Accepted and DROPPED by Duke Medical School

[frescanese]

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As a preface: this is meant as a cautionary tale and also a way to bitch out the duke admissions folks. To those of you who will take issue with what may appear as my laziness--whatever, I hope you get off on that kinda thing.

Anyways, I interviewed at Duke in January and left thinking 1) I wasnt going to get in and 2) I wasnt especially wanting to go there. Come February 28, I get the unexpected phone call that I was granted admission.

Because my mail from medschools was being sent to my parents' house (I had some real qualms about my apartment mail's reliability), I did not receive the letter in-hand until March 14. By that time, I had known for a while that I was admitted. I gave the letter a cursory run through and made sure to set aside Financial Aid forms so I could fill them in later. I had already inquired about scholarships at the school, so I knew that there wasnt any such info in the acceptance package. Later that week I call the admissions office and spoke with them and with the financial aid office about forms and that sort of thing.

Fast forward to Thursday, March 24: I check my email and see an email from Duke. In the letter I learn that my ACCEPTANCE WAS RESCINDED because I had not replied within 21 days with a statement of intent that I wanted my place held. I jotted a quick email response immediately and called the office next morning. That Friday morning I was told by the office to fax a petition to the director of admissions, so I do so.

FIVE MINUTES after I send the fax through, my cell phone rings. It is the SECRETARY for the director of admissions telling me that the director will not be changing her decision to rescind my acceptance. Frustrated, I ask to speak with the director herself (I feel that after $500 spent to interview, I deserve this much), and she tells me that the director has left for vacation. Bewildered, I remind the lady that I sent the fax 5 mins ago (literally), and she responds that the director has read my letter and has gone on vacation. Stunned, I ask her if the director is a fast reader because my petition was at least 300 words typed--no real response. In other words, the director must have read the petition, made her decision, instructed her secretary to call me, and left her office within 5 mins (and it may have been 4 mins, I kid you not). I insist that I speak with the director when she returns from her vacation and that is that.

Friends, fellow premeds, fellow human beings, we have been lied to throughout the process that we are to be kind and compassionate in order to receive admittance as future doctors. This director of admissions at a top tier medschool thought enough of me that she treated me in this cool manner. I would argue that she is not displaying the same type of humanism she demands from her applicants.

After all this happened, I looked back over my acceptance letter. In the second to last paragraph, in one sentence it read: "enclosed is a statement of intent form; please fill this out and return it to us within 21 days." Admittedly, I made a stupid, stupid, stupid mistake, but would anyone expect such harsh consequences?

Thats all I have to say.

 

[IndyZX]

that SUCKS. im so sorry.

 

[tinkerbelle]

I'm so sorry frescanese 🙁 What a horrible price to pay for a simple mistake. Isn't there anyone else you can appeal to?

 

[AStudent]

A few things.

If you didn't want to go there, why do you care so much?
Don't you know that you have to let the schools know you want to come?
Why don't you trust the USPS? Everyone else does.

When I got into my first choice I was all over their nuts. I called almost every day with a question and sometimes just to make sure I was complete with everything and that my acceptance check had been processed. If you really wanted to go there why didn't you show some interest? It's a top 10 medical school...did you think they would wait around forever?

 

[OBGYN2010]

That is completely ridiculous! I can't believe that they would do that. You should def talk to the director once he/she gets back from vacation! Sorry 🙁

 

[tinkerbelle]

Don't you know that you have to let the schools know you want to come?

maybe frescanese thought he/she had until May 15th to respond. But anyways. Frescanese, complain away. I think we all sympathize with you 🙁

 

[frescanese]

Yeah, very good points. I'm not going to argue with anyone pointing out my idiocy. To clear things up:

1) As far as caring about Duke versus other schools: All schools were all about equal in my mind; I was waiting until April to decide. I was more appalled at the apparent abruptness of the admissions committee. Also, as I said, it's partly a cautionary tale. Finally, $500 man.

2) Not really. As dumb as it may sound ... I didn't know that you did. I actually called my other schools after this and fixed that elsewhere. Like I said: me = idiot.

3) Good question ... I applied before I got my address here, and I just figured it would be safer having things sent to my permanent address.

 

[LVDoc]

That seriously sucks. I'm sorry to hear about your whole ordeal.

Since it can't possibly hurt now, I would urge you to speak with someone higher up than the Director of Admissions. Waiting for her to get back from her vacation would take quite a bit of time, and you need to get this immediately taken care of.

Generally, I never trust what secretaries say. It is standard to get the official word from the person in charge, not their assistant(s).

 

[Medikit]

If you're telling the truth I would say forget Duke. They don't want you badly enough.

 

[GuyLaroche]

This story is filled with two glaring inaccuracies. One of which is that Duke does not have an admissions director - she is the dean of admissions. She is an MD, and pretty much the absolute authority. She reports only to the dean of the medical school, who will certainly not have time for this sort of silliness. Secondly, she is not on vacation. I happen to know this for a fact. A third, minor inaccuracy is the secretary, Ms. Elwell, does not have the authorization to tell anyone emphatically what the dean has decided. And fourthly, the financial aid forms did not come with the acceptance letter. This story sounds a bit trollish.

If in fact this is a true story, then I blame you wholly. If you knew you were accepted, why didn't you inform them that you had not received the admissions materials by day 14 of not having received them? Why didn't you write a formal letter to the dean accepting the offer and telling her of your mail problems? You were clearly not into Duke, and they, in return, decided they weren't that into you. They do stress in the letter -now that you have it in hard copy - that Duke reserves the right to revoke its admissions offer at any time without any explanations. I have no sympathy for you. There are many people on here who would kill to get into Duke, and your nonchalance deserves nothing more than the cold treatment you claim to have received. Hopefully, some deserving person on the waitlist will benefit from this.

 

[KiwiFruit]

Oh my gosh!! I am soooooooo sorry. And also ANGRY. I cannot believe they would do that to you?! Can Duke say respect? That is just absolutely horrible that they would do that to you...do you have other acceptances? Geesh!! How frustrating. I would definitely talk to someone higher to see if there was anything left to be done. I really hope you win this...even if it is just to win and you end up going somewhere else. Seriously though...good luck!

 

[DantheMan05]

Just to lend credence to this story, there's a girl in my class who got into Duke this year and had roughly the same thing happen to her (I'm assuming, though I don't know who you are, that you're not the same girl). Duke is apparently super-anal about these things.

 

[Shredder]

just to play devils advocate and give food for thought: what if a patients report stated that a drug had to be administered within 21 days--but it wasnt. big malpractice suit. dead person. dead...lines. theyre a real thing in the world, and its a bummer when they are missed but they do have to be set and met. then again, maybe you can resuscitate the patient, hmm im getting metaphorical. anyway sorry dude, but screw duke, you said you didnt like it and who wants to be stuck out in rural chapel hill or whatever it is anyway--kidding, its a nice place, i went in 7th grade for duke TIP

trump says: talk to the boss whenever you can. forget the underlings. guy, wheres kinetic.

 

[Medikit]

Just to lend credence to this story, there's a girl in my class who got into Duke this year and had roughly the same thing happen to her (I'm assuming, though I don't know who you are, that you're not the same girl). Duke is apparently super-anal about these things.

To lend further credence to this story I didn't apply to Duke at all and the admissions staff was very unfriendly to me when I asked them why I wasn't accepted.

 

[ramblinwreckie]

This story is filled with two glaring inaccuracies. One of which is that Duke does not have an admissions director - she is the dean of admissions. She is an MD, and pretty much the absolute authority. She reports only to the dean of the medical school, who will certainly not have time for this sort of silliness. Secondly, she is not on vacation. I happen to know this for a fact. A third, minor inaccuracy is the secretary, Ms. Elwell, does not have the authorization to tell anyone emphatically what the dean has decided. And fourthly, the financial aid forms did not come with the acceptance letter. This story sounds a bit trollish.

If in fact this is a true story, then I blame you wholly. If you knew you were accepted, why didn't you inform them that you had not received the admissions materials by day 14 of not having received them? Why didn't you write a formal letter to the dean accepting the offer and telling her of your mail problems? You were clearly not into Duke, and they, in return, decided they weren't that into you. They do stress in the letter -now that you have it in hard copy - that Duke reserves the right to revoke its admissions offer at any time without any explanations. I have no sympathy for you. There are many people on here who would kill to get into Duke, and your nonchalance deserves nothing more than the cold treatment you claim to have received. Hopefully, some deserving person on the waitlist will benefit from this.

Guy, did you receive a response to your Statement of Intent? I haven't.

OP, I'm sure you can get this reversed if you really want to. While it might be due to your negligence, I doubt someone higher up would just callously brush you off for one mistake. Good luck.

 

[javert]

To lend further credence to this story I didn't apply to Duke at all and the admissions staff was very unfriendly to me when I asked them why I wasn't accepted.

To lend even further credence to the story, I received the same email that the OP refers to. I applied MSTP to Duke and had already withdrew my acceptance, but I guess that was not passed on to the Med Admissions people. 😕

Anyway, the story sounds true to me. Here's the body of the email, for anyone who's interested:

Enclosed in your decision packet dated February 28, 2005 was a Statement of Intent that when completed and signed, acknowledged our offer to you for admission to the Duke University School of Medicine 2005 entering class.

Your signed form, when on file with the Office of Admissions, underscores your right to hold this offer of admission until May 15, 2005. However, the School of Medicine requested that you complete the Statement of Intent form within 21 days (of the February 28th dated letter of acceptance). Inasmuch as more than 21 days have elapsed since that time and we have not heard from you, we assume that you are no longer interested in Duke Med. The Committee on Admissions has requested that we rescind your offer of admission based on our assumption that you are not interested in Duke and the fact that you have not responded to our offer of admission.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at 1-877-684-2985.

We wish you the best in your future endeavors.

 

[jhugti]

To lend even further credence to the story, I received the same email that the OP refers to. I applied MSTP to Duke and had already withdrew my acceptance, but I guess that was not passed on to the Med Admissions people. 😕

Anyway, the story sounds true to me. Here's the body of the email, for anyone who's interested:

also got the same email after having called to withdraw

 

[liverotcod]

To lend further credence to this story I didn't apply to Duke at all and the admissions staff was very unfriendly to me when I asked them why I wasn't accepted.

You should write to complain: "Although I recognize that you normally select your accepted candidates from among those who applied, I was surprised that you didn't note - by osmosis - my excellent credentials and admit me nevertheless.

 

[twicetenturns]

That is a terrible story, and I feel for you, but I can't blame Duke.

:mildly tangential anecdote possibly backing me up:

I was dismayed to find on a physics exam a couple of years back that due to a minor arithmetic error I recieved no credit on a very long and involved problem. I was furious and complained to everyone I could about the injustice and failure to recognise that I, in fact, knew how to solve the problem and had only messed up on some trivial math. Later a friend turned to me and said "TTT, nobody wants a doctor who makes arithmetic errors."

I learned a great deal from that, just the same way I immagine this will profoundly affect you. I am sorry that it feels harsh on their part, but I am sure you will be better for it later. Sounds like you have some great other places to choose from anyway.

 

[njbmd]

Hi Folks,
The real message here is this one: If you have any qualms about mail delivery, get a P.O. Box near your school or place of residence and have you mail delivered there. You can even go to a place like Mail Boxes Etc. and get a mailbox for a nominal cost. The cost of a reliable mailbox is minimal compared to the cost of application, travel for interview and wear on your psyche. You have to be proactive about the whole medical school admissions process which includes keeping everything organized, knowing and meeting all deadlines. It is their game and you have to play it their way. Unfortunately, you can be the loser in more ways than one if you don't. 🙁

njbmd 🙂

 

[isellcrack2kids]

if this is true (or even if its not - i dont really care), sucks frescanese. call the head of the school and explain your situation and then hound the admissions dean when s/he gets back. dont leave this in limbo until then.

 

[rambo]

That is a terrible story, and I feel for you, but I can't blame Duke.

:mildly tangential anecdote possibly backing me up:

I was dismayed to find on a physics exam a couple of years back that due to a minor arithmetic error I recieved no credit on a very long and involved problem. I was furious and complained to everyone I could about the injustice and failure to recognise that I, in fact, knew how to solve the problem and had only messed up on some trivial math. Later a friend turned to me and said "TTT, nobody wants a doctor who makes arithmetic errors."

I'm sorry, but that's ridiculous. If a friend turned to me and said that, they would no longer be one of my friends.

 

[Axe]

WTF. Is this story for real?

This has to be the most petty reason to be deaccepted by a school that I ever heard. Rivals what happens to JLee and UCDavis.

 

[frescanese]

guy, whats your deal, man? i knew someone would make your type of post, but ... man, you must be difficult to like.

anyways, the story is true. guy, are you absolutely sure that Dr. Armstrong is not on vacation? i would really like to know because i would make the telephone call right now to air my grievances. i did get the news from her secretary and, for that, i was very miffed and surprised.

no, i guess i wont be going to duke. i hate to base such decisions on the behavior of a few people, but i would feel uncomfortable going to a school where the administration 1) had to be leveraged simply to admit me (i imagine an unfriendly eye watching and waiting for me to screwup 1st year) and 2) has already proven themselves to be at least unfriendly (e.g. the dr. armstrong episode).

again, im not going to defend myself for my stupid actions. of course, you can think of a hundred cases where this type of negligence, if committed by an MD, could result in malpractice or death. thats just it, i screwed up.

however, that screwup doesnt, at least in my opinion, warrant 1) loss of acceptance and 2) rude and UNPROFESSIONAL (can we at least agree on that) treatment by administration staff.

i was seriously considering going to duke before this happened (despite my interview impressions). im glad i didnt buy a plane ticket for 2nd look.

 

[frescanese]

further clarification:

the mail came on time (March 4) to my permanent address, but i didnt receive it in-hand until the 14th because i live in a different city. knowing that i had been accepted for some time made me much less enthusiastic about reading through the form-letter-bull****.

guy, i think you are right, in hindsight. no FA forms in the duke letter, but there were some immunization forms there along with some others. i guess i put down FA because i meant to convey that i didnt just haphazardly throw away the letter or not even scan it.

 

[twicetenturns]

I'm sorry, but that's ridiculous. If a friend turned to me and said that, they would no longer be one of my friends.

Do you want a doctor who makes arithmetic errors? He made a totally valid point. Sometimes the best friends say the things that you need to hear no matter how harsh.

 

[Haybrant]

Do you want a doctor who makes arithmetic errors? He made a totally valid point. Sometimes the best friends say the things that you need to hear no matter how harsh.

while what you say is true ttt, i dont think the op actually needed to hear the rationale; i would think it is obvious; perhaps we can all put our heads together and suggest way for her/him to get back in

 

[GuyLaroche]

.... Sometimes the best friends say the things that you need to hear no matter how harsh.

To SDN-ers: I am your best friend.

 

[10minutes]

Do you want a doctor who makes arithmetic errors? He made a totally valid point. Sometimes the best friends say the things that you need to hear no matter how harsh.

I guess you have never made an arithmetic error? I have worked as both math and physics TAs, and arithmetic errors are not important part of the grading at least in class exams. If someone got screwed because of minor calculation errors, that's just not right. (at least in my school) Everyone makes MISTAKES. Accept this and move on.

 

[frantic983]

This same thing happened to a friend of mine 4 yrs ago whose top choice was duke. I hope you have multiple acceptances.

As a preface: this is meant as a cautionary tale and also a way to bitch out the duke admissions folks. To those of you who will take issue with what may appear as my laziness--whatever, I hope you get off on that kinda thing.

Anyways, I interviewed at Duke in January and left thinking 1) I wasnt going to get in and 2) I wasnt especially wanting to go there. Come February 28, I get the unexpected phone call that I was granted admission.

Because my mail from medschools was being sent to my parents' house (I had some real qualms about my apartment mail's reliability), I did not receive the letter in-hand until March 14. By that time, I had known for a while that I was admitted. I gave the letter a cursory run through and made sure to set aside Financial Aid forms so I could fill them in later. I had already inquired about scholarships at the school, so I knew that there wasnt any such info in the acceptance package. Later that week I call the admissions office and spoke with them and with the financial aid office about forms and that sort of thing.

Fast forward to Thursday, March 24: I check my email and see an email from Duke. In the letter I learn that my ACCEPTANCE WAS RESCINDED because I had not replied within 21 days with a statement of intent that I wanted my place held. I jotted a quick email response immediately and called the office next morning. That Friday morning I was told by the office to fax a petition to the director of admissions, so I do so.

FIVE MINUTES after I send the fax through, my cell phone rings. It is the SECRETARY for the director of admissions telling me that the director will not be changing her decision to rescind my acceptance. Frustrated, I ask to speak with the director herself (I feel that after $500 spent to interview, I deserve this much), and she tells me that the director has left for vacation. Bewildered, I remind the lady that I sent the fax 5 mins ago (literally), and she responds that the director has read my letter and has gone on vacation. Stunned, I ask her if the director is a fast reader because my petition was at least 300 words typed--no real response. In other words, the director must have read the petition, made her decision, instructed her secretary to call me, and left her office within 5 mins (and it may have been 4 mins, I kid you not). I insist that I speak with the director when she returns from her vacation and that is that.

Friends, fellow premeds, fellow human beings, we have been lied to throughout the process that we are to be kind and compassionate in order to receive admittance as future doctors. This director of admissions at a top tier medschool thought enough of me that she treated me in this cool manner. I would argue that she is not displaying the same type of humanism she demands from her applicants.

After all this happened, I looked back over my acceptance letter. In the second to last paragraph, in one sentence it read: "enclosed is a statement of intent form; please fill this out and return it to us within 21 days." Admittedly, I made a stupid, stupid, stupid mistake, but would anyone expect such harsh consequences?

Thats all I have to say.

 

[twicetenturns]

while what you say is true ttt, i dont think the op actually needed to hear the rationale; i would think it is obvious; perhaps we can all put our heads together and suggest way for her/him to get back in

I totally feel for the OP. I was merely responding to another person who advocated dropping any friend that presented a harsh truth. The little aritmetic story was more to commiserate with the OP on the mutual experience of having a small error that ended up with more major reprocussions. Also, how that experience, taken from a different point of view, can be strengthening.

Sure we all make mistakes, I am not trying to victim blame the OP, rather encourage them to take this seemed injustice, try to view it from Duke's point of view, and become stronger for it. I still agree that the way Duke is treatiing the OP is crap, and it totally takes me back to when I applied there as an undergrad. 🙄

Perhaps if the OP volunteers to take a spot at the top of the waitlist, that might be a fair compromise. What do y'all think?

 

[criminallyinane]

Everyone, including every doctor, will make an arithmetic error when it really counts sometime. Luckily for us, the nurses catch it and save the doctors' asses. Love your nurses! Remember on the wards that the medical team is just that - a TEAM.

 

[dopaminophile]

What ever happened to JLee anyway? Does anyone know if he got in again this year? That would be rediculously harsh to get your acceptance rescinded a week or two before orientation.

 

[BillyBarf]

now way Jsse. Heres the real message.
When we are all physicians and someone from the duke admisinstration comes to us for treatment, it is only right and just to promptly and painfully kill them.
Screw you Duke. I wish you admissions guys were closer to where I live so I could punch you all in the face.

 

[Bounty]

When i was applying to med school, I had a really negative interview experience at duke (it's a long story but lets just say that the person who interviewed me really shouldnt have, based on a previous personal experience i had with him).

Anyways, i ended up writing dr armstrong an email voicing my concerns about the experience, hoping that a similar situation could be avoided in the future.
I know she is a busy lady but i was pretty suprised that she didnt even have the courtesy to reply to me, especially since i think what happened was pretty unethical on the interviewer's part. It wasnt too big of a deal because i didnt want to go there anyway but, to me, her silence was very unprofessional and showed a lack of concern for the manner in which Admissions conducts business at that school.

 

[GuyLaroche]

When i was applying to med school, I had a really negative interview experience at duke (it's a long story but lets just say that the person who interviewed me really shouldnt have, based on a previous personal experience i had with him).

Anyways, i ended up writing dr armstrong an email voicing my concerns about the experience, hoping that a similar situation could be avoided in the future.
I know she is a busy lady but i was pretty suprised that she didnt even have the courtesy to reply to me, especially since i think what happened was pretty unethical on the interviewer's part. It wasnt too big of a deal because i didnt want to go there anyway but, to me, her silence was very unprofessional and showed a lack of concern for the manner in which Admissions conducts business at that school.

So, which medical school did you attend instead?

 

[Shredder]

I guess you have never made an arithmetic error? I have worked as both math and physics TAs, and arithmetic errors are not important part of the grading at least in class exams. If someone got screwed because of minor calculation errors, that's just not right. (at least in my school) Everyone makes MISTAKES. Accept this and move on.

miscalculate a drug dosage or other treatment and you could have a screwed, dead person on your hands along with a devastated, spiteful family. hope they dont find out and sue you out of a license. at least ideally, docs cant make mistakes. ironically yeah, its not right for ppl to get screwed bc of minor calculation errors.

i side with that friend who told it like it is to TTT, i believe. that doesnt mean you cant be a doc, but dont expect pardon for errors. but you shouldve gotten the grade in physics(?) for demonstrating knowledge of the material, since thats not real life. i think the bottom line is that mistakes in the real world matter a lot and are unacceptable, like various botched space expeditions due to errors in calculations. its one thing to submit apps and get grades but another to play with peoples lives.

 

[Bounty]

So, which medical school did you attend instead?

not duke! 🙂

 

[BillyBarf]

All I can say is someone should make some "math errors" on the duke admissions committees.

 

[BillyBarf]

Nuke Duke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[riceman04]

As a preface: this is meant as a cautionary tale and also a way to bitch out the duke admissions folks. To those of you who will take issue with what may appear as my laziness--whatever, I hope you get off on that kinda thing.

Anyways, I interviewed at Duke in January and left thinking 1) I wasnt going to get in and 2) I wasnt especially wanting to go there. Come February 28, I get the unexpected phone call that I was granted admission.

Because my mail from medschools was being sent to my parents' house (I had some real qualms about my apartment mail's reliability), I did not receive the letter in-hand until March 14. By that time, I had known for a while that I was admitted. I gave the letter a cursory run through and made sure to set aside Financial Aid forms so I could fill them in later. I had already inquired about scholarships at the school, so I knew that there wasnt any such info in the acceptance package. Later that week I call the admissions office and spoke with them and with the financial aid office about forms and that sort of thing.

Fast forward to Thursday, March 24: I check my email and see an email from Duke. In the letter I learn that my ACCEPTANCE WAS RESCINDED because I had not replied within 21 days with a statement of intent that I wanted my place held. I jotted a quick email response immediately and called the office next morning. That Friday morning I was told by the office to fax a petition to the director of admissions, so I do so.

FIVE MINUTES after I send the fax through, my cell phone rings. It is the SECRETARY for the director of admissions telling me that the director will not be changing her decision to rescind my acceptance. Frustrated, I ask to speak with the director herself (I feel that after $500 spent to interview, I deserve this much), and she tells me that the director has left for vacation. Bewildered, I remind the lady that I sent the fax 5 mins ago (literally), and she responds that the director has read my letter and has gone on vacation. Stunned, I ask her if the director is a fast reader because my petition was at least 300 words typed--no real response. In other words, the director must have read the petition, made her decision, instructed her secretary to call me, and left her office within 5 mins (and it may have been 4 mins, I kid you not). I insist that I speak with the director when she returns from her vacation and that is that.

Friends, fellow premeds, fellow human beings, we have been lied to throughout the process that we are to be kind and compassionate in order to receive admittance as future doctors. This director of admissions at a top tier medschool thought enough of me that she treated me in this cool manner. I would argue that she is not displaying the same type of humanism she demands from her applicants.

After all this happened, I looked back over my acceptance letter. In the second to last paragraph, in one sentence it read: "enclosed is a statement of intent form; please fill this out and return it to us within 21 days." Admittedly, I made a stupid, stupid, stupid mistake, but would anyone expect such harsh consequences?

Thats all I have to say.

That director is classless and unprofessional. I am mad at the fact that she did not call you back herself. The time she took to tell the secretary what to say, could have been used to call you. Just goes to show you that people in any position will always try and find the easy road out. It would have been very difficult for her to call you and tell you over the phone (person to person) that she was rescending your acceptance.
Unfortunately that was a big mistake on your part. I am really sorry that happened to you. But it is not the end of the world! Keep your head up, shake the haters off, and keep movin'! Take some time to brush those shoulders off!!!
Then when you are extrememly successful, and have been recognized for your committment to excellence give Duke a call back and tell them "do you see what you threw away. That's right I am now the Surgeon General, and you represent the medical school that made one of the dumbest decisions _____ years ago!"

Naw just playin': This is obviously God's will. But you will still be successful because the school does not make the person. The person makes the school!

cya!

 

[BillyBarf]

Kill The Guys At Duke!

 

[GuyLaroche]

... This is obviously God's will. But you will still be successful because the school does not make the person. The person makes the school!
cya!

Um, I'm fairly certain God had nothing to do with this.

 

[riceman04]

Um, I'm fairly certain God had nothing to do with this.

And from that I can tell that you are most likely an Atheist.
Of course, not direclty! I think that things are meant to happen for a reason. Now you can bark at that all you want, but that is just what I believe.

 

[TommyGunn04]

When i was applying to med school, I had a really negative interview experience at duke (it's a long story but lets just say that the person who interviewed me really shouldnt have, based on a previous personal experience i had with him).

Anyways, i ended up writing dr armstrong an email voicing my concerns about the experience, hoping that a similar situation could be avoided in the future.
I know she is a busy lady but i was pretty suprised that she didnt even have the courtesy to reply to me, especially since i think what happened was pretty unethical on the interviewer's part. It wasnt too big of a deal because i didnt want to go there anyway but, to me, her silence was very unprofessional and showed a lack of concern for the manner in which Admissions conducts business at that school.

I'm really surprised to hear this. Having had a great deal of personal experience with Dr. Armstrong, I have many reasons to hold her in extremely high regard. Her unbelievable dedication has done wonders for Duke Med. I wonder if perhaps she never got your letter...that's really not like her to ignore such an issue. Having been involved in admissions at Duke, I assure you that such experiences are definitely not the norm.

I'm also surprised to hear about the original poster's difficulties with the secretary. I know her personally - most Duke Med students do - and she's really a wonderful, pleasant person. I wonder if perhaps you talked to someone other than Wendy, the usual secretary. There are a few other people who work in the office doing more behind the scenes stuff, who occasionally take over for Wendy when she's not around.

Also, even if Dean Armstrong isn't around, you should be able to talk to Richard Wallace, who I understand is basically the second in command, essentially the assistant dean of admissions. I recommend you ask to talk to him about this issue if you can't talk to Dean Armstrong. But don't get all down on Duke just because of this experience...like I said, this is exceedingly unusual, and Duke is an absolutely phenomenal place! I'd hate for you to throw away such an opportunity over one bad experience with an office you don't ever have to even deal with as a student (unless you want free sodas or want to be on the committee! 🙂 ) I could go on singing praises for Duke, but I'm sure you've all heard it before. But please feel free to PM me if there's anything I can do to help.

 

[hnbui]

And from that I can tell that you are most likely an Atheist.
Of course, not direclty! I think that things are meant to happen for a reason. Now you can bark at that all you want, but that is just what I believe.

just because he replied with that statment doesn't mean he's an atheist. That's a really narrow definition of the word on your behalf. He can be of other religious faiths, including that of no religion. If you associate atheism w/ not believe in your particular "God" then you are mistaken.

sorry i just had to get that out.


but yeah it's really crappy that the op wasn't granted admission because of the deadline and it was really bad the way he was treated.

 

[xadmin]

Naw just playin': This is obviously God's will. But you will still be successful because the school does not make the person. The person makes the school!

cya!

God doesn't exist. Why do you believed in such myths.

 

[dopaminophile]

God doesn't exist. Why do you believed in such myths.

This is the last place I expected religious flaming... perhaps it's bleeding over from the other religious thread. So much for the compartmentalized conversation.

 

[riceman04]

God doesn't exist. Why do you believed in such myths.

uh ok!

 

[drwlo]

I know I'm in the minority here and it's not a popular opinion but I can't believe that you wouldn't read the acceptance letter. If it stated directly in the letter that you need to respond within 21 days it's your fault for not responding. Be glad that you have other options, can you imagine if it was your only acceptance? I think the director should have spoken with you but I can understand their decision to drop you.