Duke Part II

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Okay, kids, this thread only has two stars? What's going on?

Incidentally, I'm posting to you from a drizzly St. Louis, where I've been wined and dined to near exhaustion. Man, the decisioning process is only getting harder. However! This thread is still cooler than the WashU one right now.

Also, now I want my aid package so I can figure out how much I need to drink to make my depression about med school debt go away.
 
Good luck with the drinking/decisions Embellis... I was wondering about the stars too... who the hell is doing that???

31 days.

:luck: :luck: :luck:
 
My package sucks. I will be withdrawing...
 
JohnMadden said:
My package sucks. I will be withdrawing...
Click to expand...

*tries very hard to prevent self from making inappropriate "package" comment* 😀

Sorry to hear it, Madden. Best of luck wherever you end up!
But just a note - if you have some kind of "bargaining chip" (i.e. scholarship somewhere else) it is possible to haggle with the financial aid office. I did. Sure, it didn't get me from like 0% to like 50%, but it made a big enough difference to cut out some of the annoying 8.5% gradPLUS loans. Also: they don't tell you this, but there's a "study" going on right now that they enroll volunteers in first year that can get you up to $2k/year extra. However, there are 3 tiers: @ $2k/year, $800/yr, and like $200/year depending on the level of involvement of the group you're put in - and it's a lottery system as to which group you're put in. Some lucky b*stards get good free money, though, and for not doing much extra except filling out surveys.
 
pagemmapants said:
*tries very hard to prevent self from making inappropriate "package" comment* 😀

Sorry to hear it, Madden. Best of luck wherever you end up!
But just a note - if you have some kind of "bargaining chip" (i.e. scholarship somewhere else) it is possible to haggle with the financial aid office. I did. Sure, it didn't get me from like 0% to like 50%, but it made a big enough difference to cut out some of the annoying 8.5% gradPLUS loans. Also: they don't tell you this, but there's a "study" going on right now that they enroll volunteers in first year that can get you up to $2k/year extra. However, there are 3 tiers: @ $2k/year, $800/yr, and like $200/year depending on the level of involvement of the group you're put in - and it's a lottery system as to which group you're put in. Some lucky b*stards get good free money, though, and for not doing much extra except filling out surveys.
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Yo, don't underestimate what we had to do. We had to drag that damn computer from the bone room EVERY LAB DAY. AND fill out a survey about my stress levels once a week. So don't even act like I didn't earn that 2k per year for the rest of school. (PS - since they already know we have the money for next year, I bet they magically decrease my scholarship money).

Madden, sorry to hear about your fin aid. I, too, recieved much less than I thought I would. But you have lots of great options, so good luck!
 
pagemmapants said:
*tries very hard to prevent self from making inappropriate "package" comment* 😀
Click to expand...

:laugh:

Seriously, though, I am sorry to hear you didn't get good aid at Duke. You do have a lot of great options though. Good luck to you wherever you end up, Madden.

Also, is anyone else as confused about financial aid as I am... I'm not talking Duke financial aid (obviously cuz I'm Mr. Waitlister over here), but I mean just in general. Is anyone else confused by all of the paperwork and choosing as I am (btw I am a first time borrower... that's what public undergrad will do for you 😕 )?
 
FemalesCANTDriv said:
:laugh:

Seriously, though, I am sorry to hear you didn't get good aid at Duke. You do have a lot of great options though. Good luck to you wherever you end up, Madden.

Also, is anyone else as confused about financial aid as I am... I'm not talking Duke financial aid (obviously cuz I'm Mr. Waitlister over here), but I mean just in general. Is anyone else confused by all of the paperwork and choosing as I am (btw I am a first time borrower... that's what public undergrad will do for you 😕 )?
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First-time-borrower here, too, and confused as hell. My wife and I were lucky enough to pay for both of our undergraduate educations without any loans or parent help. (Going to an EXTREMELY cheap private school helped)

I don't plan on getting any need-based aid or scholarships, so that probably simplifies things, right? Just sign on the dotted line...
 
I'm glad you caught on to my humor!!! Did you get the withdrawal part too?

Either way, Duke is a great place and I wish everyone well.
 
JohnMadden said:
pagemmapants said:
*tries very hard to prevent self from making inappropriate "package" comment* 😀

I'm glad you caught on to my humor!!! Did you get the withdrawal part too?

Either way, Duke is a great place and I wish everyone well.
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A-ha! Hopefully pulling out is more effective for you than for high schoolers on prom night.

Seriously, though, thanks for opening up a spot for some of us waitlisters who are really excited about Duke.
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Hey, good luck to all of you first year's on your test tomorrow/today since it is already technically Monday I guess. I know yall will rock it! :luck:

30 days!!!

:luck: :luck: :luck:
 
FemalesCANTDriv said:
Hey, good luck to all of you first year's on your test tomorrow
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IT'S OVERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR. :hardy:

By the way, don't assume on pharm tests that they'll always put the name of the drug in the question stem. Sometimes they give you just the disease and ask you what the drug and MOA are! 😱 Sure, I can recreate the word "zolmitriptan" from memory. . . . ROIGHT.

:::facefirst onto desk. . . snoooooooooooooooooore:::
 
pagemmapants said:
IT'S OVERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR. :hardy:

By the way, don't assume on pharm tests that they'll always put the name of the drug in the question stem. Sometimes they give you just the disease and ask you what the drug and MOA are! 😱 Sure, I can recreate the word "zolmitriptan" from memory. . . . ROIGHT.

:::facefirst onto desk. . . snoooooooooooooooooore:::
Click to expand...

I was just telling someone else that you MS I's that post on this Duke thread crack me up, and people say people at top tier schools have no personality.. muahahaha you guys are funny as hell a lot of times.

Oh and congrats on getting your exam over. I have a very good friend waiting to get off the WL. Hope it works out for her. I'm praying it does.
 
pagemmapants said:
IT'S OVERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR. :hardy:

By the way, don't assume on pharm tests that they'll always put the name of the drug in the question stem. Sometimes they give you just the disease and ask you what the drug and MOA are! 😱 Sure, I can recreate the word "zolmitriptan" from memory. . . . ROIGHT.

:::facefirst onto desk. . . snoooooooooooooooooore:::
Click to expand...

:laugh:

Good work! Now off to bed for you.
 
gujuDoc said:
Nice stuff
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😀 😀 😀

Well, fingers crossed! If they do get off the WL, be sure to let us know and we'll keep an eye out. (Gotta know who to target for mass indoctrination [corruption?] during orientation).
 
MrBurns10 said:
No! Not off to bed! And do you know why? Because they put a MANDATORY class for 1pm after our test that took almost 3 hours for me to finish. #@%$!

Somewhat appropriately, it's on ADD...
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Oh man... that is so messed up. Ironical topic for the class :meanie:

Thanks for your help 👍 😍
 
I know it's only 12:02 but whatever...

29 days.

:luck: :luck: :luck:
 
*hates the need access form with a burning deep-seated passion*
I'm a medical student. I HAVE NO INCOME STOP ASKING ME!
 
pagemmapants said:
*hates the need access form with a burning deep-seated passion*
I'm a medical student. I HAVE NO INCOME STOP ASKING ME!
Click to expand...

Ha. I got through like on page of that last night and then emailed my mom and told her that I can't do it so she needs to.
 
TORNADO WARNING IN LUBBOCK, TX!!! I'm stuck on campus in the biology building in the basement. It is hailing sideways outside :scared:
 
:laugh: I think Mr. Wallace needs to hear about FCD's emergency response plan.

Step 1) Rush to computer and post on Duke thread
Step 2) Search for cover
 
Dr Durden said:
:laugh: I think Mr. Wallace needs to hear about FCD's emergency response plan.

Step 1) Rush to computer and post on Duke thread
Step 2) Search for cover
Click to expand...

! hilarious
 
Dr Durden said:
:laugh: I think Mr. Wallace needs to hear about FCD's emergency response plan.

Step 1) Rush to computer and post on Duke thread
Step 2) Search for cover
Click to expand...

Ya maybe I should write an update saying that I came and posted on sdn just to make sure if anything happened to me... people would know my last deed was to try to warn others of the impending tornado in Lubbock, TX... or something like that....

.... mostly I was just bored though cuz they had more or less forced us all into the basement. Lame.
 
FemalesCANTDriv said:
Ya maybe I should write an update saying that I came and posted on sdn just to make sure if anything happened to me... people would know my last deed was to try to warn others of the impending tornado in Lubbock, TX... or something like that....

.... mostly I was just bored though cuz they had more or less forced us all into the basement. Lame.
Click to expand...

Glad to hear you survived. I certainly hope your enthusiasm for the school no matter the weather gets rewarded on May 16.
 
pagemmapants said:
😀 😀 😀

Well, fingers crossed! If they do get off the WL, be sure to let us know and we'll keep an eye out. (Gotta know who to target for mass indoctrination [corruption?] during orientation).
Click to expand...

hahaha! Yeah definitely will let you know if they get the good news. Its their first choice much like it is for FCD.😛
 
Dr Durden said:
Glad to hear you survived. I certainly hope your enthusiasm for the school no matter the weather gets rewarded on May 16.
Click to expand...

Thanx, Durden. I just had a total freak out moment. So check this... I'm at home chatting on AIM instead of studying for biochem. All of a sudden, I notice my msg boxes are acting funny while I am switching between them. 15 minutes later, my keyboard stops working. My mouse still works... but no keyboard. I figure it is just cuz my comp sux since it is like 5 years old (and it's a PC, boo) so I just turn it off and back on. Well, that was a bad idea. When I turn it back on... I get the login page. Unfortunately, the keyboard still doesn't work. So now I have access to nothing on my comp or my desktop... including my LOI!!!!!!! So I realize I can just go get a keyboard but I'm not tryin to spend that kind of money. So anyhoo, I rush to another comp to see if I have the LOI on my email... and I DO!!!!!! Man, that was a close one!
 
Kind of strange that only one Duke full-ride scholarship recipient is piping up, and he/she had the nerve to start a new thread about it instead of posting it to the beloved Duke Part II thread 👎 ...haha just kidding, but did any of you acceptees that post here often get a dukie scholarship?? if so congrats, I would hope that would seal the deal for you but if not then all the better for us waitlisters!! :biglove: .....sorry i just really wanted to use this crazy new smiley...
 
husky0684 said:
Kind of strange that only one Duke full-ride scholarship recipient is piping up, and he/she had the nerve to start a new thread about it instead of posting it to the beloved Duke Part II thread 👎 ...haha just kidding, but did any of you acceptees that post here often get a dukie scholarship?? if so congrats, I would hope that would seal the deal for you but if not then all the better for us waitlisters!! :biglove: .....sorry i just really wanted to use this crazy new smiley...
Click to expand...

I think the guy's a troll, unless people that clueless actually exist in real life.
 
FemalesCANTDriv said:
Thanx, Durden. I just had a total freak out moment. So check this... I'm at home chatting on AIM instead of studying for biochem. All of a sudden, I notice my msg boxes are acting funny while I am switching between them. 15 minutes later, my keyboard stops working. My mouse still works... but no keyboard. I figure it is just cuz my comp sux since it is like 5 years old (and it's a PC, boo) so I just turn it off and back on. Well, that was a bad idea. When I turn it back on... I get the login page. Unfortunately, the keyboard still doesn't work. So now I have access to nothing on my comp or my desktop... including my LOI!!!!!!! So I realize I can just go get a keyboard but I'm not tryin to spend that kind of money. So anyhoo, I rush to another comp to see if I have the LOI on my email... and I DO!!!!!! Man, that was a close one!
Click to expand...

Heh, I have a tendency to leave stuff like that on my e-mail account because I'm paranoid... which is usually a good thing, except that means I unexpectedly went over my school account limit (1 GB) and haven't gotten any e-mails over the last 12 hours. Who'd've thought you could get to 1 GB worth of e-mails over the course of one school year? I'd say it's pretty impressive, but my school's mail servers are less than impressed.
 
husky0684 said:
Kind of strange that only one Duke full-ride scholarship recipient is piping up, and he/she had the nerve to start a new thread about it instead of posting it to the beloved Duke Part II thread 👎 ...haha just kidding, but did any of you acceptees that post here often get a dukie scholarship?? if so congrats, I would hope that would seal the deal for you but if not then all the better for us waitlisters!! :biglove: .....sorry i just really wanted to use this crazy new smiley...
Click to expand...

Sweet! I didn't even see those before. "Super Duper Smilies." Adorable. This one is my favorite: :beat:

SDN cracks me up. 😆
 
I mentioned this in the Duke Scholarship vs. Hopkins thread.... but I figure I should also mention it here:

Duke has an estimated $1490 living allowance. That equates to $17,880 for the first year.

I live in Durham and I spend much less than $1490 per month, and I guarantee I go out more now then I would as a med student.

Also, I talked to fin aid, and they told me that 37 third-years received scholarships usually ranging from $10K - $25K last year. The year before 47 received the scholarships. Its a lot more favorable to receive money than people are speculating. Remember some of the 100 students you are competing with are inelligible for this third-year scholarship for research: those doing dual-degrees (MSTP, MD/MPH, etc).
 
Stolenspatulas said:
Also, I talked to fin aid, and they told me that 37 third-years received scholarships usually ranging from $10K - $25K last year. The year before 47 received the scholarships. Its a lot more favorable to receive money than people are speculating. Remember some of the 100 students you are competing with are inelligible for this third-year scholarship for research: those doing dual-degrees (MSTP, MD/MPH, etc).
Click to expand...

You bring up a good point with the dual-degree students. Definitely something to consider when it comes to financial aid. Also, don't forget that if you do decide to pursue a dual degree, in some programs, you have to take a leave of absence from the med school and pay tuition to the other program (e.g., School of Public Policy, UNC's School of Public Health); if there's a price difference, you'll have to factor that into your plans, as well.

In another thread, one of the current students also mentioned that there are a number of scholarships that go unclaimed each year. Assuming it's for a field you're interested in, it's mostly a matter of paying attention to all the announcements and staying on top of deadlines. Also, in talking to the first and second years at Second Look, I got the impression that many of them felt that funding for third year was actually pretty easy to get, again, provided that you stay on top of deadlines, put in the effort, etc.
 
I think the reason Duke looks so much more expensive is that their budget is for 12 months of the year while all the traditional schools only budget for nine. If you compare year 2 at Duke with year 3 everywhere else though, it's almost exactly the same. I know I'm not going to let the fact that I can't make a few bucks over the summer factor into my decision.
 
Yall bring up good points about FinAid. I think the main one to remember is the 12 month schedule. Personally, I'm highly in favor of the schedule cuz you don't have to worry about having a small amount of down time during which you can't really accomplish much. (Like yall didn't know I loved Duke....) :bow:

Ya... these new smileys rule.

28 days!

:luck: :luck: :luck:
 
Dr Durden said:
I think the reason Duke looks so much more expensive is that their budget is for 12 months of the year while all the traditional schools only budget for nine. If you compare year 2 at Duke with year 3 everywhere else though, it's almost exactly the same. I know I'm not going to let the fact that I can't make a few bucks over the summer factor into my decision.
Click to expand...

Plus at other schools, your 3 month summer where you can earn a few bucks = 3 months where you're working your ass off for pennies in some lab somewhere. Ick. Here? Your living expenses can be covered by loans which, while not ideal, makes it so that you don't have to worry about earning your gruel. Also, the 3 weeks you DO have off can be fully devoted to pickling yourself in rum on a beach somewhere nice. The Caribbean is in close proximity.
 
EmbellisMaVie said:
You bring up a good point with the dual-degree students. Definitely something to consider when it comes to financial aid. Also, don't forget that if you do decide to pursue a dual degree, in some programs, you have to take a leave of absence from the med school and pay tuition to the other program (e.g., School of Public Policy, UNC's School of Public Health); if there's a price difference, you'll have to factor that into your plans, as well.

In another thread, one of the current students also mentioned that there are a number of scholarships that go unclaimed each year. Assuming it's for a field you're interested in, it's mostly a matter of paying attention to all the announcements and staying on top of deadlines. Also, in talking to the first and second years at Second Look, I got the impression that many of them felt that funding for third year was actually pretty easy to get, again, provided that you stay on top of deadlines, put in the effort, etc.
Click to expand...

Actually, I'm not sure how it works with the other dual degree programs, but for the MPH at UNC, you pay Duke tuition, and then (if and only if) you have established residency in NC, Duke will pay for your instate tuition at UNC. If you decide to do the MPH elsewhere, you are responsible for paying both Duke tuition and the tuition of the school you attend. I think that this only counts for one third year though - if your second degree program lasts for 2 years, for example, I'm pretty sure you only have to pay Duke tuition for the first year.
 
diosa428 said:
Actually, I'm not sure how it works with the other dual degree programs, but for the MPH at UNC, you pay Duke tuition, and then (if and only if) you have established residency in NC, Duke will pay for your instate tuition at UNC. If you decide to do the MPH elsewhere, you are responsible for paying both Duke tuition and the tuition of the school you attend. I think that this only counts for one third year though - if your second degree program lasts for 2 years, for example, I'm pretty sure you only have to pay Duke tuition for the first year.
Click to expand...

Wait... so you can go other places??? Crazy...
 
Dude, our 3rd years are all over the freaking country. You can pretty much do another degree wherever you want or research wherever you want as long as the 3rd year committee approves it - which doesn't really take a lot of effort from what I've heard. They seem to be really accepting of students who take time to plan something out and present it well. Plus the "restrictions" of a lot of the scholarships are kind of. . . . lenient. From what I hear the Sarnoff scholarships, while nominally are meant for cardiovascular research, you can make almost anything apply. Physiologically speaking, of course, anything that happens in the body relates back to the heart somehow so it's just a matter of presenting what you want to do in the appropriate manner. And you can do those almost anywhere as well.
It's a pretty sweet deal overall. I'm def. looking forward to 2008-2009. Hell, I'm def. looking forward ot all of 2009 - elective away rotations, w00t! (Dear Pediatric Surgery department of the University of Washington - I would give my left arm to come be on your team for 8 weeks. However, then I wouldn't be a very good surgeon, so will you let me come anyway?)
 
pagemmapants said:
(Dear Pediatric Surgery department of the University of Washington - I would give my left arm to come be on your team for 8 weeks. However, then I wouldn't be a very good surgeon, so will you let me come anyway?)
Click to expand...

:laugh: You sound like me except insert Duke for UW. That's awesome that yall can do whatever wherever pretty much. Freakin Duke rules at life!:bow:
 
Hey guys,

Two questions...do Duke students tend to do as well on the USMLE Step 2 in spite of not being on the wards their third year? Is there an opportunity for 3rd years doing research to still spend some time on the wards?

And I noticed in looking at the match list for this year that there were only four general surgery residency matches...current students, do you have any insight into this?

So I guess that was three questions...sorry 🙂

Thanks!!
 
rje2484 said:
Hey guys,

Two questions...do Duke students tend to do as well on the USMLE Step 2 in spite of not being on the wards their third year? Is there an opportunity for 3rd years doing research to still spend some time on the wards?

And I noticed in looking at the match list for this year that there were only four general surgery residency matches...current students, do you have any insight into this?

So I guess that was three questions...sorry 🙂

Thanks!!
Click to expand...


I know nothing about the USMLE II, so I can't answer that one. As for working on the wards during third year, I also do not know. Most people covet the third year, so I doubt many people want to give much of it up, especially when 4th year is right around the corner. As for only 4 in gen surgery, I take that to mean that those were the 4 people that wanted to do general surgery. What else could it mean? It definitely doesn't mean that we can't match people into surgery. It's not even that hard of a field to get into.
 
rje2484 said:
Hey guys,

Two questions...do Duke students tend to do as well on the USMLE Step 2 in spite of not being on the wards their third year? Is there an opportunity for 3rd years doing research to still spend some time on the wards?

And I noticed in looking at the match list for this year that there were only four general surgery residency matches...current students, do you have any insight into this?

So I guess that was three questions...sorry 🙂

Thanks!!
Click to expand...

Hey,

I already responded to your PM, but I'll answer again in case anyone has any questions. I don't know anything about Step II, but during third year, if you do research at Duke, you're actually required to work in a clinic 1/2 a day per week (to keep your skills up) and if you're away from Duke, you have to spend your first month back doing clinical skills stuff before they let you back on the wards.

For general surgery, this year's class just seemed kind of odd. There were a ton of peds matches. I guess they just had different preferences. Right now, I think almost everyone in my class wants to do Surg, EM or Rads, so our match list will likely be very different.
 
I have nothing intelligent to add to the convo so I'll just do my daily duty.

27 days!

:luck: :luck: :luck:
 
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