By TAN SEET YNN
Duke-NUS has always been a close friend to the CN Yang Scholars Program, with annual visits scheduled for our scholars to ask questions about the programmes offered there. This year was no different, with 12 of our scholars dropping by to find out more about Duke-NUS’ unique curriculum from our NTU Alumni: Liu Shi Yang, Tan Kai Wei, Charles Tiu and Justin Ooi.
Besides its status as a Graduate Medical School, the thing that makes Duke-NUS different from Lee Kong Chian and Yong Loo Lin Medical Schools is its focus on medical research. Duke-NUS provides invaluable teaching and lessons in not only the usual clinical setting, but also across 5 different sectors – such as neuroscience and behavioural disorders and emerging infectious diseases – allowing students to put their varied backgrounds, from engineering to philosophy, to good use.
Students in Duke-NUS can choose from their 3 programs: MD, PhD, or MD-PhD programs, and can expect to go on to have careers in research in renowned institutes like A*STAR, University of Oxford, Merck MSD and the Agency for Integrated Care. For more information about the programs, you can visit duke-nus.edu.sg to find out more.
Highlights of CNYSP’s annual visit to Duke-NUS included tours of their laboratories, classrooms and even a practical session, where one of our scholars, Grace Tay, got a chance to try her hand at intubating a dummy. Such simulated procedures play a major part in the life of a Duke-NUS MD student, familiarizing them with the complicated instruments, techniques and procedures before moving on to more realistic practices.
Such simulated procedures play a major part in the life of a Duke-NUS MD student, familiarizing them with the complicated instruments, techniques and procedures before moving on to more realistic practices. These, along with Team Based LearningTM and attachments to various hospitals and clinics, ensure that Duke-NUS graduates will be well-trained and ready to take on their roles as medical professionals.
Applying to Duke-NUS is not for the faint of heart: With only about 50 slots open to application from students of all backgrounds and majors, competition is stiff, and is only made tougher with their MCAT requirements. However, as long as you’re passionate for the medical profession, and are academically competent, you certainly stand a decent chance at getting in.
If you’re interested to learn more about Duke-NUS in general, feel free to pop by during their open house on the 31 October 2018 or subscribe to the Outreach Telegram Channel to receive more information about upcoming outreach events t.me/CNYSCevents. If you haven’t had enough of CY1500, you can also sign up for 5 week program in May-June: GMS1000 lets you clear 3AUs and gives you an edge over other Duke-NUS applicants, through critically evaluating biomedical research, communicating scientifically and defending your research proposal. Find out more at duke-nus.edu.sg/education/pre-medical-module
For those who aren’t interested in reliving the joys of CY1500, you can join the Prehealth Experential Programme where you can learn about the latest medical research and participate in “community-based learning”, ie TBLTM again.
Thank you for reading, and we hope to see you at future events. See you soon!