Duke-NUS GMS

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well team GMS is a sort of lecture cum tutorial that is peculiar to Duke-NUS basically u are given a problem and asked to think about it at home then when u get to school u are asked to answer questions based on the problem first alone then as a team. For the team GMS sessions that are scheduled during the interview days they try to replicate the kind of learning style that students at the school actually do every week. it is quite similar to the problem based learning that most australian graduate schools have the only difference is that in normal schools you have two years to study basic clinical science but at Duke-NUS you get only one year before you are thrown in to the public hospitals so it really takes a lot of self study. I can't really talk to much about my experiences as the school wants every applicant to experience it on their own but overall I can say that it was totally new and refreshing. Good luck with your interviews be it at san fran or duke.:xf:
 
i have a jan 9 interview at durham.. can you tell me about your experiences w/ the duke-nus interview? id appreciate any advice/insight thanks!

Hi, congrats on getting an interview!

Actually I am going to Durham on the 9th as well. So I guess I will see you there lol. Are you from the states? Lol I think i may plan an extended stay in Durham for a mini vacation 😛

Hmmmm advice, just be yourself, know your application in and out, feel comfortable in talking to new people and don't over practise.

But I guess we will see on the 9th. Just message if you have any questions.
 
well team GMS is a sort of lecture cum tutorial that is peculiar to Duke-NUS basically u are given a problem and asked to think about it at home then when u get to school u are asked to answer questions based on the problem first alone then as a team. For the team GMS sessions that are scheduled during the interview days they try to replicate the kind of learning style that students at the school actually do every week. it is quite similar to the problem based learning that most australian graduate schools have the only difference is that in normal schools you have two years to study basic clinical science but at Duke-NUS you get only one year before you are thrown in to the public hospitals so it really takes a lot of self study. I can't really talk to much about my experiences as the school wants every applicant to experience it on their own but overall I can say that it was totally new and refreshing. Good luck with your interviews be it at san fran or duke.:xf:

Thanks so much for the description. That was really helpful🙂 At first, I thought it was like "team" games lol

PBL & other self study oriented programs are really becoming popularized in these intensive programs. Its fairly common in NA.
 
thanks for the information biomd and onestepatatime.
but is it the same for the format in US and Singapore? (that means the applicants have to stay for at least 2 days?)
anyone can share the experience in singapore's interview? Thx
 
Hi, congrats on getting an interview!

Actually I am going to Durham on the 9th as well. So I guess I will see you there lol. Are you from the states? Lol I think i may plan an extended stay in Durham for a mini vacation 😛

Hmmmm advice, just be yourself, know your application in and out, feel comfortable in talking to new people and don't over practise.

But I guess we will see on the 9th. Just message if you have any questions.


have you received any details yet? i tried to call and confirm that i will be able to attend the interview that day but the number goes to a generic voicemail box. i sent an email but i havent heard back. but the interview invite email said they'd send more info later...?

PS: congrats to you too!
 
basically for the interview in singapore you go to the school in the morning at 8 and they talk about the school for around an hour this is followed by a Team GMS session then after that you go for two interviews back to back of about 20-30 mins each with a member of the faculty. During interviews its just you and the faculty member in the room so there is no need to be nervous try to relax they will talk to you in a very friendly manner so think of them as future colleages. Also remember that the interviewers are there to help you convince the rest of the admissions committee why you should be given a place and the interview is impt in that it allows them to understand you so they can plead your case with others who have not seen you. after the interview there is lunch provided where you get to speak to faculty members and current students of the school. finally after lunch is over you take an on the spot essay after which they verify your documents and have a debrief and then you can go home and begin the long wait till acceptance.
 
I'm juz wondering, that some strong candidates have already received their interview invites. But what is meant by "strong"? Guess I'm very nervous abt this... as I'm placing all my eggs in one basket so to speak, since all I want is to be a doc...
 
don't worry your interview invite is probably stuck in the system, right now the admissions office is pretty much swamped so it might take awhile till you receive your invite. As to the definition of "strong" candidates I guess it means having a near perfect GPA but not so for the MCAT I guess. Most singaporeans don't have much help preparing for the MCAT thus the average score isn't very high. among singaporeans the avg MCAT score is probably 29-30. I think that overall the school looks at your application as a whole rather than just at your results. Anyways think of it in a positive light the later your interview the more time you have to ready yourself for the big day also it means you have a shorter wait till the interview results are released in april 09.
 
dun worry blacktalon
i am also waiting for their invites
just update each other here as long as we hear anything, ok?
 
have you received any details yet? i tried to call and confirm that i will be able to attend the interview that day but the number goes to a generic voicemail box. i sent an email but i havent heard back. but the interview invite email said they'd send more info later...?

PS: congrats to you too!

Yes I received my details. If you received an invite, you should get the details real soon by email since the interview is only 3 weeks away. So expect one this week or next. No worries. Stay positive.
 
I'm juz wondering, that some strong candidates have already received their interview invites. But what is meant by "strong"? Guess I'm very nervous abt this... as I'm placing all my eggs in one basket so to speak, since all I want is to be a doc...

First thing, do not put yourself down. Every applicant has his/her strengths (some with great GPAs, MCAT scores, publications, community services etc) The range of experiences makes every applicant unique.

However, what really sets everyone apart is his/her intention/reasons/understanding to enter medicine especially at Duke NUS, his/her maturity, the essays, and how others perceive him/her ( your refs./ interviews). I am sure everyone wants to be a physician, but do you know why its the field for you?

Anyways, think positive, and if you believe your application is strong, hope for an invite. 👍
 
Thanks everyone... I guess I'm juz very nervous. Just graduated and putting off permanent employment until I hear from Duke-NUS, so lots of time at home to brood about this.

Frankly I don't really know why it's what I want. It's hard to explain, and part of the reason for my anxiety. I keep thinking that the admissions people will be able to tell that I don't have specific reasons for wanting to be a doc. For me, I just am not interested in other careers. If I'm not accepted into Duke, I'd need to search for another job but nothing seems even remotely interesting. I'm sure all of you have specific reasons for wanting this career, but as you can see, it's more of a feeling than anything.
 
blacktalon, i understand ur feeling, this is exactly what i felt after my graduation sometimes ago.
but better dun put all the eggs in one basket.
in my opinion i think it will be better if u can find a research/science/medical related job, that will add marks in ur resume and show that u r really interest in this field.
also, try to figure out y u really want to be a docduring this waiting period, its not convincing for the panel if there is nothing solid to proof. of cos that's just what i think. cheers.
 
Well, I have applied for internship at the local hospital... and I'm looking for a science-related job.

Good point about trying to figure out the reason I want to be a doc. Thanks!
 
figuring out why you want to be a doc is definitely one of the hardest questions to answer. It takes time to really figure out why, it could be personal, but I think with any similar life-altering decision, you need to take time to really think about it to make sure it's what you want to do (not what anyone else wants you to do).
 
Nah, in my case everyone is telling me that med school is really tough and asking if I really want to do this. I'm the one pushing myself. I just got the rejection letter from Vanderbilt. Starting to think I'm a weak candidate... sigh... anyone in singapore got their invite yet?
 
I have completed the interview. The team session may not be an assessing process but an opportunity to have a try of the learning method of dukenus.
Take it easy about the interview, just relax
 
Dukenus, when did you submit your secondary? I haven't heard from them since I submitted it on 16/12
 
i also submitted mine on 16/22, since then no news from them, i also didnt received their email for completed documents...did u get it?
 
They have the holiday began in 20/12.
Maybe you should wait another two weeks after they end their holiday.

i also submitted mine on 16/22, since then no news from them, i also didnt received their email for completed documents...did u get it?
 
about one week before the interview invitation
be patient, because there may be other batches of interview in Jan. and Feb.
Dukenus, when did you submit your secondary? I haven't heard from them since I submitted it on 16/12
 
dukenus, thanks for ur information so that i can relax and take 2 weeks holidays as well..cheers
 
LOL I totally forgot about the holidays.

Travis, I didn't get any notification email, but I did call Tammie before I submitted my primary and she confirmed that they received everything.
 
I would like to know if anyone knows how competitive Duke-NUS students are for US residencies. So how will this be different from having MD degree from Duke?

thx
 
I would like to know if anyone knows how competitive Duke-NUS students are for US residencies. So how will this be different from having MD degree from Duke?

thx
If ur want to seek US residencies, you'd better attend MD program in US. There is a working bond in Duke NUS.
 
I don't mind working in Singapore 5 yrs or more after training, but is it possible to do residency/fellowship in US and come back to Singapore to fulfill the bond requirement?
 
I don't mind working in Singapore 5 yrs or more after training, but is it possible to do residency/fellowship in US and come back to Singapore to fulfill the bond requirement?

It is possible, according to the Duke-NUS FAQ page (http://www.duke-nus.edu.sg/index.php?Admissions/FAQs#Bond):

"As far as possible, Duke-NUS graduates should pursue their residency training in Singapore. MoH (Ministry of Health) will however consider applications by students to pursue post-graduate training overseas under the following circumstances:

  • Personal reasons (e.g. to accompany their spouse who were sent overseas)
  • Lack of specialized courses or residency programs in Singapore.
Please consult MoH if you wish to go overseas for your postgraduate training. The period of your postgraduate training overseas however will not be counted towards your existing service commitment."


During my interview, they said that the Ministry of Health (who you serve your service bond with) will consider such requests on a case-by-case basis. If you get accepted to a very prestigious residency program or want to enter a very specialized residency program, they would be more inclined to let you go.

However, I don't know how easy or likely this would be given that Duke-NUS has not had a graduating class yet. I would encourage you to contact Dr. Kamei at Duke-NUS for more detailed information.

Good luck! Happy holidays everyone!
 
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Happy Holidays everyone!
Hope the Singapore interviews went well!

Can't wait till the New Year! 🙂
 
Hey guys, anyone got the invitation to Applicant Interview Day on 13 Jan? I just received the invite. 🙂
 
yay! just got accepted. very excited!! good luck everyone!!
 
yay! just got accepted. very excited!! good luck everyone!!

Accepted as in a place in the next cohort? Wow, congrats! I'm still at the interview stage. Any tips on how to prep? 😕
 
i interviewed in the US. you should know why you want to become a doctor. you should think about why you want to go to this school. i think the hardest part, for me, is being coherent and substantiating the answers without sidetracking so much. i think there are other intangible aspects as well. it's a big vague but i'm not very good at interviewing. pm me if any q's. good luck everone!
 
yay! just got accepted. very excited!! good luck everyone!!

Congrats on your acceptance! That's very exciting. How did they notify you of your acceptance?
 
i interviewed in the US. you should know why you want to become a doctor. you should think about why you want to go to this school. i think the hardest part, for me, is being coherent and substantiating the answers without sidetracking so much. i think there are other intangible aspects as well. it's a big vague but i'm not very good at interviewing. pm me if any q's. good luck everone!


Congrats labgod! You are now set!
It is a bit nerve wrecking just waiting to go next week... Hopefully we will all join ya soon.
 
blacktalon congrat on ur invite, btw when u get the notification, i still cant receive anything, so nervous!
 
labgod congrats on ur acceptance! u must be great that they send out their offer so early becos it seems that they send out the offer earliest in feb for last yr's admission
 
Hey guys, just another regular aspiring clinician scientist here. Personally, I'd prefer the term "doctor". 🙂

I submitted my primary on 22 Nov, and my WES evaluation only got in to Tammie last week. YEAH! I KNOW RIGHT! Haven't received my secondary at all! Getting a LIIIIIITLE worried. Ok, fine. I am worried.

Happy holidays everyone!
 
Hey guys, just another regular aspiring clinician scientist here. Personally, I'd prefer the term "doctor". 🙂

I submitted my primary on 22 Nov, and my WES evaluation only got in to Tammie last week. YEAH! I KNOW RIGHT! Haven't received my secondary at all! Getting a LIIIIIITLE worried. Ok, fine. I am worried.

Happy holidays everyone!

Don't worry, hopefully you will get the secondary in January and get an interview in February. Are you applying from Singapore or elsewhere?
 
Congrats! I just got accepted too! Do you know by which date we are supposed to withdraw from other programs? Or do we need to do it at all?

Best of luck to those who are still in the process of applying and interviewing!
 
It is possible, according to the Duke-NUS FAQ page (http://www.duke-nus.edu.sg/index.php?Admissions/FAQs#Bond):

"As far as possible, Duke-NUS graduates should pursue their residency training in Singapore. MoH (Ministry of Health) will however consider applications by students to pursue post-graduate training overseas under the following circumstances:

  • Personal reasons (e.g. to accompany their spouse who were sent overseas)
  • Lack of specialized courses or residency programs in Singapore.
Please consult MoH if you wish to go overseas for your postgraduate training. The period of your postgraduate training overseas however will not be counted towards your existing service commitment."


During my interview, they said that the Ministry of Health (who you serve your service bond with) will consider such requests on a case-by-case basis. If you get accepted to a very prestigious residency program or want to enter a very specialized residency program, they would be more inclined to let you go.

However, I don't know how easy or likely this would be given that Duke-NUS has not had a graduating class yet. I would encourage you to contact Dr. Kamei at Duke-NUS for more detailed information.

Good luck! Happy holidays everyone!


So, what was the purpose of setting up a US styled graduate medical school in Singapore if they don't encourage their students to get overseas training? Are they looking for more general practioners, or are they looking for researchers?
My impression was that Singapore wanted to encourage attracting people interested in academic medicine and research, especially people who undergo prestigious specialty training in US.

So, what specialty options are available in Singapore after graduating from Duke-NUS?

thanx
 
Hi everybody. I've already sent my application to GMS but I think my MCAT score was too low so I'll prepare to take an exam again in 2009. I try to search all bookstores in singapore and can find only 1 or 2 MCAT books so I think is it better for anyone who want to take MCAT exam next year to share the materials or even set up a study group? 🙂
 
Congrats! I just got accepted too! Do you know by which date we are supposed to withdraw from other programs? Or do we need to do it at all?

Best of luck to those who are still in the process of applying and interviewing!

Congratulations Fuzi and Labgod!
in response to your question, you have to check your acceptance letters to see when the last day to respond to their offer is. It is different for every school.

Fuzi and labgod, I know this is fuzzy territory, but I am curious about the financial aid packages. Are your offers reflecting the global financial downturn at all? Or do you think the package is reasonable?
 
So, what was the purpose of setting up a US styled graduate medical school in Singapore if they don't encourage their students to get overseas training? Are they looking for more general practioners, or are they looking for researchers?
My impression was that Singapore wanted to encourage attracting people interested in academic medicine and research, especially people who undergo prestigious specialty training in US.

So, what specialty options are available in Singapore after graduating from Duke-NUS?

thanx

I think you are right in your impression that Singapore does want to attract people interested in academic medicine and research because they want to make Singapore a biomedical research hub.

My thoughts are that they do not encourage students to get overseas training because they want to ensure that their graduates stay and get licensed to practice in Singapore. That way they will engage in clinical and research work in Singapore itself. If they could easily defer the service bond and complete residency in the states, they might be tempted to live and practice there and pay off the service bond once they have made enough money.

Anyway, I'm just speculating. Honestly, I don't really know why they would not want a graduate to complete prestigious specialty training abroad.

Another purpose of a graduate medical school is to attract local students who have completed a bachelor's degree to pursue medicine as other graduate-entry medical programs do not exist in Singapore.

As to what specialty options are available, at my interview they said that Duke-NUS is still ironing out the details of the residency training process in Singapore with the MoH. If I remember correctly, nine types of residencies will be available initially. I don't recall all of the ones that were mentioned but I think IM, EM, Peds, Ob/Gyn were named (someone correct me if i'm wrong). If the residency placement you want is not available, i'm sure they'd be more likely to let you go abroad.

Hope this helps!
 
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I agree with you. They need the graduates from Duke NUS to stay in Singapore for the biomedical development. And this program is biomedical research based.
I think you are right in your impression that Singapore does want to attract people interested in academic medicine and research because they want to make Singapore a biomedical research hub.

My thoughts are that they do not encourage students to get overseas training because they want to ensure that their graduates stay and get licensed to practice in Singapore. That way they will engage in clinical and research work in Singapore itself. If they could easily defer the service bond and complete residency in the states, they might be tempted to live and practice there and pay off the service bond once they have made enough money.

Anyway, I'm just speculating. Honestly, I don't really know why they would not want a graduate to complete prestigious specialty training abroad.

Another purpose of a graduate medical school is to attract local students who have completed a bachelor's degree to pursue medicine as other graduate-entry medical programs do not exist in Singapore.

As to what specialty options are available, at my interview they said that Duke-NUS is still ironing out the details of the residency training process in Singapore with the MoH. If I remember correctly, nine types of residencies will be available initially. I don't recall all of the ones that were mentioned but I think IM, EM, Peds, Ob/Gyn were named (someone correct me if i'm wrong). If the residency placement you want is not available, i'm sure they'd be more likely to let you go abroad.

Hope this helps!
 
congrats! Hope I can also get the acceptance soon. Btw, you also attended the interview in Nov?
Congrats! I just got accepted too! Do you know by which date we are supposed to withdraw from other programs? Or do we need to do it at all?

Best of luck to those who are still in the process of applying and interviewing!
 
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