Duke Part II

[EmbellisMaVie]

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I was referring the the Starbucks comment and subsequent winky. And you read my mind on the thai peezy.

Bwahahaha... it's all part of my master plan... perhaps you'll find out when you join us in Durham in the fall. 😀

 

[FemalesCANTDriv]

Bwahahaha... it's all part of my master plan... perhaps you'll find out when you join us in Durham in the fall. 😀

Well... I sure hope so. Here's to being in on all of the Duke inside jokes 🙄

 

[HumbleMD]

Bwahahaha... it's all part of my master plan... perhaps you'll find out when you join us in Durham in the fall. 😀

Embellis, are you passing up the UMich scholarship for Duke?

 

[gopherthegold]

Hey all, since you were all talking about leaning towards Duke, I thought I'd chime in and say I am too, but I'm waiting to get my fin aid package from Durham. I have all of my other finaid packages and as long as Duke gives me something competitive to that, I'll be in NC in August.

 

[husky0684]

Embellis, are you passing up the UMich scholarship for Duke?

embellis is actually the first medical student who will be attending 5 different medical schools come fall... she's got vandy, UVA, UMich, duke, wait I know I am leaving out some, what are the others?....attending just one medical school is soooo 2006.... haha just joshing you, embellis, and congrats on the grocery list of school choices 👍 👍 ...even though she won't fully admit it, she is a die-hard dukie just like the rest of the thread regulars...

 

[FemalesCANTDriv]

Hey all, since you were all talking about leaning towards Duke, I thought I'd chime in and say I am too, but I'm waiting to get my fin aid package from Durham. I have all of my other finaid packages and as long as Duke gives me something competitive to that, I'll be in NC in August.

hrm...

 

[HumbleMD]

Hey all, since you were all talking about leaning towards Duke, I thought I'd chime in and say I am too, but I'm waiting to get my fin aid package from Durham. I have all of my other finaid packages and as long as Duke gives me something competitive to that, I'll be in NC in August.

Man, everyone's coming around on Duke. I wonder why suddenly? Also, does anyone know if they give any scholarship need-based aid? I got a 10K bone thrown from WashU and was wondering about Duke, as it's the most expensive program I applied to...

Other random question for y'all, how do you think Duke keeps their avg. debt so low? It's a super expensive program, and they have few scholarships, and only 30% get funding for third year (not odds I'd bank on). Do you think there are an inordinate number of people at Duke with mom and dad paying for it? Does anyone go 250K in the hole for medical school?

 

[Dookter]

Man, everyone's coming around on Duke. I wonder why suddenly? Also, does anyone know if they give any scholarship need-based aid? I got a 10K bone thrown from WashU and was wondering about Duke, as it's the most expensive program I applied to...

Other random question for y'all, how do you think Duke keeps their avg. debt so low? It's a super expensive program, and they have few scholarships, and only 30% get funding for third year (not odds I'd bank on). Do you think there are an inordinate number of people at Duke with mom and dad paying for it? Does anyone go 250K in the hole for medical school?

Humble, I would seriously call the Finaid office about this one. I can guarantee that no one will know the answer to this question.

I would like to add, however, that there are actually several scholarships given out. You just won't get one...ha ha ha. Don't worry, I count myself as disqualified too. But between the people that are either MSTP [like 8% of the class], military [at least one person in our class and the class above us], minority on scholarship [several I think], NC resident with NC full scholarship [at least 2 in my class].... the point is that there really are several people on scholarship. Then my guess would be that at least the majority of the class gets somewhere between $a few K-$30K per year from the Duke grant.

And yes, some people will be $250K in the hole. Just not many.

 

[HumbleMD]

And yes, some people will be $250K in the hole. Just not many.

Yeah, I wasn't holding my breath for a full scholarship, especially from Duke (I feel honored enough just getting in). So I've done the math and have been thinking about this $250K figure, and do wonder if it means I really should just be going to a cheaper school that I can afford? I'd love to go to Duke, Penn, etc, but I just don't know if I can afford it. I mean, the average debt of graduates is around $110K nationally, if my budget would be double that, should that be telling me something? Am I doing something wrong or have false expectations? Does anyone else do the full $250K in loans?

Speaking of financial aid, has anyone gotten their package yet, or know when estimates go out? The only fact I could find said they'd be out "as soon as our software is complete" (and we all know Duke's track record with software).

And I still think Duke's debt average is low becuase of all the mom and dad money...

 

[Dookter]

Yeah, I wasn't holding my breath for a full scholarship, especially from Duke (I feel honored enough just getting in). So I've done the math and have been thinking about this $250K figure, and do wonder if it means I really should just be going to a cheaper school that I can afford? I'd love to go to Duke, Penn, etc, but I just don't know if I can afford. I mean, the average debt of graduates is around $110K nationally, if my budget would be double that, should that be telling me something? Does anyoen else do this all on loans?

And I still think Duke's debt average is low becuase of all the mom and dad money...

The problem with that argument, Humble, is that Duke med students are literally not any different than other medical students, especially at other top medical schools. I think you'd be surprised that mommy and daddy have been supporting the vast majority of medical students in some way or another for some time. And so even if we ignore the probably 20% or so of every Duke medical class that has a full ride somehow [minority scholarship, MSTP, military, etc] and do assume that mommy and daddy are paying for everyone....what does this have to do with you?? Your debt will be the same regardless. If you have cheaper options [I know you're in at UMich and Baylor, right?], then take the cheaper options, especially since your cheaper options are still top schools. But believe me, you're going to get to any medical school and find out that mommy and daddy are supporting many students... Some people will have more money than you, some people will be able to buy a house, some people will drive really nice cars, some people will go on nice vacations that you can't afford, some people will be able to go out constantly when you can't because you're buying groceries instead....but you know what? You'll encounter the same people by going shopping at the mall. It's just life.

 

[HumbleMD]

The problem with that argument, Humble, is that Duke med students are literally not any different than other medical students, especially at other top medical schools. I think you'd be surprised that mommy and daddy have been supporting the vast majority of medical students in some way or another for some time. And so even if we ignore the probably 20% or so of every Duke medical class that has a full ride somehow [minority scholarship, MSTP, military, etc] and do assume that mommy and daddy are paying for everyone....what does this have to do with you?? Your debt will be the same regardless. If you have cheaper options [I know you're in at UMich and Baylor, right?], then take the cheaper options, especially since your cheaper options are still top schools. But believe me, you're going to get to any medical school and find out that mommy and daddy are supporting many students... Some people will have more money than you, some people will be able to buy a house, some people will drive really nice cars, some people will go on nice vacations that you can't afford, some people will be able to go out constantly when you can't because you're buying groceries instead....but you know what? You'll encounter the same people by going shopping at the mall. It's just life.

Yeah, inequality is indeed a fact of life, but there is definitely more pretension in some areas than others. That aside, so in your opinion, you would say its probably better to go with the cheaper yet still top school options? Out of curiousity, what made you bite the bullet and shell out for the Duke education? What was your compelling reason. I'm trying to gather opinions and viewpoints...

 

[Stolenspatulas]

Speaking of financial aid, has anyone gotten their package yet, or know when estimates go out? The only fact I could find said they'd be out "as soon as our software is complete" (and we all know Duke's track record with software).

I just called today. She looked me up in the system and told me that my letter is actually complete (I turned in the info very fast), but that I would have to wait until they fix the computer problems before they can hand me my award letter. She estimated within the next 2 weeks (bear in mind, my award letter is already complete... I'm not sure how much longer for people who turned in the fin aid info later..).

 

[HumbleMD]

I just called today. She looked me up in the system and told me that my letter is actually complete (I turned in the info very fast), but that I would have to wait until they fix the computer problems before they can hand me my award letter. She estimated within the next 2 weeks (bear in mind, my award letter is already complete... I'm not sure how much longer for people who turned in the fin aid info later..).

Oy. Why can't they just do things on paper?

 

[Stolenspatulas]

does anyone know when the $100 deposit is due?

 

[HumbleMD]

does anyone know when the $100 deposit is due?

I'd guess May 15 like everyone else...

 

[Stolenspatulas]

I'd guess May 15 like everyone else...

Im not at home and I just had that eerie feeling that its before May 15th... I just want to make sure I don't miss it.

 

[HumbleMD]

Im not at home and I just had that eerie feeling that its before May 15th... I just want to make sure I don't miss it.

I'll check the ltter next time I head home. I don't beleve there were any schools that had an odd April deposit deadline - I think it's within two weeks, or else May 15 (the letter of intent was due 21 days or something after the acceptance - maybe that's what you're thinking of?)

 

[Stolenspatulas]

I'll check the ltter next time I head home. I don't beleve there were any schools that had an odd April deposit deadline - I think it's within two weeks, or else May 15 (the letter of intent was due 21 days or something after the acceptance - maybe that's what you're thinking of?)

nah i turned in that. ah I bet your right and its May 15th.

 

[Dookter]

Yeah, inequality is indeed a fact of life, but there is definitely more pretension in some areas than others. That aside, so in your opinion, you would say its probably better to go with the cheaper yet still top school options? Out of curiousity, what made you bite the bullet and shell out for the Duke education? What was your compelling reason. I'm trying to gather opinions and viewpoints...

Yes, I would go to the cheaper schools unless the price difference is something you can handle. That's really up to you to decide.

For me, I didn't really have the options that you probably have. I applied to 7 places. I got into my 2 state schools, WashU, Duke, and Emory. I was waitlisted at Vandy and Baylor. One of my state schools did not really interest me in the end. The other I liked, but it wasn't anywhere near Duke or WashU in my mind. It also isn't cheap. The budget suggested it would be $160,000 after 4 years. You can automatically at $10K to that just by tuition increases alone. So when comparing that to Duke and WashU after getting good amounts of free aid, it was a no brainer. If I had been choosing between Duke or Penn and a place like Baylor where you can buy a place and get in-state tuition, etc, I would have gone to Baylor. For me I was faced with either a totally NON-top school or Duke or WashU for around the same price....easy enough decision.

 

[HumbleMD]

Yes, I would go to the cheaper schools unless the price difference is something you can handle. That's really up to you to decide.

For me, I didn't really have the options that you probably have. I applied to 7 places. I got into my 2 state schools, WashU, Duke, and Emory. I was waitlisted at Vandy and Baylor. One of my state schools did not really interest me in the end. The other I liked, but it wasn't anywhere near Duke or WashU in my mind. It also isn't cheap. The budget suggested it would be $160,000 after 4 years. You can automatically at $10K to that just by tuition increases alone. So when comparing that to Duke and WashU after getting good amounts of free aid, it was a no brainer. If I had been choosing between Duke or Penn and a place like Baylor where you can buy a place and get in-state tuition, etc, I would have gone to Baylor. For me I was faced with either a totally NON-top school or Duke or WashU for around the same price....easy enough decision.

Yeah, I'd have made the same decision in your case. Thanks so much for sharing. And I totaly agree with you about a certain Atlanta school - just why is it so expensive? They seem awfully pleased with themselves...

 

[husky0684]

but that I would have to wait until they fix the computer problems before they can hand me my award letter.

😆 does anyone else find this hilarious? is duke's IT department just awful or is this year an isolated incident? Maybe they should switch to Macs.......

 

[Dookter]

Yeah, I'd have made the same decision in your case. Thanks so much for sharing. And I totaly agree with you about a certain Atlanta school - just why is it so expensive? They seem awfully pleased with themselves...

I was not referring to Emory as the non-top school in my decision-making process. I was referring to my expensive state school.

However, I didn't even really look twice at Emory after getting into Duke and WashU since it is hella expensive!!

 

[Dookter]

😆 does anyone else find this hilarious? is duke's IT department just awful or is this year an isolated incident? Maybe they should switch to Macs.......

What is funny is that RIGHT at this moment I am on SDN b/c the powerpoint messed up....ha ha ha

 

[Stolenspatulas]

😆 does anyone else find this hilarious? is duke's IT department just awful or is this year an isolated incident? Maybe they should switch to Macs.......

they've given out Macs to the students before... (duke gives first years a new laptop for school...and by give... i mean makes them purchase one)

 

[pagemmapants]

Does anyone go 250K in the hole for medical school?

*raises hand*


. . . EDIT: It'll actually be around. . . $230k. If you add my mortgage that makes it >$300k. This is assuming I take out all of the loans next year (which I doubt) and if I don't get a 3rd year scholarship (somewhat unlikely, given my propensity for applying for things early).

I really wish I hadn't just done that math.

However, there's also the small factor of the MAJORITY of those loans being deferrable until after residency. Pick a random specialty I'm interested in . . . liiiiike. . . general surgery and you're looking at a jump from a resident salary of <$50k one year to making >$200k the next year; I think that extra $150k I won't be used to having will be going pretty much directly to those unsub staffords. Thank heaven there're no early payment penalties.

 

[FemalesCANTDriv]

(I feel honored enough just getting in).

Hmmm... so is that why you were talkin all that noise about Duke before admissions were given out about how you hated the school, etc, etc???

 

[gopherthegold]

😆 does anyone else find this hilarious? is duke's IT department just awful or is this year an isolated incident? Maybe they should switch to Macs.......

Well they just hired away one of the top computer scientists at the U of MN, so they should get him on this thing ASAP!

 

[ryandote]

Hmmm... so is that why you were talkin all that noise about Duke before admissions were given out about how you hated the school, etc, etc???

HA! I remember that. Of course, anybody has the right to change their opinion, but I am a little curious about the turn-around.

In fact, I'm pretty curious about the original reason for Humble's disappointment with Duke. From a few comments here and there it seems to have stemmed from an Interview Day experience.... but the only *different* group experience I remember from that day was getting chewed out for chatting too loudly in the applicant "lounge." <- And Wallace was absolutely right...we were LOUD.

Just musing, as I wouldn't expect or encourage publicly airing any personal dirty laundry....but it might be nice for the rest of us to hear what has recently impressed HumbleMD about Duke ...


EDIT: I've been just lurking again for a few weeks, but don't forget to include me in the Duke faithful/hopeful. "Duke c/o 2011 Waitlist" --- that almost deserves to be my signature itself!

 

[HumbleMD]

HA! I remember that. Of course, anybody has the right to change their opinion, but I am a little curious about the turn-around.

In fact, I'm pretty curious about the original reason for Humble's disappointment with Duke. From a few comments here and there it seems to have stemmed from an Interview Day experience.... but the only *different* group experience I remember from that day was getting chewed out for chatting too loudly in the applicant "lounge." <- And Wallace was absolutely right...we were LOUD.

Just musing, as I wouldn't expect or encourage publicly airing any personal dirty laundry....but it might be nice for the rest of us to hear what has recently impressed HumbleMD about Duke ...


EDIT: I've been just lurking again for a few weeks, but don't forget to include me in the Duke faithful/hopeful. "Duke c/o 2011 Waitlist" --- that almost deserves to be my signature itself!

We were way loud. There was this one kid who was practically shouting.

I don't have to defend my decisions and changes in opinions to anyone, especially FCD. If you'd like to know why I was upset at the interview, PM me. The turnaround to still considering Duke is what happens after a "cooling off" period, and realizing I shouldn't react to an institution because of the opinions of 2-4 people.

 

[FemalesCANTDriv]

We were way loud. There was this one kid who was practically shouting.

I don't have to defend my decisions and changes in opinions to anyone, especially FCD. If you'd like to know why I was upset at the interview, PM me. The turnaround to still considering Duke is what happens after a "cooling off" period, and realizing I shouldn't react to an institution because of the opinions of 2-4 people.

Humble said that he had a bad interview experience because the interviewer basically discouraged him from working with more disadvantaged populations at Duke or something along those lines. I think that was when I talked to Humble in person at the interview... back when he was a nice person and not condescending to all who ask questions on sdn.

 

[JohnMadden]

It appears to me that Duke med students don't have too much time to get involved with community activities.

 

[ryandote]

We were way loud. There was this one kid who was practically shouting.

It was the kid from NYU! He was such a goofy sucker, I liked him. Kid from NYU, if you are on here, please identify yourself!

 

[husky0684]

It appears to me that Duke med students don't have too much time to get involved with community activities.

I can personally attest for two duke third year( now 4th) students who were exotremely involved in community activities and even incorporated this community outreach into their research project. I think community involvement in medical school is entirely dependent on the student, not on the school. If you want to get involved with the community, then there is always ample opportunities to do it for those motivated to do so.

 

[Cardiologist]

It was the kid from NYU! He was such a goofy sucker, I liked him. Kid from NYU, if you are on here, please identify yourself!

hey.. I met a kid from NYU during second look..maybe it's the same guy..Ya he's a little goofy and loud. But I liked him🙂 He was funny..

 

[pagemmapants]

Heeey, I was there in the admission's office on a day people got chewed out by RW. I can't imagine it happening too frequently. Me = short brunette who also talks loud; maybe I actually went to the lunch that day (not a frequent occurrence). . .

 

[ryandote]

Heeey, I was there in the admission's office on a day people got chewed out by RW. I can't imagine it happening too frequently. Me = short brunette who also talks loud; maybe I actually went to the lunch that day (not a frequent occurrence). . .

Let's see...you had dark eyes and a little "A-line" haircut, right? Maybe a Northface backpack...maybe not... but it was definitely some kind of sporty daypack because I think it had a hipbelt and sternum strap.

Am I way off?

 

[HumbleMD]

So I just got an "anonymous" comment notification on my MDApplicants page:

ROTFLMAO...😳....HumbleMD tries to act like a badass in this forum by making snide remarks all over these threads. In all truth, if you ever say anything contrary to Humble, he will instantly PM you beggin and pleading with you to stop and basically crying so hard I'm surprised his computer didn't short. All in all, Humble you just need to learn how to act around other ppl. You obviously don't know how to do it on the forum. Luckily in real life you have learned to sit there and keep your mouth closed so just try to stick to that same strategy on the forum and you should be fine

Seriously, this kid needs to give it up. Although I do find all the attention, negative or otherwise, quite flattering.😉

 

[pagemmapants]

Let's see...you had dark eyes and a little "A-line" haircut, right? Maybe a Northface backpack...maybe not... but it was definitely some kind of sporty daypack because I think it had a hipbelt and sternum strap.

Am I way off?

Ehmmmmmmm. . . I don't *think* I had my backpack that day - I usually lug around a brown leather tote and have my hair in a ponytail. Hazel eyes.

 

[ryandote]

Let's see...you had dark eyes and a little "A-line" haircut, right? Maybe a Northface backpack...maybe not... but it was definitely some kind of sporty daypack because I think it had a hipbelt and sternum strap.

Am I way off?

Ehmmmmmmm. . . I don't *think* I had my backpack that day - I usually lug around a brown leather tote and have my hair in a ponytail. Hazel eyes.

Apparently, I am way off...

ouch.

 

[FemalesCANTDriv]

Ehmmmmmmm. . . I don't *think* I had my backpack that day - I usually lug around a brown leather tote and have my hair in a ponytail. Hazel eyes.

I remember that same day there was some lady in the admissions office with us. She was like a TA or something for anatomy at Duke but was also interviewing or something??? Does anyone remember her??? Was that you pagemma or do you know who I'm talking about? I can't remember you either. I think I might have seen you in the admissions office but I'm not sure.

 

[FemalesCANTDriv]

36 days.

 

[EmbellisMaVie]

Embellis, are you passing up the UMich scholarship for Duke?

Hahaha... I don't even have a scholarship from UMich. Unless you know something about my financial aid package that I don't?

 

[HumbleMD]

Hahaha... I don't even have a scholarship from UMich. Unless you know something about my financial aid package that I don't?

Whoah, for some reason I mixed you up with Lorienne... hmm...

 

[pagemmapants]

I remember that same day there was some lady in the admissions office with us. She was like a TA or something for anatomy at Duke but was also interviewing or something??? Does anyone remember her??? Was that you pagemma or do you know who I'm talking about? I can't remember you either. I think I might have seen you in the admissions office but I'm not sure.

Nope that weren't I - I'm a lowly MS1 who came straight from undergrad. Interestingly, though, I'm nowhere near the youngest in the class. We have some babies. 😛 That's ok, if I met you I prolly don't remember you either. Most of the past 6 months is a complete blur.

 

[EmbellisMaVie]

And yes, I am really terrible about my med school decisions.

But hey, I'm withdrawing from Case Western this week! Progress! That's good, right?

 

[Dookter]

It appears to me that Duke med students don't have too much time to get involved with community activities.

Time is an issue sure, but we still do stuff. Right now I'm teaching a health and sex-ed class to high schools kids in Durham with some of my classmates..

 

[diosa428]

I remember that same day there was some lady in the admissions office with us. She was like a TA or something for anatomy at Duke but was also interviewing or something??? Does anyone remember her??? Was that you pagemma or do you know who I'm talking about? I can't remember you either. I think I might have seen you in the admissions office but I'm not sure.

Hey that's Ann! She was my anatomy lab instructor. Not a TA though, she has a PhD in anatomy and has been teaching it at Duke Med for several years. I wonder where she's going next year....

 

[FemalesCANTDriv]

Time is an issue sure, but we still do stuff. Right now I'm teaching a health and sex-ed class to high schools kids in Durham with some of my classmates..

HEY-Durham??? 🙂

 

[Dookter]

HEY-Durham??? 🙂

HEY-Texas!

Sorry, could not resist. And yes, that's the one.

 

[FemalesCANTDriv]

HEY-Texas!

Sorry, could not resist. And yes, that's the one.

It's interesting cuz I just heard about that program from Burnsie like a day ago. Sounds like a really great program. It's funny cuz I was actually hoping to find a program like that and sure enough... there it is.