OFFICIAL Duke Med Class of 2007

[banannie]

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i figured it was time to start one of these . . .

and i'm really, really bored . . .


So, who's going to be at Duke with me in August????

 

[jojomo]

Hi Banannie,

I'll be gong to Duke next year too. I'm already here as a grad student in clinical psychology and am looking forward to 4 more years. I wonder if people would be interested in having some sort of get together before the year starts???

 

[Zonata]

I had a great time during revisit (my first visit). Although I am still thinking about the schools in the Bay Area where I am waitlisted, I am not holding my breath because Duke seems like it offers so many amazing and unique opportunites.

Anyway, good to talk to future classmates.

All the best,
Z

 

[Madjimbo1]

bannanie,
I'm heading to Dook next year...as soon as I get over the ACC-wide hatred (I'm at Wake Forest right now) of those cursed Blue Devils 😉 As for a get-together, sounds good even if we get the (always entertaining) awkwardness that comes from throwing together 100 people who don't know each other... Can't wait!
Madjimbo1

 

[ActionJackson1]

I am definitely head to Duke Med and Durham this fall. I really had a blast at 2nd Look and just felt that everyone was really fun, brilliant, and interesting all at the same time. As for some early get togethers or "med school class bonding" time, both Phish and Dave Matthews are headed to Raleigh within the first six weeks of school and those would be really good concerts. Other good concert alternatives would be B-52s for those of us who like 80s music and the Counting Crows/John Mayer concert. I am sure more cocnerts will open up as we get closer to that time.

 

[annagreene]

ActionJackson,

Fabulous plan for the concerts!

I'm moving up in July. When are you guys moving to the area...
Blue Devil Bound...

 

[phdmed07]

Got to hand it to you Dukies...That 1st year sounds scary...2 years done in one. I dont know if you guys will even have time for concerts. Im headed to Greenville for more peaceful and slower pastures. ECU MED here I come.

 

[banannie]

I'm hoping to move in mid-late July, if I can get a lease that starts then. Otherwise, I guess it'll be August 1st.

Does anyone know what the first day of orientation is?

Are we doing a camping trip this year?

A concert sounds like such a great idea! Much better than the Devil's Den, anyway. 😛

 

[lyric_bari]

Oh I'm sure we'll find a free evening here and there for some concerts and for hitting Franklin Street. Although I did just talk to a resident from ECU who said a fellow FP resident of his who went to Duke was still suffering from PTSD from that first year... Make an audio tape to listen to while you sleep, chanting "P=MD, P=MD..."

Banannie, I expect to get a free ride or two once we get settled in, k? Where is everyone living??? Can't wait for August - go Blue Devils!!!

 

[banannie]

please, let's have no more talk of PTSD and other such things! i'd rather be in denial about that. 😀 seriously though, i have talked to lots of Duke students, and every single one of them thought the 1st year was totally manageable. during 2nd look, it seemed to me that the students were having lots of fun, even the night before an exam!

and just think, one year from now, we will be almost done our basic science, forever! we'll have all of July to recover, without feeling obligated to spend the summer doing research (since we'll have all of 3rd year for that!). and then, instead of having to psych ourselves up for another long year of classroom work, we get to go directly to the wards and do the good stuff.

personally, i am so excited for school this year!

 

[TommyGunn04]

If anyone wants info about housing I'd be glad to help. There are lots of great deals to be had right now, with a few months of free rent, etc., because so many people in this area have been buying instead of renting. Also, some places have a refer-a-friend program. So if you give the name of a current resident (a 2nd year, 3rd year, etc.), you get a bonus and can split it with that person. Deals and steals everywhere! 🙂

 

[lipid]

i'm there guys. george's garage, here i come! 😀 ...so tell me more about housing. tommygunn04, do you suggest renting or buying? and what are you guys doing about cars? i need to buy one, should i buy it over there? totally down for the concerts. can't wait for this.

 

[banannie]

Lipid, my avatar twin, congrats on getting into Duke!!!

So where's everyone living next year? I found a great air fare, so I'm flying down to Durham this weekend to look at apartments.

In case anyone hasn't seen it, check out aptratings.com It was kind of a disappointment to see that 2 of the complexes I really liked had low ratings and some scathing reviews . . . although I am enormously relieved I found out about their problems before I signed a lease!

 

[IntlMD07]

Check out Trinity Properties. Their office is close to West Campus but they have property all over the place. I went to duke and lived in the Georgetown Apts, which are close to East campus and very quiet. Close to West (where Med school is) they have Campus Walk which is across the street from the overpriced Belmont. The Belmont is very nice, has a pool and everything, but on the other hand tends to be the party spot for seniors and gets VERY loud during the academic year. I remember the med students complaining last year about how awful it was - keep that in mind. I think TP has a website. Living close to East is awesome (jogging trails, gym, residential area), walking distance to 9th street, which is about the only thing to do in Durham. If you have any qs about specific places, let me know, I would be glad to help.

 

[VienneseWaltz]

Don't live in Waterford Village--management sucks. Anyone who wants to PM me about apts, etc., feel free. I'm here for a couple more months before moving to B-more. 😛

banannie, you DO need a car in Durham. I don't know whether it's cheaper here--you're in Boston, right? It probably IS cheaper here, then, but I really don't know ...

 

[banannie]

yes, it is much, much cheaper in NC than Boston. i know i have to give in and get a car, but i'm hoping to put if off for as long as possible! it would be ideal to live somewhere within walking/biking distance to campus . . . i'll be living with my boyfriend, who does have a car, so other than getting to/from school, i can manage without my own car, at least while the weather's nice . . .

does anyone know anything about the West Village apartments? the general consensus about that place seems to be that it's beautiful, but pretty noisy.

can anyone highly recommend any complexes/neighborhoods? or is there anywhere you'd strongly recommend that I stay away from?

also, are there actually any places in durham that don't have problems with thin walls, soundproofing, etc? i'll probably go crazy if i live in an apartment where I can hear everything my neighbors say or do.

FYI: orientation is supposed to start on August 4th, and the camping trip is probably going to be on August 1st.

 

[VienneseWaltz]

There are some nice (as in, inexpensive but still safe) neighborhoods near the hospital where you can probably rent a house for what you'd pay for a nice apartment, so if you have a roommate it's quite affordable. Unfortunately, I don't know any realtors to recommend (most of them do property management, ie, leasing, as well), but try the yellowpages.

Banannie, as long as you have access to a car, you should be fine the first year, if you bike/walk to class (which should be easy), but in the 2nd year you will want to have car b/c you don't want to walk to the hospital after dark. Oh, and I meant that it might be cheaper to buy a car here b/c the cost of living is lower. But as a lot of people in Boston use public transportation, I don't know--it might be cheaper there ... The weather doesn't turn nasty until December or so (and even then it doesn't compare to Boston 😉 ), although it's been really rainy this year ...

 

[rocky150]

I actually lived in West Village for a semester, while I was at Duke. Its a great place to live, with mostly professionals instead of college kids. The security is great too, and there is an nice Italian restaurant on premise. The only downside is that the walls are paper thin. If an answering machine goes off next door, you can literally hear the message. I'm not sure if all of the buildings are that bad though. Hope that helps.

 

[jojomo]

When I first moved to Durham I lived in Copper Mill Apartments. Its about 15 minutes from Duke. The residents are mostly professionals and graduate students so its fairly quiet and the apartments are pretty nice. I think the Woodcroft and Hope Valley Farms areas (Southwest Durham) are nice if you are looking for a house to rent or buy. If you don't mind living about 20-30 minutes away you can rent a nice house that's in more rural or forested areas. My wife and I live in northen Orange County. It's a long ride (about 35 minutes form Duke) but we found a house to rent on a quiet lake for $750/month. Then again, I'm probably old (31) compared to most of you guys and I like quiet (boring) areas...

 

[amk10]

Hi there,
I'm a graduate of Duke undergrad, and I just wanted to share with you some of my apartment experiences.
I lived in Deerfield apartments on Constitution Drive. It's quiet, woodsy, and very friendly. The apartment managers are the nicest I've every dealt with and are VERY attentive to anything you need. The pool (and jacuzzi) are open year round, which is very nice. The apartments are solid - I rarely heard my upstairs neighbors, maybe cause the floors are carpeted, but it doesn't really matter. It's not the cheapest place to live in Durham, but it is only a 5 minute drive to the hospital.
Right now I'm living with my boyfriend in Beech Lake apartments. It's further from campus (about a 10 minute drive) but it's just as quiet. I do hear my neighbors a little more, but I think it's cause this apartment complex is quite a bit older than deerfield.
Anyway, either is a good choice, but if you want proximity, don't go with the Belmont (too many undergrads live there) - Definitely check out Deerfield. I totally fell in love with it when I saw it. It's a little more pricey, but a shared two bedroom is definitely affordable. If you have any questions, I'll be happy to help in any way I can - just PM me.

 

[Special Kay]

Here's some more housing info -

I finished Duke undergrad last year and I still live in Durham at Lenox West. These townhouses are own by Ticon Properties: www.ticonproperties.com. You guys may have already heard of this place because probably 10% of each class lives here! I swear this place must be 90% Duke Med students. It's incredibly cheap ($940 for 3 bdrms, $760 for 2 bdrms), built in 1997 I think, 5 min from the hospital, very spacious (my 3 bdrm is 3 floors with 1640 square feet). When I shopped around for apartments last year, I combed through every Durham apt and never found a better deal. It's definitely popular, so sign up soon. You might be placed on a waitlist but you'll probably get a place in a month. I waited 3 weeks for mine after bugging the property office every other day.

Good luck at Duke! It's a wonderful school!

 

[lipid]

i don't know what to do... i'm on the waitlist at lenox for a one-bedroom apt (i don't know exactly where i am, but i'm like 12th or something). i could get a deerfield two-bedroom by the beginning of aug, but i need to find a cool/considerate roommate (which i don't have at this point). i could try to get a one-bedroom apt at deerfield but i'll have to wait until august 20th or something - i guess i'd live with family friends until then (hoping that they'd be ok with that). the deerfield lady's on my case about how she wants an answer about the two-bedroom by today and the lenox people can't access the system to tell me exactly where i am. some advice would be great.

 

[TommyGunn04]

I second the Ticon Properties (ticonproperties.com) suggestion. I currently live in a Ticon-owned complex called New Haven Apartments. Ticon is an amazing company. They've always been astoundingly pleasant to deal with, and they even pay police officers to live in the neighborhood to make sure everyone's safe (not that it's a problem in this part of Durham anyway).

New Haven is almost identical to the Lenox, but the waitlist is much more likely to be non-existent! 🙂 I got my apartment in mid-July of last year, no problem. Of course, it's farther from campus, but actually it takes the same amount of time, or perhaps even a bit less, to get to class, because my commute is ALL HIGHWAY on an older highway that has very little traffic. People coming from the Deerfield, the Forest, the Lenox, etc., have to travel roads with low speed limits and traffic lights. So even though I drive to class during "rush hour" every day, I've never been stuck in traffic aside from the one time there was an accident, because 147 is an older highway that isn't used as much as 40, 85, and 15-501. It's definitely a great place to be.

Also, the area where New Haven Apartments is located is VERY close to the airport (less than five minutes!), and is on the edge of the rapidly-growing RTP, so there's a Target Greatland, Wal-Mart Supercenter (those are the ones with the grocery stores inside), BJ's Wholesale Club, Winn-Dixie supermarket, Dick's Sporting Goods, any kind of fast food you could ever want, ridiculous amounts of furniture stores, etc. etc., all within 5 minutes!

So although very few of my classmates live in this area (5 or 6 of us), I'd argue that it's one of the best spots in the Durham area to be! And my rent is significantly cheaper than the Deerfield's, etc. I pay $535/mo for a huge one-bedroom place that came with a washer and dryer, and even a dishwasher, and electronically controlled central air/heating, installed horizontal blinds, ceiling fans, etc. etc.!

Let me know if you're interested and I can get you $200 off your first month's rent through the referral program, since I live here now.

😀

 

[TommyGunn04]

So if you don't want to weed through my crazy long message, here's the gist of it:

Ticon Properties is the best! Their service is unparalleled, their rents are the cheapest, their properties are the newest and nicest, and if you don't want to wait on the wait-list at the Lenox, try Ticon's "New Haven Apartments." www.ticonproperties.com

 

[TommyGunn04]

so where'd everyone end up deciding to live?

 

[banannie]

i'll be living at the archstone university tower. i'm pretty excited about my apartment! they have a really good deal going on, where you pay no fees, and you get a free washer and dryer for a year (some places charge you $40/month!)

so is anyone moving in a few weeks ahead of time? i might be down there as early as July 18th and would love to get together with some people to explore and enjoy NC while we still have free time!

oh and tommygunn, thanks for defending the duke curriculum in the duke vs. penn thread. 😉 i'm getting really psyched for august!

 

[lipid]

i'm living in this newish place called north pointe commons or something. it looks nice. unfortunetly i won't be able to party it up by moving in early. as of right now i'm thinking like july 31 or aug 1st. should i move in earlier? i am giving myself enough time to settle in? ...and banannie is absolutely right - good job on the penn vs. duke thread tommy.

 

[annagreene]

I cannot wait to meet all you guys! My soon-to-be husband and I are moving into West Village apartments. Apparently, some of the apartments are worse for sound issues than others...Or so I am told. Being hopeful on the paper-thin front...

Until George's Garage...Let me know where you guys end up.

 

[docman]

This might seem like a silly question b/c I'm prob. the only person who doesn't know the answer.

Do we need to bring our own laptop to Duke with us? Or does the school provide us each with one?

Thanks.

 

[lyric_bari]

Originally posted by docman
Do we need to bring our own laptop to Duke with us? Or does the school provide us each with one?

Thanks.

Hey docman - as I understand it, Duke requires that you purchase the Dell laptop through the school... ends up costing somewhere around 3k (someone correct me if I'm wrong?). They give you money for it in the yearly budget if you're taking out loans.

Sooo... when is everyone moving out to Durham? I'll be there on the 15th and would love to grab a beer with anyone interested. annagreene, see you on the 19th!

 

[Zonata]

Where did you all decide not to go over Duke?

 

[annagreene]

the decision came down to penn and duke.

my fiance and i are moving in next week. anyone else who is moving in early and wants to go out...let me know! i'm up for some fun in durham...

bananie, let's do drinks when you get in town. do you know your number at your place yet?

 

[Zonata]

the other school you mentioned is in the equation, along with the Bay Area schools. What was the determing factor for you?

Thanks and best regards.

 

[gonflable]

seems I remember the tech fee (laptop) only being something like $1750 on the bill. Is that right? That's not really too much of a rip, then.

 

[jojomo]

Hey annagreene,

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding. I'm glad that there will be other married folks in our class! Now I just need to find someone over 31 so that I'll know I'm not the oldest...

 

[docman]

bump

 

[VienneseWaltz]

Originally posted by iamhere
Hey Future Duke MD's, I asked this question in other posts, but was wondering if anyone has themselves or knows someone who is going to a top med school like duke who did well on the mcat, but had a lousy writing score. I am a plain white male and got an N on writing but high 30's overall. PM me or whatever if you had a similar situation. Thanks people

You have had your question more than answered in the thread you started on this topic. You posted this same question on the Hopkins thread, too. The "class of" threads are for those class members to get to know each other, not to repeatedly answer your neurotic questions.

 

[Madjimbo1]

I think that the laptop fee is for each of the first two years, so it's 3300 (1650/year). The saving graces are that it's a pretty nice computer and it's covered by your FA since it's a fee.

If anyone wants to chat, drop me a line on IM at Madjimbo1.

 

[VienneseWaltz]

Originally posted by iamhere
VWALTZ,

Sorry. I didn't mean to ruin someone's thread. I just haven't met too many people with a similar situation. I know people responded, but I wanted to hear from more than 3 in a population in the thousands. Also, if these "class of" threads are only for those people going to be in that class in order to get to know one another, then why are you in the Duke and Hopkins thread?....all threads are open to anyone...it is an open forum. I don't mean to be a d*@k. I just want some more answers to my question that is all.

I was posting on this thread because I live in Durham and therefore have some information that the new Duke students might find useful. I posted on this thread earlier and have answered PMs regarding places to live in Durham, which is relevant to the thread.

You are not going to find anyone who can tell you whether you can get into Duke and Hopkins with a 37N. You have had a dozen people tell you that if your PS and other essays are good, your writing score (which isn't that bad anyway) will be ignored. Even if you find people on these threads who got in with your exact MCAT score, you'll find that adcoms make highly subjective decisions which depend on far more than the MCAT. If you don't get into Duke and Hopkins, it probably will have nothing to do with getting an N.

Apologies to the Duke people for hijacking the thread. 🙄 If the exchange continues, I will switch to PM.

 

[indiandoc]

Iamhere,

Ignore VienneseWaltz. She's been a pain in numerous threads. Look back and she annoyed people on the Penn thread when we were waiting to find out decisions, and also on the Pitt thread.

Listen, the writing score should not hurt too much. Now will it hurt a some school -- maybe. It seems that people get in with varied scores and backgrounds. From experience, rather than trying to focus on the problems with you application, try to focus on improving your personal statement, you secondary, etc. Good luck.

 

[VienneseWaltz]

Originally posted by indiandoc
She's been a pain in numerous threads. Look back and she annoyed people on the Penn thread when we were waiting to find out decisions, and also on the Pitt thread.

Huh. 😕 I DID do a search to figure out what on earth you're talking about ... still don't know ...

Listen, the writing score should not hurt too much. Now will it hurt a some school -- maybe. It seems that people get in with varied scores and backgrounds. From experience, rather than trying to focus on the problems with you application, try to focus on improving your personal statement, you secondary, etc. Good luck.

This is good advice. About 10 other people (myself included) have given him the same suggestion.

 

[docman]

Hello people,

I recently got pulled off the waitlist and am still waiting for some information from Duke. I was wondering if some of you have the answer to a few questions.

First, has Duke sent out bills for tuition, or does that come later?

Also, I understand that fee for laptops is included in tuition. Do we pick up our labtops then when we get to school?

Thirdly, for out-of-staters, do we need to get a North Carolina driver's license and license plate if we plan to bring a car?

Thanks!

 

[annagreene]

1. bills were supposed to have gone out in early july. you can check your balance on the ACES website they sent with the packet of info.

2. laptops--my guess is that we get it during orientation week after seeing the schedule.


HELP needed: has anyone tried to register for classes online? a bit of confusion here...

 

[johnny12johnny]

I just signed a lease at North Pointe Commons. It seems like a really nice place, and it's only about 3 minutes drive from the hospital. Anybody else moving in there (I think lipid is)?

What's this about registering?

Can't wait to get down there!

-Johnny

 

[docman]

annagreene,
i registered for classes today. you just register for the four listed on the letter. i think they were molecules, gross anatomy, microanatomy, and physiology.

you are automatically registered for the practice course.

there's an error on the letter that says seven courses, but I think it should be 5.

it ends up being a total of 19 hours.

hope this helps. feel free to pm me.

 

[TommyGunn04]

Originally posted by docman
Thirdly, for out-of-staters, do we need to get a North Carolina driver's license and license plate if we plan to bring a car?

Thanks!

Hey Docman! Congrats on your acceptance!!! I just finished my first year at Duke, so I'll probably be seeing you during your orientation in a few weeks.

I actually brought a car down to NC last July, from my home state of Rhode Island. And I found out that as long as you don't become a legal resident of NC, you don't have to get an NC driver's license or registration/license plate. Since I'm 22, I'm still eligible for health insurance through my parents, and car insurance, registration, etc. in NC is pretty expensive compared to RI, so I opted to remain a dependent of my parents and maintain my legal residence in RI. I got a 2-year inspection/registration before I left, so I wouldn't have to drive home every year to get it renewed. Every state is different though...I hear some let you do it by mail, online, etc.

There's an important thing to consider though. If you are even considering getting an MPH during your 3rd year at Duke, which many students do, you MUST become a state resident, since you'd be taking the courses at UNC Chapel Hill. Maybe it's not officially a requirement (although I have HEARD that it is), but in any case it'll cost tons of extra money for tuition if you're not a state resident. You also need to consider the cost of car insurance where you live now vs. NC. State Farm is EVERYWHERE down here, so it might be worth contacting an agent and getting a quote to compare.

I hope that helps! 🙂

 

[lipid]

so what do you guys think about the reading? ...and johnny, yeah, i am living at north pointe. what did you think of it? i've just seen pictures so far. the rest of you should be ashamed if you're not living in the new coolest little establishment there is. 😀 (these faces are so silly, but i still like them...) oh yeah, and seriously, around when are you guys moving in?

 

[johnny12johnny]

Hey lipid,

I'm moving in around the 29th, and you're right about all the suckas who aren't living at NPC. The whole place is really really nice. It was only built two years ago so everything is still almost brand new, and it's got two swimming pools, two tennis courts, beach volleyball court, weight room, and whatnot. It's also within walking distance of a shopping area with a kroger, a costco, pier one, etc.

The best part is that it's so close to campus.

When are you moving in lipid?

 

[lipid]

i'm moving in around the 1st (missing the camping trip... oh well, i'm not a big fan of bugs anyway). hey, has anyone found out a way around this laptop thing? like is there ANY way that we don't have to pay their absurdly high fees if we bring our own?

 

[banannie]

i'm moving down on the 25th . . . only 1 more week till i pack up the u-haul and start the long trip down! my apartment is in chaos, between packing and trying to sell half my furniture.

i think the reading selection is a good pick, one of those "everyone who goes into medicine should read this" kind of books. unfortunately, i've read it before, and it's been a while so i'll have to read it again. really, i was hoping to spend the next few weeks reading fiction, the sort of stuff that i probably won't have the opportunity to read for another year.

i'm feeling woefully underprepared for the camping trip, but i'm going! 🙂