2018-2019 Duke University School of Medicine

[Lucca]

1. Tell us more about who you are. You may provide additional information that expands your self-identity where gender identification, racial and/or ethnic self description, geographic origin, socioeconomic, academic, and/or other characteristics that define who you are as you contemplate a career that will interface with people who are similar AND dissimilar to you. You will have the opportunity below to tell us how you wish to be addressed, recognized and treated. 500 words

2. (Optional) In addition to the broad categorization of race, ethnicity, geographic origin, socioeconomic status as provided through your AMCAS application, you may use the text box below to provide additional clarifying information that may reflect the impact of any of these parameters on your development thus far as well as the impact that these may have had on your path to a career in medicine and your plans for the future. 200 words

3. Describe the community in which you were nurtured or spent the majority of your early development with respect to its demographics. What core values did you receive and how will these translate into the contributions that you hope to make to your community as a medical student and to your career in medicine? What improvements do you think might make the described community better? 500 words

4. Describe a situation where you have chosen to advocate for someone who is different from yourself. What does advocacy mean to you and how has your advocacy developed? How do you see it linked to your role as a physician/leader? What risks, if any, might be associated with your choice to be an advocate? 500 words

5. What has been your most humbling experience and how will that experience affect your interactions with your peers and patients? 500 words

6. Describe a situation where you failed. What did you learn from the experience? Describe at least one functional impact of the experience. 500 words

7. Critical thinking involves many aspects including curiosity, comprehension, application and analysis. Describe a time when you have utilized critical thinking. How do you anticipate critical thinking being used as part of your career? 400 words

8. Many view medical care as an undeniable right. What responsibility does the medical profession have in taking care of all persons? 400 words

9. (Optional) Please let us know of any additional information that you would like us to consider while reviewing your application:

Good luck to everyone applying!

Interview Feedback: Duke University School of Medicine

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[anaminmasar]

Hey all - I am a student who was accepted to Duke this past cycle and will be matriculating in fall of 2019 after deferring for a year. Therefore, some of us might be classmates one day!

Obviously, my experience with Duke is a bit limited as I am not a student yet, but I would be happy to answer questions about the application process, "why Duke," etc. I'm super fired up about this place and hope I can be of some small help to you as you apply to DukeMed.

I wish each of you the best as you move forward through this application cycle. Do your best to not lose yourself in this process - it can be really soul-sucking. Exercise, stay connected with people, maintain hobbies...do whatever you can to stay healthy and positive.

And, enjoy the essays Someone (on this forum, I believe) said, "Duke's secondary will either kill you or make you a better person." There is a reason they are so in-depth, for admissions really wants to see the kind of person that you are. So, have fun writing and see them as an opportunity to perhaps learn something new about yourself!

 

[MC_Infarction]

^^ 2nding everything above. I’m a rising MS2 and am happy to answer questions either via this thread or PM.

 

[LAIsTheBestPlaceEver]

Hey all - I am a student who was accepted to Duke this past cycle and will be matriculating in fall of 2019 after deferring for a year. Therefore, some of us might be classmates one day!

Obviously, my experience with Duke is a bit limited as I am not a student yet, but I would be happy to answer questions about the application process, "why Duke," etc. I'm super fired up about this place and hope I can be of some small help to you as you apply to DukeMed.

I wish each of you the best as you move forward through this application cycle. Do your best to not lose yourself in this process - it can be really soul-sucking. Exercise, stay connected with people, maintain hobbies...do whatever you can to stay healthy and positive.

And, enjoy the essays Someone (on this forum, I believe) said, "Duke's secondary will either kill you or make you a better person." There is a reason they are so in-depth, for admissions really wants to see the kind of person that you are. So, have fun writing and see them as an opportunity to perhaps learn something new about yourself!

I thought the research prompt had the same 600 words limit... Spent four days writing and polishing it, then found out it's only 250 words...

 

[dodolol21]

Hey all - I am a student who was accepted to Duke this past cycle and will be matriculating in fall of 2019 after deferring for a year. Therefore, some of us might be classmates one day!

Obviously, my experience with Duke is a bit limited as I am not a student yet, but I would be happy to answer questions about the application process, "why Duke," etc. I'm super fired up about this place and hope I can be of some small help to you as you apply to DukeMed.

I wish each of you the best as you move forward through this application cycle. Do your best to not lose yourself in this process - it can be really soul-sucking. Exercise, stay connected with people, maintain hobbies...do whatever you can to stay healthy and positive.

And, enjoy the essays Someone (on this forum, I believe) said, "Duke's secondary will either kill you or make you a better person." There is a reason they are so in-depth, for admissions really wants to see the kind of person that you are. So, have fun writing and see them as an opportunity to perhaps learn something new about yourself!

Please share what you loved about Duke and why you chose to go there! Also, what is their financial aid like? merit aid? Would love to hear more about your experience this past cycle Thanks

 

[anaminmasar]

Please share what you loved about Duke and why you chose to go there! Also, what is their financial aid like? merit aid? Would love to hear more about your experience this past cycle Thanks

Big questions! I could go on and on but I'l give you a few thinks that tipped me towards Duke as opposed to other places. But, first of all, I'll say this - there are so many fantastic institutions. One can flourish in many ways in countless places. The decision process (like the application process) is tough.

When it comes down to it, if you have the fortune of making choices, I'd say go where you find "your people," are proud - not prideful, there is a difference - to say you attend (due to its mission, values, work, opportunities, etc.), are most fired up about the opportunities there, and sense like you can make a home in its community (this is an intangible thing rooted in a "heart feeling" that is hard to quantify) for your med school years.

So, "why Duke?" First of all, I met some of the most accomplished, yet humble and down to earth people there. Current students bent over backwards to answer my questions, make me feel welcome, and help me get a picture of the DukeMed family. They celebrated with me when I decided to come, and are willing to give me a place to sleep when I pass through the area. Now, I will say that this is not a feature utterly unique to Duke - all over the country in many institutions I met kind and driven people. So, I just know that Duke accept/retains amazing people and fosters an environment where kindness/collegiality is central - just like other stellar places. This was HUGE for me. In fact, a Duke undergrad (who is actually not going to attend Duke for med school due to specific research opportunities at another institution) told me at Second Look , "I don't know how admissions did it, but all the Duke undergrads here at second look are the BEST people - the ones who were fun, hard working, humble, and not cut-throat whatsoever." So, Duke is comprised of some fantastic people who I know will push be to become a fantastic doctor and, frankly, a better person.

On the more practical end, I am drawn to the forward-thinking nature of the curriculum, and the "story" that it tells about Duke as an overall institution. In many ways, Duke University is a "new kid on the block" when looking at its peer institutions - it was only endowed in 1924. As such, it has established itself as a world-leading academic and medical institution in a relatively short amount of time with a tenacity that is really remarkable. This is reflected in the fact that it seeks to push boundaries in areas like the curriculum. A one-year preclinical was unprecedented when Duke first implemented it, and I think that its success is pointed to in the fact that a growing number of institutions (Vandy, Harvard, UMich, etc.) have copied it. I like the fact that they seek to get students into the wards earlier. I am drawn to the research year given my variable interests. So, the curriculum/nature of the institution as a whole is a draw.

Further, I love the fact that the med school is on the undergrad/grad campus (this is rather uncommon in my experience). That means that the divinity school (where I anticipate spending a lot of time when I'm there) is a 10 minute walk from the wards. Further, if you are interested in the sociopolitical determinants of health, you not only have medical faculty/facilities to draw from - you can wander into the Sanford School of Public Policy, School of Law, etc. to explore those realities. In short, you not only have access to a stellar medical facility/training/research - you have the resources of Duke University (and its beautiful campus - great for runs/just getting outside) at your fingertips.

Additionally, I like the "mix" of clinical experiences that Duke provides. For example, Duke University Hospital is a leading referral center where you will be able to treat the most complex of cases from all over the place. The VA in Durham will give you a view into treatment of veterans of all stripes. Its level one trauma center provides an opportunity to engage with a "safety-net" type of environment where the social determinants of health are so often most clear. And, there is a (surprisingly for some) diverse local population that ranges from urban to rural underserved, international, uninsured, and more. There is a tremendously strong emphasis on patient care, and the kind of people I will treat while working in the Duke Health system are the kind of people I know I stand to learn much from - for, the doctor-patient relationship is profoundly reciprocal. I believe spending one's formative years of medicine learning from both complex referrals and a diverse (and often under-resourced) local population is important. This is something that factored heavily in my decision, as I aim to work with underserved populations in the future.

I'll end with this (in case you can't tell, I could continue going!) - I cannot leave out Dean Armstrong. She is a living force. If/when you have the chance to visit Duke, I hope you have the privilege to hear her speak. The fact that someone like her has made Duke her career home speaks volumes about the place, in my opinion. It's not perfect (and they are frank about that), but they are actively seeking to positively contribute to the wellbeing of the local community and the world at large. In short, it's a really remarkable institution.

Regarding financial aid - as far as I know they do a really great job. They did for me (I don't qualify for financial aid from anywhere, but did receive merit aid that made Duke very affordable for me), and I have heard many stories of people who have been very happy with how Duke took care of them! So, I think they're very strong on this end.

I hope that something in this long chunk of text might be useful to you - I am writing it when I'm pretty tired, so many apologies if there is anything unclear. If you have any follow up questions let me know!

 

[anaminmasar]

I thought the research prompt had the same 600 words limit... Spent four days writing and polishing it, then found out it's only 250 words...

Ahhhh not cool! I hope that you were able to narrow it down well :/

 

[dodolol21]

Big questions! I could go on and on but I'l give you a few thinks that tipped me towards Duke as opposed to other places. But, first of all, I'll say this - there are so many fantastic institutions. One can flourish in many ways in countless places. The decision process (like the application process) is tough.

When it comes down to it, if you have the fortune of making choices, I'd say go where you find "your people," are proud - not prideful, there is a difference - to say you attend (due to its mission, values, work, opportunities, etc.), are most fired up about the opportunities there, and sense like you can make a home in its community (this is an intangible thing rooted in a "heart feeling" that is hard to quantify) for your med school years.

So, "why Duke?" First of all, I met some of the most accomplished, yet humble and down to earth people there. Current students bent over backwards to answer my questions, make me feel welcome, and help me get a picture of the DukeMed family. They celebrated with me when I decided to come, and are willing to give me a place to sleep when I pass through the area. Now, I will say that this is not a feature utterly unique to Duke - all over the country in many institutions I met kind and driven people. So, I just know that Duke accept/retains amazing people and fosters an environment where kindness/collegiality is central - just like other stellar places. This was HUGE for me. In fact, a Duke undergrad (who is actually not going to attend Duke for med school due to specific research opportunities at another institution) told me at Second Look , "I don't know how admissions did it, but all the Duke undergrads here at second look are the BEST people - the ones who were fun, hard working, humble, and not cut-throat whatsoever." So, Duke is comprised of some fantastic people who I know will push be to become a fantastic doctor and, frankly, a better person.

On the more practical end, I am drawn to the forward-thinking nature of the curriculum, and the "story" that it tells about Duke as an overall institution. In many ways, Duke University is a "new kid on the block" when looking at its peer institutions - it was only endowed in 1924. As such, it has established itself as a world-leading academic and medical institution in a relatively short amount of time with a tenacity that is really remarkable. This is reflected in the fact that it seeks to push boundaries in areas like the curriculum. A one-year preclinical was unprecedented when Duke first implemented it, and I think that its success is pointed to in the fact that a growing number of institutions (Vandy, Harvard, UMich, etc.) have copied it. I like the fact that they seek to get students into the wards earlier. I am drawn to the research year given my variable interests. So, the curriculum/nature of the institution as a whole is a draw.

Further, I love the fact that the med school is on the undergrad/grad campus (this is rather uncommon in my experience). That means that the divinity school (where I anticipate spending a lot of time when I'm there) is a 10 minute walk from the wards. Further, if you are interested in the sociopolitical determinants of health, you not only have medical faculty/facilities to draw from - you can wander into the Sanford School of Public Policy, School of Law, etc. to explore those realities. In short, you not only have access to a stellar medical facility/training/research - you have the resources of Duke University (and its beautiful campus - great for runs/just getting outside) at your fingertips.

Additionally, I like the "mix" of clinical experiences that Duke provides. For example, Duke University Hospital is a leading referral center where you will be able to treat the most complex of cases from all over the place. The VA in Durham will give you a view into treatment of veterans of all stripes. Its level one trauma center provides an opportunity to engage with a "safety-net" type of environment where the social determinants of health are so often most clear. And, there is a (surprisingly for some) diverse local population that ranges from urban to rural underserved, international, uninsured, and more. There is a tremendously strong emphasis on patient care, and the kind of people I will treat while working in the Duke Health system are the kind of people I know I stand to learn much from - for, the doctor-patient relationship is profoundly reciprocal. I believe spending one's formative years of medicine learning from both complex referrals and a diverse (and often under-resourced) local population is important. This is something that factored heavily in my decision, as I aim to work with underserved populations in the future.

I'll end with this (in case you can't tell, I could continue going!) - I cannot leave out Dean Armstrong. She is a living force. If/when you have the chance to visit Duke, I hope you have the privilege to hear her speak. The fact that someone like her has made Duke her career home speaks volumes about the place, in my opinion. It's not perfect (and they are frank about that), but they are actively seeking to positively contribute to the wellbeing of the local community and the world at large. In short, it's a really remarkable institution.

Regarding financial aid - as far as I know they do a really great job. They did for me (I don't qualify for financial aid from anywhere, but did receive merit aid that made Duke very affordable for me), and I have heard many stories of people who have been very happy with how Duke took care of them! So, I think they're very strong on this end.

I hope that something in this long chunk of text might be useful to you - I am writing it when I'm pretty tired, so many apologies if there is anything unclear. If you have any follow up questions let me know!

Wow, thank you for this extremely awesome and detailed respnse! I feel more motivated for my Duke secondary and hoping for a chance this cycle!

 

[br2pi5]

Just added Duke to my list of schools and I am getting so excited about this upcoming cycle!

 

[wesleysnipes]

This secondary is a monster!

 

[#thriving]

^^ 2nding everything above. I’m a rising MS2 and am happy to answer questions either via this thread or PM.

I do have a question, or concern I guess. It seems like I would really enjoy the atmosphere at Duke and I also have a lot of interests (public health, global health, etc.) that I think I could use the extra time given by the one-year pre-clinical curriculum to explore. However, I'm nervous that the one-year curriculum is too much too fast, what has your experience been like? Also, if I would apply to Duke this cycle I would be doing so as a re-applicant, as I applied there last cycle, but my application has changed a lot and I have changed a lot as a person. Any insight you could give me would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

 

[MC_Infarction]

I do have a question, or concern I guess. It seems like I would really enjoy the atmosphere at Duke and I also have a lot of interests (public health, global health, etc.) that I think I could use the extra time given by the one-year pre-clinical curriculum to explore. However, I'm nervous that the one-year curriculum is too much too fast, what has your experience been like? Also, if I would apply to Duke this cycle I would be doing so as a re-applicant, as I applied there last cycle, but my application has changed a lot and I have changed a lot as a person. Any insight you could give me would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

I have been really happy with the one-year pre-clinical curriculum. It's not without its hiccups, but overall, at this point in the year, it's tough to imagine being in a two-year curriculum. An example of a hiccup: The curriculum can feel slightly rushed at times, such as learning most of the heart pathology in one week. But, I would argue that even in a traditional curriculum, it's going to feel overwhelming/rushed at times, and that a majority of your consolidation and application of your learning is going to come during your clinical years.

It should also be noted that our MS1 year is a little bit longer than most other schools - we're in school through the end of June, and a lot of my friends at other medical schools have been done since the beginning of May. So, we're just shaving like 8 months off of the curriculum.

I would say that, on average, I spend about 40-60 hours a week between mandatory class time, and studying on my own. Of course, the weekends before exams (every two weeks) involve a lot of cramming (this is where I hit the 60 hour mark), but I still find plenty of time to pursue a bunch of extracurriculars that I enjoy.

With regards to your other question, I'm sorry that I can't help out with more specific knowledge about being a reapplicant. I know a couple of people who were reapplicants, and they were obviously accepted, but I don't know their specifics and how they altered their applications. If you feel passionate about Duke and its mission, by all means, go for it!

 

[Detective SnowBucket]

Hey all - I am a student who was accepted to Duke this past cycle and will be matriculating in fall of 2019 after deferring for a year. Therefore, some of us might be classmates one day!

Obviously, my experience with Duke is a bit limited as I am not a student yet, but I would be happy to answer questions about the application process, "why Duke," etc. I'm super fired up about this place and hope I can be of some small help to you as you apply to DukeMed.

I wish each of you the best as you move forward through this application cycle. Do your best to not lose yourself in this process - it can be really soul-sucking. Exercise, stay connected with people, maintain hobbies...do whatever you can to stay healthy and positive.

And, enjoy the essays Someone (on this forum, I believe) said, "Duke's secondary will either kill you or make you a better person." There is a reason they are so in-depth, for admissions really wants to see the kind of person that you are. So, have fun writing and see them as an opportunity to perhaps learn something new about yourself!

How were you able to defer a year?

 

[anaminmasar]

How were you able to defer a year?

After I was accepted and committed to coming to Duke, I just sent an email requesting the deferral and my reasons why I was seeking it. As far as I know, as long as you have a decent reason (not just wanting to chill for a year or something), they are very accommodating. This was something I had on my mind for some time, but I did not decide on a school based on who would grant me the deferral - I chose the best school for me and then requested.

 

[MC_Infarction]

Yeah, there are multiple people in the current MS1 class who had deferred for a year. Really not a big deal.

 

[Detective SnowBucket]

Can current students tell me, what is something you don't like about Duke?

 

[MC_Infarction]

Can current students tell me, what is something you don't like about Duke?

This time of year, I’m not digging the humidity.

But for real, I don’t have any strong dislikes (more like things about the curriculum that I would personally do differently) or things I wish I had known before coming here.

 

[altblue]

My LizzyM is only 73 but I'm throwing my hat in the ring! Let's see how this goes.

 

[Unlimited Apps]

My LizzyM is only 73 but I'm throwing my hat in the ring! Let's see how this goes.

In a similar boat! But am a NC resident and have connections to the university (though I doubt that helps!)

 

[Detective SnowBucket]

This time of year, I’m not digging the humidity.
.

Lol I’m currently further south than the Carolinas, so it would still be better.

My LizzyM is only 73 but I'm throwing my hat in the ring! Let's see how this goes.

I’m also 73 but I think we got a shot!

 

[Unlimited Apps]

I know for a fact it does.

The connections to the university or being a NC resident?

I don't know if you guys remember the MSAR breakdown but there is a HUGE difference between IS and OOS numbers for accepted students (I'm talking like 514 IS median and a lower IS GPA median as well). Not to mention the IS vs OOS interview % rate is also drastically different.

Anyone know why this is? As a NC resident, I am hopeful for a slight advantage but am skeptical that it is anything significant. For a moment I thought it was because Duke might prefer Duke undergrad students and many of these might be NC residents but then I realized that Duke undergrad isn't majority NC residents.

 

[wesleysnipes]

The connections to the university or being a NC resident?

I don't know if you guys remember the MSAR breakdown but there is a HUGE difference between IS and OOS numbers for accepted students (I'm talking like 514 IS median and a lower IS GPA median as well). Not to mention the IS vs OOS interview % rate is also drastically different.

Anyone know why this is? As a NC resident, I am hopeful for a slight advantage but am skeptical that it is anything significant. For a moment I thought it was because Duke might prefer Duke undergrad students and many of these might be NC residents but then I realized that Duke undergrad isn't majority NC residents.

both are factored in.

 

[medschoolzombie]

Considering applying here but I don't know if I'd even have a decent shot. LizzyM 71.5 OOS. MSAR says I'm closer to the 10th percentile as an OOS. Anyone know if Duke is more focused on stats or experiences? Can great ECs make up for lower stats?

 

[LAIsTheBestPlaceEver]

For people who are pre-writing the 2°, I have a question about the advocate essay. If I have never fight for or advocate for a specific person, but rather for a group of people, is that an ok thing to write? The question asked for "Describe a situation where you have chosen to advocate for someone who is different from yourself. " though.

 

[Unlimited Apps]

For people who are pre-writing the 2°, I have a question about the advocate essay. If I have never fight for or advocate for a specific person, but rather for a group of people, is that an ok thing to write? The question asked for "Describe a situation where you have chosen to advocate for someone who is different from yourself. " though.

Another applicant but I'd imagine that would be ok! Assuming you interacted with people in that group or what not. Or do you mean you advocated for them in more of an absent way (like policy advocacy or something similar)?

 

[Detective SnowBucket]

For people who are pre-writing the 2°, I have a question about the advocate essay. If I have never fight for or advocate for a specific person, but rather for a group of people, is that an ok thing to write? The question asked for "Describe a situation where you have chosen to advocate for someone who is different from yourself. " though.

Do we have a secondary reader list, like we had for PS's? That'd be really useful.

 

[Lucca]

Do we have a secondary reader list, like we had for PS's? That'd be really useful.

Probably not as useful as you’d think. Too time consuming and variable between school to school for people to generically read over secondaries and also return them in a timely manner. If you’re worried about it, give your secondaries to a few trusted people you know irl

 

[Detective SnowBucket]

You're actually totally right @Lucca . Accounting for your points I guess something like a
"~~~~2018 - 2019 Official Guide To Writing Secondaries ~~~~~" is more what I'm looking for.

 

[WIMNFamilyMed]

This secondary is a monster!

Also FYI to all of you that it has one question specifically about research... having not done research that was the question that made my decide not to submit a secondary here last year.

 

[Unlimited Apps]

Does anyone know how Duke views their secondary compared to other schools? Obviously they have all of these 600 word prompts for a reason so I am assuming that they value the responses more so than most other schools do with their secondary.

 

[medschoolzombie]

Does anyone know how Duke views their secondary compared to other schools? Obviously they have all of these 600 word prompts for a reason so I am assuming that they value the responses more so than most other schools do with their secondary.

Duke supppsedly uses a point system to score applicants. From hearing what others have said it doesn’t seem like they’re as important compared to stats or the like

 

[LAIsTheBestPlaceEver]

Another applicant but I'd imagine that would be ok! Assuming you interacted with people in that group or what not. Or do you mean you advocated for them in more of an absent way (like policy advocacy or something similar)?

It's advocating for a specific group of students back when I was in student government.

 

[anaminmasar]

Does anyone know how Duke views their secondary compared to other schools? Obviously they have all of these 600 word prompts for a reason so I am assuming that they value the responses more so than most other schools do with their secondary.

Duke supppsedly uses a point system to score applicants. From hearing what others have said it doesn’t seem like they’re as important compared to stats or the like

In my experience, they actually spent a fair amount of time explaining the "why" behind their (fairly uniquely) extensive secondaries on the interview day and beyond. They want to get at the heart of your experiences and background to see you are a self reflective person who does things not just to do them, but interrogates your own personal values in the midst/pursuit of them. As such, I think that DukeMed admissions places a high value on your secondary essays, and as such I would put as much thought and care into them as you can. Yes, they are just one aspect of your application (primary, MMI, stats, gpa, etc.), but don't skimp on or undervalue them.

In regards to the whole application process, I would advise everyone (when applying anywhere) to spend less time speculating on what schools value and more time doing everything possible to put your absolute best foot forward. Of course, this does not mean be irresponsible where you apply - some schools (per MSAR) do have more competitive stats, etc. Also, it does not mean you should not personalize your essays/interview responses based on particular missions/opportunities each school offers - you should ABSOLUTELY do this, as I think this is so essential. But, control what you can control, and accept the unfortunate fact that a lot of this process is a bit of a crap shoot. Even those of us who are successful can only, in many ways, speculate as to how that came to be.

Work hard, be honest and clear about your intentions/heart behind why you are pursuing this path, and have hope that it will work out one way or another - sometimes in a way that you might never have anticipated.

 

[anaminmasar]

For people who are pre-writing the 2°, I have a question about the advocate essay. If I have never fight for or advocate for a specific person, but rather for a group of people, is that an ok thing to write? The question asked for "Describe a situation where you have chosen to advocate for someone who is different from yourself. " though.

It's advocating for a specific group of students back when I was in student government.

N=1, my "advocate" essay was focused around my work alongside a particular group (a religious minority in the U.S.). Therefore, I think your idea is a very reasonable way to approach this question.

 

[buckoh24]

In my experience, they actually spent a fair amount of time explaining the "why" behind their (fairly uniquely) extensive secondaries on the interview day and beyond. They want to get at the heart of your experiences and background to see you are a self reflective person who does things not just to do them, but interrogates your own personal values in the midst/pursuit of them. As such, I think that DukeMed admissions places a high value on your secondary essays, and as such I would put as much thought and care into them as you can. Yes, they are just one aspect of your application (primary, MMI, stats, gpa, etc.), but don't skimp on or undervalue them.

In regards to the whole application process, I would advise everyone (when applying anywhere) to spend less time speculating on what schools value and more time doing everything possible to put your absolute best foot forward. Of course, this does not mean be irresponsible where you apply - some schools (per MSAR) do have more competitive stats, etc. Also, it does not mean you should not personalize your essays/interview responses based on particular missions/opportunities each school offers - you should ABSOLUTELY do this, as I think this is so essential. But, control what you can control, and accept the unfortunate fact that a lot of this process is a bit of a crap shoot. Even those of us who are successful can only, in many ways, speculate as to how that came to be.

Work hard, be honest and clear about your intentions/heart behind why you are pursuing this path, and have hope that it will work out one way or another - sometimes in a way that you might never have anticipated.

How much does Duke value personal characteristics compared to stats? I am very low for their stats (3.6/511) but have heard that they really value reinvention

 

[anaminmasar]

How much does Duke value personal characteristics compared to stats? I am very low for their stats (3.6/511) but have heard that they really value reinvention

Good question - my short answer is this: they (and I think many institutions) value the entirety of the application, and in particular the story that went into making that application.

They look at everything: stats, personal background, journey, people touched along the way, MMI, and more. They all matter. I don't have any particular insight into what goes into some people being accepted and some not - obviously some folks have a 525 MCAT and 3.98 gpa, and others have a 3.6 and 511. And, many people with 525s and 3.9s get rejected.

I think Duke really does place a LOT of value on the ways each person will contribute to the medical school/Duke/Durham community. For example, on MSAR their median stats (as I recall) are not as astronomical as some other schools like NYU, Wash U, etc. They could be, but they are not. Therefore, I think this points in some way to their commitment to see beyond raw numbers. But, that doesn't mean the numbers mean nothing, either.

The only way that I can 100% guarantee you won't be accepted is if you don't apply. If you have the money to do so, send your app!

 

[Detective SnowBucket]

To any former/current students, would you call the atmosphere more competitive or collaborative?

 

[BigSkyBeta]

To any former/current students, would you call the atmosphere more competitive or collaborative?

Current MSII. I found the first year experience to be incredibly collaborative. This I believe is a reflection of the curriculum being pass fail. There is no incentive to hoard resources or to make things difficult for your fellow students. There were multiple occasions where my lazy/procrastinating butt was saved because of an excellent study guide created by a classmate which they shared through our group facebook page.

As far as second year goes, your class will be much more split-up once you are on the wards. There will be instances where you may feel that you are stuck with someone who is "gunning" but in my experience, the majority of people whom I have rotated with have been collaborative, perhaps a carry-over from our first year experience.

Overall I would say that my experience over the past two years has been largely collaborative >>>>>>>>>>> competitive

 

[MC_Infarction]

+1 to the above statement. My class could not be more collaborative. It's like everyone wants to one up with how helpful they can be (in the nicest, best way possible).

Like, we'll have a classmate say, 'hey, I made an Anki deck for this subject,' and then 30 minutes later, someone will say, 'hey, I took that Anki deck and added First Aid/Sketchy images to it.' It's pretty great. We created a shared (everyone has the password) class google drive where we share resources with one another.

With regards to the postings asking about stats vs. secondaries, the short answer is that none of us really know how much weight one holds over the other. We can hypothesize to no end on this board, but it's still a very unknown and secretive process. If you want to apply, and are passionate about what you think Duke has to offer, go for it. I know that the secondary fees/the time invested sucks, but I also think that $100 is a small price to pay for the chance to potentially matriculate here if you really want to (and I say this as someone who is very aware of the financial strain of medical school). I know classmates with lower stats, but who also have absolutely amazing extracurriculars. I also know that they do read everyone's secondary (or so they tell us).

I almost didn't fill out an application to Duke when I applied because I thought that the secondary was too long. I procrastinated a lot on finishing it, and came really close to throwing in the towel, as it really is a pain in the ass to complete. That being said, I'm very happy that I decided to complete it. Life has a funny way of working out.

 

[Knope2020]

Dumb question, but can someone please explain what they mean by "at least one functional impact of the experience" in the failure question? Is that simply a consequence of the experience, something else, or am I reading way too much into it?

 

[MC_Infarction]

Dumb question, but can someone please explain what they mean by "at least one functional impact of the experience" in the failure question? Is that simply a consequence of the experience, something else, or am I reading way too much into it?

I interpreted it as a consequence of the experience. As in, asking you what you learned from your failure.

 

[runningco93]

I'm prewriting the essays from last year and I've finished everything except the following essay, which isn't in the original post in last year's thread but is buried on the first page.

"Tell us more about who you are. You may provide additional information that expands your self-identity where gender identification, racial and/or ethnic self description, geographic origin, socioeconomic, academic, and/or other characteristics that define who you are as you contemplate a career that will interface with people who are similar AND dissimilar to you. You will have the opportunity below to tell us how you wish to be addressed, recognized and treated. (500 words)"

Does anyone know if this is mandatory? If so, what exactly are they asking? I've written so much about my values and upbringing already so I'm not sure what to write. I could talk about growing up with my family and our values but I don't know if that's appropriate?

 

[jj_Sharp2]

Does anyone know if it is okay to dip into aspects that were discussed in your personal statement when talking about secondaries? I know generally you should not but jesus they're really trying to know everything you've ever done with these questions.

 

[MC_Infarction]

Does anyone know if it is okay to dip into aspects that were discussed in your personal statement when talking about secondaries? I know generally you should not but jesus they're really trying to know everything you've ever done with these questions.

Yeah, that's absolutely fine. With a secondary as extensive as this, there's bound to be some overlap!

 

[Master Thinker]

Pre-writing my essays! Would be so annoyed if they changed all of them lol

 

[Pharaoh95]

Good question - my short answer is this: they (and I think many institutions) value the entirety of the application, and in particular the story that went into making that application.

They look at everything: stats, personal background, journey, people touched along the way, MMI, and more. They all matter. I don't have any particular insight into what goes into some people being accepted and some not - obviously some folks have a 525 MCAT and 3.98 gpa, and others have a 3.6 and 511. And, many people with 525s and 3.9s get rejected.

I think Duke really does place a LOT of value on the ways each person will contribute to the medical school/Duke/Durham community. For example, on MSAR their median stats (as I recall) are not as astronomical as some other schools like NYU, Wash U, etc. They could be, but they are not. Therefore, I think this points in some way to their commitment to see beyond raw numbers. But, that doesn't mean the numbers mean nothing, either.

The only way that I can 100% guarantee you won't be accepted is if you don't apply. If you have the money to do so, send your app!

LOL. Their OOS medians on MSAR are 3.89/3.89/520.

 

[anaminmasar]

I'm prewriting the essays from last year and I've finished everything except the following essay, which isn't in the original post in last year's thread but is buried on the first page.

"Tell us more about who you are. You may provide additional information that expands your self-identity where gender identification, racial and/or ethnic self description, geographic origin, socioeconomic, academic, and/or other characteristics that define who you are as you contemplate a career that will interface with people who are similar AND dissimilar to you. You will have the opportunity below to tell us how you wish to be addressed, recognized and treated. (500 words)"

Does anyone know if this is mandatory? If so, what exactly are they asking? I've written so much about my values and upbringing already so I'm not sure what to write. I could talk about growing up with my family and our values but I don't know if that's appropriate?

I did respond to that one, and as I recall there is nothing indicating it is optional. Therefore, I think that you must do this one. I went more in depth regarding my relatively privileged background and experiences that opened my eyes to that reality. Then, I tied in how these experiences have shaped my future goals in medicine. I think that family values could be applicable here, but that could also play into the "community that formed you" essay as well. Your choice!

LOL. Their OOS medians on MSAR are 3.89/3.89/520.

Haha yeah that's why I specified "per my recollection," as I don't have the new MSAR! The medians might have changed (but be sure that you have the "matriculated" box checked, as that is more indicative of the people that end up at Duke). Further, I did write that stats do matter a lot, but that in my experience I know folks who were accepted who do not meet some of the metrics per MSAR. Again, the only way that you can ensure you will not get in is if you don't apply. But, if you gauge it is not worth your time/effort/money, that's ok too!

EDIT - I got access to MSAR through a friend! Just as an FYI, although the median for OOS accepted is 520, the 25th percentile runs down to 516. Further, the 25th percentile of all matriculated students is 513, median is 518, and 75th 521. As such, there is a rather large distribution of scores, and there is by no means some sort of hard line at 520. Therefore, if you fall in the range of 25th-75th percentile of matriculated students (513-521), it is statistically very reasonable to apply. Be careful with the "accepted" metrics, as they do not reflect the actual distribution of the class!

 

[Lucca]

I did respond to that one, and as I recall there is nothing indicating it is optional. Therefore, I think that you must do this one. I went more in depth regarding my relatively privileged background and experiences that opened my eyes to that reality. Then, I tied in how these experiences have shaped my future goals in medicine. I think that family values could be applicable here, but that could also play into the "community that formed you" essay as well. Your choice!



Haha yeah that's why I specified "per my recollection," as I don't have the new MSAR! The medians might have changed (but be sure that you have the "matriculated" box checked, as that is more indicative of the people that end up at Duke). Further, I did write that stats do matter a lot, but that in my experience I know folks who were accepted who do not meet some of the metrics per MSAR. Again, the only way that you can ensure you will not get in is if you don't apply. But, if you gauge it is not worth your time/effort/money, that's ok too!

EDIT - I got access to MSAR through a friend! Just as an FYI, although the median for OOS accepted is 520, the 25th percentile runs down to 516. Further, the 25th percentile of all matriculated students is 513, median is 518, and 75th 521. As such, there is a rather large distribution of scores, and there is by no means some sort of hard line at 520. Therefore, if you fall in the range of 25th-75th percentile of matriculated students (513-521), it is statistically very reasonable to apply. Be careful with the "accepted" metrics, as they do not reflect the actual distribution of the class!

Surely what we care about is who is accepted, not who matriculates no? Also I thought the MSAR stopped showing accepted data and only had matriculated. But mine expired so can’t verify.

 

[Wahkoon]

Surely what we care about is who is accepted, not who matriculates no? Also I thought the MSAR stopped showing accepted data and only had matriculated. But mine expired so can’t verify.

I agree that accepted is more valuable, matriculatnt is more of an afterthought. Also, both accepted and matriculant data is available on the most recent MSAR.

 

[anaminmasar]

Surely what we care about is who is accepted, not who matriculates no? Also I thought the MSAR stopped showing accepted data and only had matriculated. But mine expired so can’t verify.

I agree that accepted is more valuable, matriculatnt is more of an afterthought. Also, both accepted and matriculant data is available on the most recent MSAR.

That is fair to say, I guess, as that data does reflect all that are accepted. That being said, there are simply a lot of people who are accepted to a bunch of "top schools" that have strong scores. They can only end up choosing one. Therefore, I think that the accepted data is really skewed in that there is such a high concentration of high scorers that simply will not attend every school that they have been accepted to. Therefore, the matriculant data can give a bit more of a realistic view of the kinds of people that get accepted, in a way. Just a thought - I am no expert, so take it with a grain of salt!