DukeMed Alumni News
Fall 2007

What do you remember about the day you received your
acceptance letter to Duke Medicine? What was your immediate reaction?

I was truly speechless. Attending Duke Med has been a life-long goal of mine, and from a young age I dreamed of studying at Duke. One of the greatest moments of my life occurred when I was awarded a scholarship to Duke, significantly alleviating the financial pressures.
- Dan Bland

My mom called to tell me that “Dear (future) Doctor Kozitza” was printed clearly on the front of the envelope. Then it hit me: Not only am I going to be a doctor, I’m going to train at one of the best medical schools in the country! It was one of the happiest days of my life.
- Rebecca Kozitza

Duke was my top choice because a lot of the intangibles, such as being close to my family and friends. With all that Duke had to offer there was no way I could go anywhere else.
- Cedric Hunter

When I saw “(the future) Dr. Victoria Kim,” I remember saying, “Thank you, thank you, thank you” as I walked out of the post office. I sat under the shade of a nearby tree and allowed myself to laugh out loud as I opened the much desired envelope.
- Victoria Mi Kim

Unfortunately for Gemma Lewis, my Duke Med ambassador, I let out a very loud, very incoherent sound (a shriek? a whoop? I don’t even think I could re-produce it if I tried). I was excited, elated, and shocked - but I eventually came to my senses and apologized for permanently damaging Gemma’s inner ear. She laughed and said she had the same reaction when she found out she got into Duke. I look forward to being on the receiving end of the “Duke Med Admissions Discovery Scream” soon.
- Emily Maxson

I jumped up and down ferociously and awoke several unfortunate sleepers who were bunked nearby. My hypothetical existence at Duke was consummated. I smiled the rest of the day.
- Laura Musselwhite

I screamed then explained to the petrified victim in the office with me why I was screaming. Slightly disoriented, I ran out and back into the office and then got on my knees and just thanked the Lord.
- Omanma Adighibe

The man on the other side of the phone said, “Bobbak, this is Richard Wallace from Duke. This is the call that you’ve been waiting for.” After that was pretty much a blurr. I was at my apartment alone, and all I really remember is running around wanting to scream and yelling into the phone, “Oh my God! Oh my God! You’re joking... you’re joking... OH MY GOD!!!”

I went into my dad’s office with the biggest smile on my face and said, “I got into DUKE!” We then called my mom on his speakerphone and told her the good news. The rest of the day consisted of me calling every friend who knew I was waiting to get into Duke and doing everything in my power to try to get in.
- Bobbak Mansouri