Countdown to Duke 2005!

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At the Baylor interview, the dean told us that Baylor uses a similar point system to rank candidates after the interview. I don't know if a point system will necessarily lead to number-whoring, if not a lot of weight is placed on the gpa/mcat.

That said, I also think Duke likes applicants with high numbers. It's unfair to place any school into a "number-*****" category, but I'd imagine that relative to schools like harvard & hopkins, Duke cares more about the gpa/mcat. By the way, does it really matter if a school is a number *****? Students with high scores can be great doctors too 🙄
 
I'm going to get myself on the admissions committee at whatever school I attend. Hopefully, that'll be Duke (they have students as full members of the committee). Then I'll come back to SDN and tell everyone exactly what the deal yoyo is. I'll be a veritable adcom mole.
 
krelian said:
At the Baylor interview, the dean told us that Baylor uses a similar point system to rank candidates after the interview. I don't know if a point system will necessarily lead to number-whoring, if not a lot of weight is placed on the gpa/mcat.

That said, I also think Duke likes applicants with high numbers. It's unfair to place any school into a "number-*****" category, but I'd imagine that relative to schools like harvard & hopkins, Duke cares more about the gpa/mcat. By the way, does it really matter if a school is a number *****? Students with high scores can be great doctors too 🙄
Click to expand...

Duke may appear to have a strong tendency towards prefering the higher numbers, however, I speak for myself when I say that you are not eliminated from the game for failing to meet such criteria.

Remember, there are other factors that are considered valuable. This may strengthen your case for admission...
 
true true..bump bump
 
FWIW, the dean of Duke's med school came to my undergrad and gave a talk to applicants/potential applicants. He said the first thing they look at is your transcript: what you took, how hard it was, how well you did. They want people who can handle their curriculum. Make of that what you will...
 
can't wait til next week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Hey all, Hey tommygunn,

I can't believe this incredible year is over already. Just my 2 cents.....

The point system is actually used my many schools to make decisions, I am not sure how it could be done any other way. But the overall task is to look at an application and decide if any applicant would FIT in at Duke. Does this mean numbers only???? Absolutely NOT!!! Duke turns away LOTS OF PEOPLE with strong numbers. We care about people who show dedication to pursuing medicine, compassion to others, leadership capabilities, maturity, etc. You will be suprised at how all those things show through in an application/interview.

Just FYI, the reason why some of you may THINK we are a numbers-***** is really BECAUSE THE APPLICANT POOL (those who apply) has high numbers in general. Its the same with the other schools that were mentioned.

Okay, its late and I am not sure all of what i have said makes sense. Good luck to all.
 
Just three days left...

Where on the website does it say the 28th anyway? How sure are we of that?
 
Hmm... so it seems. Interestingly, if you log in and read the note from Richard Wallace he says that "...no decisions will be discussed via telephone or transmitted via e-mail at any time or under any circumstance." No doubt a consequence of the fiasco a few years ago, it makes me think they probably won't be calling people anymore.
 
dopaminophile said:
Hmm... so it seems. Interestingly, if you log in and read the note from Richard Wallace he says that "...no decisions will be discussed via telephone or transmitted via e-mail at any time or under any circumstance." No doubt a consequence of the fiasco a few years ago, it makes me think they probably won't be calling people anymore.
Click to expand...

I am convinced that is just an official statement to ensure that they aren't inundated with phone calls. If you also look at the message on the opening page before you log in, it asks that you update your physical address and e-mail. They wouldn't care about the latter if it wasn't going to be used as some form of communication.
 
GuyLaroche said:
I am convinced that is just an official statement to ensure that they aren't inundated with phone calls. If you also look at the message on the opening page before you log in, it asks that you update your physical address and e-mail. They wouldn't care about the latter if it wasn't going to be used as some form of communication.
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Who knows... in less than a week we'll be getting letters. With all the shenaneghans at Duke a few years ago and with what seems to be happening at NYU this year, only a signed letter with my name on it will satisfy my neuroses. Then again, a phone call from Wallace or Armstrong would be nice :laugh:.
 
Hooray! Just a few more days and the letters will be in the mail.


question though: I heard what happened at Duke a few years ago but clearly I'm now behind the times... whats happening at NYU?
 
dopaminophile said:
That was posted in another thread. Do you remember where you heard it from? Did you also hear it from SDN or do you have a more direct source?
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Yeah, I got it from an SDN thread couple months back.

Three more days!! Well maybe a little more than that... the USPS BETTER whip my letter over quickly, is all I have to say 🙂
 
how many people on SND do you think are waiting to hear from Duke? 10, 15, more? it would be interesting to know if a higher percentage of SND users get in than applicants who never use SDN.
 
Dr. Donkey said:
how many people on SND do you think are waiting to hear from Duke? 10, 15, more? it would be interesting to know if a higher percentage of SND users get in than applicants who never use SDN.
Click to expand...

For the love of God (or something equally falsely mythical), why?
 
Dr. Donkey said:
how many people on SND do you think are waiting to hear from Duke? 10, 15, more? it would be interesting to know if a higher percentage of SND users get in than applicants who never use SDN.
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Eh... I think it'd be interesting to know too. We'll see... 28 people have posted in this thread and at least 2 of them are current Duke students. I think our plan is flawed in that those that get accepts are much more highly likely to post than those that get waitlisted or rejected.
 
dopaminophile said:
Eh... I think it'd be interesting to know too. We'll see... 28 people have posted in this thread and at least 2 of them are current Duke students. I think our plan is flawed in that those that get accepts are much more highly likely to post than those that get waitlisted or rejected.
Click to expand...

i'm interested to know as well. my sense is that sdn is more competitive than the general pool,overall but i'd like to see a poll to back that up. when the decisions go up, someone could make an anonymous poll to track post-interview rejects/waitlists/accepts for duke.
 
Dr. Donkey said:
how many people on SND do you think are waiting to hear from Duke? 10, 15, more? it would be interesting to know if a higher percentage of SND users get in than applicants who never use SDN.
Click to expand...
what happened to that interview thread... thats who is waiting
 
seethrew said:
what happened to that interview thread... thats who is waiting
Click to expand...

not necessarily- some may have cancelled their duke interview or have withdrawn post-interview
 
good point seethrew...add 'em up folks..

~L
 
so are the majority here looking for phone calls on monday night..cuz most likely... a letter sent on monday...is not going to actually reach you on monday...lol..🙂 let's try to be patient shall we?
 
LRmed2003 said:
so are the majority here looking for phone calls on monday night..cuz most likely... a letter sent on monday...is not going to actually reach you on monday...lol..🙂 let's try to be patient shall we?
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patience is a virtue I don't have... I want my letter NOW NOW NOW!
 
My GOD how wonderful it would be to get a phone call on Monday though...
 
😀 tru tru tru

g* :luck:
 
I agree- getting a call monday would be a dream. please, please...
 
dopaminophile said:
My GOD how wonderful it would be to get a phone call on Monday though...
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Do they call everyone who is accepted, or only a select few?
 
Tra La La said:
Do they call everyone who is accepted, or only a select few?
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Well the website says that they won't call or email anybody. The only valid response is a signed letter. That, understandably, is a response to a fiasco a few years ago where the website told a few rejectees they were accepted. I forget why, but there are some on here who expect a few calls to go out as well. Last year there weren't any calls reported on SDN.
 
Oh, how I wish I had all of your telephone numbers and a good telephone voice recorder. Come Tuesday morning I would have the funniest and possibly cruelest set of prank calls ever. Just kidding, that would be too mean...or would it???

Tra La La said:
Do they call everyone who is accepted, or only a select few?
Click to expand...
 
Dr. Donkey said:
Oh, how I wish I had all of your telephone numbers and a good telephone voice recorder. Come Tuesday morning I would have the funniest and possibly cruelest set of prank calls ever. Just kidding, that would be too mean...or would it???
Click to expand...

this reminds me, has anyone listened to the this american life piece about the girl who wrote her sister a fake admissions letter to her top choice and the sister buys it. the acceptance letter said something crazy like "congratulations! we are so happy you are going to be joining our cast of stars!". its a true story. to listen, go to thislife.org and listen to the "family legends" story (from 2004)
 
that's a pretty cool show in general. I remember hearing it on a road trip. just like the old glory days of radio, I guess.

CarleneM said:
this reminds me, has anyone listened to the this american life piece about the girl who wrote her sister a fake admissions letter to her top choice and the sister buys it. the acceptance letter said something crazy like "congratulations! we are so happy you are going to be joining our cast of stars!". its a true story. to listen, go to thislife.org and listen to the "family legends" story (from 2004)
Click to expand...
 
So I rank my consults. There are those who give me information, and I have to cross-check with higher ranked consults. These are ranked lowest on my list of consults. There are those who have access to information, and not my application in particular. I rank these a little higher. Then there are those who sit on the committee. I rank these a little higher still. Then, there are those who converse directly with the powers. These are the highest of my consults.... Well, so I ran into Dr. X, the highest of my consults, and here is the low-down:


Letters mailed on Monday. Calls by students @6 PM on Tuesday.
 
Im really interested in applying to Duke next cycle. However i heard that Duke's secondary is very long and is quite a pain in the ass. Those of you who have applied is Duke's secondary that bad or is it just a rumor. also ive read that Duke is a bit of a numbers *****. Any comments. thanks
 
jackets5 said:
Im really interested in applying to Duke next cycle. However i heard that Duke's secondary is very long and is quite a pain in the ass. Those of you who have applied is Duke's secondary that bad or is it just a rumor. also ive read that Duke is a bit of a numbers *****. Any comments. thanks
Click to expand...

Yes, the Duke secondary is a pain in the butt. People have been saying that Duke is a numbers *****, but if that's true, it applies more to post interview. I'm sorta on the dumb side (stats definietly aren't that hot).. but I still got an interview.
 
GuyLaroche said:
So I rank my consults. There are those who give me information, and I have to cross-check with higher ranked consults. These are ranked lowest on my list of consults. There are those who have access to information, and not my application in particular. I rank these a little higher. Then there are those who sit on the committee. I rank these a little higher still. Then, there are those who converse directly with the powers. These are the highest of my consults.... Well, so I ran into Dr. X, the highest of my consults, and here is the low-down:


Letters mailed on Monday. Calls by students @6 PM on Tuesday.
Click to expand...

I was just about to post (and I guess I still am) that Richard Wallace told me that letters would be mailed on Monday (he did not mention phone calls one way or the other, but it was also not really in the context of the conversation, sooooooooooo)...but this dude GuyLaroche seems PRETTY confident (wink wink) which would be super cool for all you guys and gals!!!!!
I am going to do everything in my power now to be on the ad com as a student JUST SO I CAN CALL a student or two up and say, "CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!! YOU ARE AWESOME AND COOL AND WE WOULD LOVE IT IF YOU CAME TO DUKE!!!!" and then hold the phone away from my ear as the screaming begins......that would be the 2nd best job behind being a doctor....
ahhhhhhh the joys of thinking about 3rd year......but I digress......back to the mountain of information I have to squeeze into my brain by Monday (the 1st test of the BRAND NEW Block III- Body and Disease)...
as always.....if you have any questions or if you just want to tell ANOTHER stranger that you got into Duke (or that Duke sucks bc they didn't take you) feel free to PM me......
 
GuyLaroche said:
So I rank my consults. There are those who give me information, and I have to cross-check with higher ranked consults. These are ranked lowest on my list of consults. There are those who have access to information, and not my application in particular. I rank these a little higher. Then there are those who sit on the committee. I rank these a little higher still. Then, there are those who converse directly with the powers. These are the highest of my consults.... Well, so I ran into Dr. X, the highest of my consults, and here is the low-down:


Letters mailed on Monday. Calls by students @6 PM on Tuesday.
Click to expand...

Whether or not this info. is correct, I'll have my cell glued to me all Tues. PM. It makes sense to me that there might be other notification besides snail mail because the website says snail mail is the only "official" mode of notification. Why include "official" if they planned to only send letters?

Wow, this is just a guessing game; I can't believe I'm posting this. Can someone say neurotic?
 
sigh. Mail around where I live is soooooooo slooooooow. Id be lucky to get it by friday.

(aka: Oh please, please, let me get a call.)
 
DukeDoc08 said:
I am going to do everything in my power now to be on the ad com as a student JUST SO I CAN CALL a student or two up and say, "CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!! YOU ARE AWESOME AND COOL AND WE WOULD LOVE IT IF YOU CAME TO DUKE!!!!" and then hold the phone away from my ear as the screaming begins......that would be the 2nd best job behind being a doctor....
Click to expand...

DukeDoc, you can call me to tell me I got in this year! I don't care if you're actually a member of the adcom or not or know whether I got in or not. Gimme a call and tell me I got in!
 
GuyLaroche said:
So I rank my consults. There are those who give me information, and I have to cross-check with higher ranked consults. These are ranked lowest on my list of consults. There are those who have access to information, and not my application in particular. I rank these a little higher. Then there are those who sit on the committee. I rank these a little higher still. Then, there are those who converse directly with the powers. These are the highest of my consults....
Click to expand...

:laugh: Taken out of context, your post would have made me think you were the godfather of an admissions mafia!!! Thanks for the info though 🙂
 
dopaminophile said:
DukeDoc, you can call me to tell me I got in this year! I don't care if you're actually a member of the adcom or not or know whether I got in or not. Gimme a call and tell me I got in!
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dopaminophile: i hope you get this one. obviously, duke is at the very top of your list. i'm rooting for you!

i did a regional interview...do you think that will change my chances of getting in?

thanks!
 
Tra La La said:
dopaminophile: i hope you get this one. obviously, duke is at the very top of your list. i'm rooting for you!

i did a regional interview...do you think that will change my chances of getting in?

thanks!
Click to expand...
Ah... thanks. I'd love to got there but I'm pretty far below their stats so I'm not expecting a whole lot. We'll see!

The website says that while they don't give preference to regional interviews, interviewing regionally has a slightly higher acceptance rate than on-campus interviews. Make of that what you will. All the best!
 
dopaminophile said:
Ah... thanks. I'd love to got there but I'm pretty far below their stats so I'm not expecting a whole lot. We'll see!

The website says that while they don't give preference to regional interviews, interviewing regionally has a slightly higher acceptance rate than on-campus interviews. Make of that what you will. All the best!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback!

I think my MCAT is lower than the Duke mean, but I'll still cross my fingers 🙂

Good luck. I hope that some Blue Devil love is heading your way next week!
 
Good luck to you too! We'll be the first classmates of '09 I'm sure... eek!
 
Shall we take bets on when the first notification will get to SDN?
 
Do we even know if they're calling? Waiting until Wednesday or Thursday for a letter to show up would be kind of anticlimactic.
 
Looking over last year's countdown thread...

The first round of letters was sent on a Friday and nobody got calls (on SDN anyway) on that Friday. The first letters started coming into peoples' mailboxes on Monday and people were called on Monday. More people got letters on Tuesday as well as phone calls. Over the next week, a few more people reported acceptances and one more phone call. Most of these folks also got an email about a 2nd look weekend at somepoint after their letter came. One dude got his email first. The first waitlists and rejections came about 10 days later and even though the admissions office said they were still sending accepts that late, none were reported in the thread.

So... it seems they do call some people, but not everyone.

My bet is that someone gets a phone call at 4PM eastern on 2/28.

Good luck!
 
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