, this makes me feel much more relaxed and prepared! This is my second MMI, but a presentation I watched about Duke MMIs seems a lot more intense than the one I attended a couple of weeks ago- so this makes me feel a lot better 🙂
I am so excited to see the campus and meet everyone!

 

[dguirg95]

Interview on the 29th of September! I'm super excited, Duke has always been my dream school, but with a GPA of just 3.6 I wasn't sure I had a chance. Can't wait to see the school and meet the faculty! Any tips for the interview?

Also for reference, LizzyM is 73, completed secondary late July

 

[lovecats]

Anyone get a rejection email yet? Do you know when they start sending rejections out?

 

[HIV]

Anyone get a rejection email yet? Do you know when they start sending rejections out?

They do silent rejections. You have to check your portal and it will update with notification of rejection. I think last years thread shows the first silent rejections sometime in September.

 

[premedicalstudent]

They do silent rejections. You have to check your portal and it will update with notification of rejection. I think last years thread shows the first silent rejections sometime in September.

O_O

Lord help me.

 

[dguirg95]

Anyone else interviewing on the 29th?! Im super excited to see the school. Duke is a dream school

 

[sxullf]

I am. I am excited as well. See you then.

 

[watermelon16]

Hi everyone, this is my first post on this forum ever! I was wondering if anyone else's portal page had a notice that starts with "We encourage you to consider completing the DukeMed Supplemental Application even though your GPA or MCAT score may be below what is typical for DukeMed. etc. etc." I noticed it today randomly--and I'm not sure if this is a new notice or if it's been there this whole time, and I just didn't bother to read it (I know I'm the worst).

The thing is (not to sound presumptuous), but I'm fairly certainly my statistics do not fall "below what is typical for DukeMed." My LizzyM score (which I calculated for the first time just now!) is a 78.

I'm posting to ask if all applicants' pages feature this message, because otherwise I might call to make sure they have my application statistics correct. I wouldn't be too surprised if I was on my way to a rejection because I know Duke is an extremely competitive medical school, but I don't think it would be based on my scores, which are pretty solid. Just wanted to check before I potentially make a fool of myself by calling!

 

[mysankofa]

Hi everyone, this is my first post on this forum ever! I was wondering if anyone else's portal page had a notice that starts with "We encourage you to consider completing the DukeMed Supplemental Application even though your GPA or MCAT score may be below what is typical for DukeMed. etc. etc." I noticed it today randomly--and I'm not sure if this is a new notice or if it's been there this whole time, and I just didn't bother to read it (I know I'm the worst).

The thing is (not to sound presumptuous), but I'm fairly certainly my statistics do not fall "below what is typical for DukeMed." My LizzyM score (which I calculated for the first time just now!) is a 78.

I'm posting to ask if all applicants' pages feature this message, because otherwise I might call to make sure they have my application statistics correct. I wouldn't be too surprised if I was on my way to a rejection because I know Duke is an extremely competitive medical school, but I don't think it would be based on my scores, which are pretty solid. Just wanted to check before I potentially make a fool of myself by calling!

everyone has this, lol. the same message is in the secondary email.

 

[watermelon16]

everyone has this, lol. the same message is in the secondary email.

Ok, thanks for clearing that up 😛 I feel silly now haha

 

[kdirnfueu]

something tells me there's no way duke's median/average/whatever MCAT2015 was 513 lol

 

[Skittsie13]

something tells me there's no way duke's median/average/whatever MCAT2015 was 513 lol

No, I think it's real. I think they made a big mistake last year in interpreting the new MCAT. I'm just wondering how it bodes for this year's applicants/those with old MCAT scores.