ABSN Duke Fall 2010

Maryash79 · Nov 27, 2009

Hey Abbie,

Welcome to the Circus that is applying for the Duke ABSN, a wonderful place filled with nerves, stress and daily panic attacks! From what I hear, Duke really looks at the person as a whole, so your grades and GRE will serve you well...Maybe when you get to your interview you can have a plan of working in a health care setting, even as a volunteer before school starts. That should seal the deal. Best of luck!

Maryash79 · Nov 27, 2009

Hey Ladies!

Hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving and are beinging to recover from their tryptophan induced coma :) Have great weekends!

kebunt · Nov 27, 2009

I have a 3.7 GPA from a fancy school where I did my undergrad, high GREs, and A's in all of the pre-reqs that I've been completing at community college. But, I've never really worked in health care so, I hope that doesn't hold me back from getting in. A.

Hi Abbie Grace, Welcome to the group! - Seems like our situation is pretty much the same except my GPA is bit higher and my school wasn't fancy. I've been doing some volunteer work as well. They told me their average GPA is a 3.4, so I am hoping my stas and writing will be enough to get the interview.

Personally, I'm not worried (yet) about getting in, just about getting the interview, because I think that's where each of us will make or break our own chances. I know people with higher GPAs that have been turned away, and people with lower GPAs that have been accepted, so I can't believe it's all about the numbers. It seems like they're looking for varied life experiences and a good bit of passion. :twocents:

Each one of us brings something different to the table (or should I say classroom?) and I'm sure they'll see that once we get to Duke Days! Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

twois · Nov 27, 2009

I'm glad to see so many others applying to Duke! Well, in the "glad I'm not the only one going crazy over it" way, not so much the "glad I have so much competition" way.

I'm losing my mind because I'm waiting on my alma mater to review a petition that will drastically change my GPA and they are DRAGGING THEIR FEET on it. I've talked to the admissions folks and been reassured (a few times) that I can turn in transcripts after the deadline - especially since 5 of my prereqs are this semester! - but I'm still getting extraordinarily anxious.

My undergrad GPA was a 3.3, which seems a bit below average, my GRE (which I'm taking Monday, the day before the deadline... oops. I scheduled it before I knew I'd be applying to Duke!) should be in the 1400 range if my practice scores are any indication, and I have a 4.0 in my prereqs. I know my personal statement is quite strong, my recs should be good (at least one is really wonderful and from a neurologist), so I should at least have a fighting chance, but.... oy. I'm only applying to two schools for next fall, so I'm biting my nails pretty hard about both of them.

Does anyone know the mean GRE score for the ABSN accepted students at Duke?

I am so impressed with Duke's program and it's definitely my first choice. I wish I could have finished the application two months ago. I'm so anxious about trying to get everything in on time!

kebunt · Nov 28, 2009

Twois, you have brought your anxiety to the right place! Duke's average GRE score is around 1150, at least that's what they tell me. I just took the exam a few weeks ago. Oh, the stress!

Good luck to you! Sounds like you've got alot going on right now, so keep us posted!

K nurse-one-day · Nov 28, 2009

Not going to Duke, but just saying good luck with everything, you're making a great choice!

Carolina11 · Nov 30, 2009

It sure got quiet on this thread...quiet before the storm?!?!? Tomorrow's the big day! Is everyone ready to stalk the mailman?

kebunt · Nov 30, 2009

Hey Carolina11! I think some of us just disappeared for the holiday. About stalking the mailbox, I'm sure I'll be sitting outside everyday waiting on my mailman, but is that how they'll notify us about interviews too? I've asked a million questions, but I don't think I remembered to ask that one...

Thanks!

Maryash79 · Nov 30, 2009

Hey Carolina!

I think that the board was in a trytophan coma over the holiday, I know I was! I am totally ready to stalk the phone/mail/anyone that has any information regarding our applications.

I hope everyone had an awesome Thansgiving. I am thankful for all of you ladies and the ability to come to this board to let out the anxiety and frusterations. Best of luck to everyone!!

Maryash79 · Nov 30, 2009

ohhhh good question.. do we get the interview info by mail. I was doing ok but now I'm starting to get nervous again...blech!

JasonB · Nov 30, 2009

Hello, everyone, from (usually) sunny Durham!

I'm a career-changer (former chef here in Durham) who has been taking care of prerequisites at NCCU. It's been an interesting ride so far, as my Art History degree 8 years ago only required one science course. Still, I've been at a 4.0 GPA since returning to school (WAY better than I did the first time around, let's just say), and will be bringing most of my application materials over to the admissions office tomorrow morning. Finally!

So, I'll be joining you all in nervous expectation over the next couple weeks. In the way of some service to those of you who are obviously in much better shape than I, from what I've read on this thread, I thought I would share some of my details. Maybe those of you with doubts about your chances will feel better knowing there's some of us who look a lot worse on paper :)

So, like I said, Art History BA from 2002, with a GPA that isn't up to snuff.

Then culinary school for a few months, out of which I got a job cooking in Boston.

Then 4 years as a professional cook and 3 as head chef of a new restaurant in Durham.

4.0 GPA in all prereqs at NCCU.

Killer personal statement, and good recommendation letters, though only one from a recent academic perspective (only have had 4-5 professors so far, and only one I trusted to write well).

Will take the GRE this month under the leeway DUSON is granting this cohort, as well as the sociology prereq this spring at NCCU.

Zero medical field experience outside of many family members and friends in the field, and volunteering at Duke's ED.

... So basically I am praying for an interview, wherein I am somewhat confident I could talk the committee into letting me in based on my determination, management experience, and love of learning (and good looks?).

So, basically, relax, y'all. Not all the competition has been a CNA for 5 years with a 3.9 GPA.

Good luck to everyone! And if you have any questions about the Triangle area, please let me know.

-Jason

Carolina11 · Nov 30, 2009

OK yall, I talked with "her" today. Notifications for interviews will either be by phone or by email in the next few weeks. "She" said that interviews will be conducted on 1/22, 1/29, and 2/5. These are called Duke Days, where you will interview for about 30 minutes and tour the campus, talk to financial aid, ask questions for the entire day. After interviews, we will be notified by email in mid to late February (at the latest) about the results. Hope that helps!