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Yes! I agree with the narrative. I like how it allows you to express different (but interconnected) parts of yourself across the prompts.
Most certainly! I think I said this on a previous page, but my “identities” essay pointed out my three primary identities though the roles I play, and then I was able to have an entirely separate essay about each of those identities and then some.

TBH after writing the Duke secondary, I realized just how much my primary application was lacking in terms of narrative lol
 
Yah, it really was. Definitely the most time I have spent on anything else with the cycle and also probably the most opportunity to produce the cleanest narrative. Like, I actually think I prefer the many essays to just a couple.
I completely agree. I hated having to do it, but looking back, I'm definitely most proud of these essays. Once I got into the groove, I expressed myself a lot better.
 
For the advocacy prompt:
I am a trained volunteer advocate for victims of abuse that report to the hospital.
Is this cutting corners in terms of talking about advocacy or should I take more of an ethical/political approach to it (ex: maybe I saw someone on the bus who needed my help etc)
Help! Thanks
 
Been almost 3 weeks since I got this secondary, not very excited about Durham, and still not done writing it. Do I bother finishing/submitting at this point? lol
 
Been almost 3 weeks since I got this secondary, not very excited about Durham, and still not done writing it. Do I bother finishing/submitting at this point? lol
What makes you say that about Durham, out of curiosity? Where are you from?
 
Been almost 3 weeks since I got this secondary, not very excited about Durham, and still not done writing it. Do I bother finishing/submitting at this point? lol
If you can submit by the end of next week, I think you will be fine. The rest is really up to you to decide. Good luck!
 
Been almost 3 weeks since I got this secondary, not very excited about Durham, and still not done writing it. Do I bother finishing/submitting at this point? lol
Can't speak to whether or not you're enthused about the school, but as for Durham, its one of my favorite places in the country. Its certainly not a big urban area (though Raleigh is nearby and much more city-like), but it is an incredibly connected community with lots of bars, restaurants, markets, etc. Its close to nature, mid-way between the mountains and the beach, but also has lots to do in town. I won't go on forever about it, but I have a lot of love for Bull City.
 
@ Duke
273964
 
bro I had a pavlovian response to this. single tear jumping out of my eye kind of stuff
So after a lot of googling, I am in disbelief - apparently “Where’d you go” was never actually in this movie and it was “I want a mom that’ll last forever”?!?

Like, I have a DISTINCT memory and association of that song and this scene. WTF is going on?
 
Can't speak to whether or not you're enthused about the school, but as for Durham, its one of my favorite places in the country. Its certainly not a big urban area (though Raleigh is nearby and much more city-like), but it is an incredibly connected community with lots of bars, restaurants, markets, etc. Its close to nature, mid-way between the mountains and the beach, but also has lots to do in town. I won't go on forever about it, but I have a lot of love for Bull City.
Yeah, pretty much this. I moved here from an objectively very desirable place to live, and feel like it has a little bit of everything. It's a great place to live.
 
Can't speak to whether or not you're enthused about the school, but as for Durham, its one of my favorite places in the country. Its certainly not a big urban area (though Raleigh is nearby and much more city-like), but it is an incredibly connected community with lots of bars, restaurants, markets, etc. Its close to nature, mid-way between the mountains and the beach, but also has lots to do in town. I won't go on forever about it, but I have a lot of love for Bull City.


Is Durham accepting of Minorities? The last time I visited NC it felt fine, but I was in the cities.
 
Is Durham accepting of Minorities? The last time I visited NC it felt fine, but I was in the cities.

I spent a lot of time in Durham growing up, and there are quite large minority populations. It is a very diverse area, so I don't think you'll have a difficult time at all. There are tons of little intercultural festivals and stuff in the triangle area as well. Plus, Duke itself is very invested in minority affairs. 🙂

On another note, yikes. Finally done with that secondary. Best of luck to those who have yet to start!
 
Is Durham accepting of Minorities? The last time I visited NC it felt fine, but I was in the cities.
I spent a lot of time in Durham growing up, and there are quite large minority populations. It is a very diverse area, so I don't think you'll have a difficult time at all. There are tons of little intercultural festivals and stuff in the triangle area as well. Plus, Duke itself is very invested in minority affairs. 🙂

On another note, yikes. Finally done with that secondary. Best of luck to those who have yet to start!

Yeah absolutely, the triangle area has a large minority population and I believe Durham itself is just around 50% white. The city is really progressive and very politically engaged. Especially in 2017, the community was active with opposing racial gerrymandering in North Carolina and immigration policy.
 
Does Duke screen before sending out secondaries or something? I've checked my spam multiple times and haven't seen anything for all of July? Should I email their admissions office asking about it, or am I just in one of their last "waves" of emails?

I received one 20 mins after submitting primary. I think it’s automatically sent to everyone
 
So the other guy who posted this question never really got a response, but for the failure essay, did you guys

1) Write about an experience you had with failure and what you learned from that/how you dealt with it

OR

2) Talk about lessons that you've learned from general failures in your life (without being too specific about any one experience)

The prompt seems different this year, focusing more on 2 than 1, but I'm not sure how to take it.

Thanks
 
So the other guy who posted this question never really got a response, but for the failure essay, did you guys

1) Write about an experience you had with failure and what you learned from that/how you dealt with it

OR

2) Talk about lessons that you've learned from general failures in your life (without being too specific about any one experience)

The prompt seems different this year, focusing more on 2 than 1, but I'm not sure how to take it.

Thanks
I wrote about specific failure in my life, its affect on me and how I grew from it!
 
For the "most humbling experience" can I talk about a job I once had in the service industry aka something that I never did before. @Goro @gonnif @Moko
 
Just a reminder to everyone to check your Spam folders on your email. My school email (rightly) classified the Duke-NUS emails as Spam, but this also triggered it to classify regular Duke as spam.
 
What are the prompts for MD-PhD? Are they the same as the regular MD?
 
Is Duke-NUS a valid USMD?
Duke-NUS is not a US-MD. They just award the MD. You'd still be an IMG. I was seriously considering going to Yale-NUS for the "combined program" where you got guaranteed matriculation at Duke-NUS (aka BA/MD). Except you also have to work in Singapore for like 6 years to pay off the grants LOL
 
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