Can I still be a Cardea Fellow if...
- I took AP Chemistry and got a 1, 2, or 3 on the AP exam?
- I do not take Chemistry 99D?
- I am a first-year who plans to take Chemistry 99D during my sophomore year?
- I am a sophomore who has taken Chemistry 99D?
- I am interested in veterinary medicine (or nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, etc.)?
- I am applying to FOCUS?
Other Questions:
If you have any other questions, please feel free to send us an email.
Can I still be a Cardea Fellow if I took AP chemistry and got a 1, 2 or 3 on the AP exam?
The answer to this depends on your chemistry placement since enrollment in CHEM 99D is at the core of the first-year Cardea experience. Although you have not earned credit for CHEM 20 or CHEM 21, you are likely to have more than one year of high school chemistry and should consider a different chemistry course. See the Chemistry Department placement guidelines and/or contact a Director of Undergraduate Studies in Chemistry as placement in an appropriate level chemistry course is very important.
Can I still be a Cardea Fellow if I do not take Chemistry 99D?
At the heart of the Cardea experience is a learning community that develops during CHEM 99D. Conflicts with other courses or placement into CHEM 101DL, CHEM 110DL, or CHEM 201DL will disqualify you from participating in the program.
If you are not eligible for the Cardea Fellows Program, we encourage you to make use of Duke's prehealth advising resources, offered by the Office of Health Professions Advising, and develop your own study group for prehealth courses in math and science, offered by the Academic Resource Center. If you place into and take CHEM 99D in the fall and CHEM 101DL in the spring, you are encouraged to participate in SAGE study groups, since that may allow you to enter the program after your first semester.
Can I still be a Cardea Fellow if I am a first-year who plans to take Chemistry 99D during my sophomore year?
You will not be able to participate in the Cardea Fellows Program until you enroll in Chem99D.
Can I still be a Cardea Fellow if I am a sophomore who has taken Chemistry 99D?
Yes, we occasionally permit sophomore-level entry for students who have completed CHEM 99D and CHEM 101 DL during their first year AND participated in the SAGE Program offered through the Academic Resource Center. Entering sophomores must be enrolled in CHEM 201DL in the fall and CHEM 202L in the spring. Contact Dean Marritt if you are interested in pursuing entry into the fellowship.
If you are not eligible for the Cardea Fellows Program, we encourage you to make use of Duke's prehealth advising resources, offered by the Office of Health Professions Advising, and develop your own study group for prehealth courses in math and science, offered by the Academic Resource Center.
Can I still be a Cardea Fellow if I am interested in veterinary medicine (or nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, etc.)?
Yes. The Cardea Fellows Program is a prehealth program. Students interested in any kind of health-related career are welcome to apply. Duke has an active pre-vet organization and we would encourage you to seek them out and get involved. We also have pre-dental and pre-physical therapy organizations as well as many other organizations with ties to health-related professions.
Can I still be a Cardea Fellow if I am applying to FOCUS?
The Cardea Fellows Program and the Focus Program (FOCUS) are both first-year residential programs which require significant time commitments, therefore, we do not permit students to participate in both. Each year we coordinate our application review with FOCUS and those who are accepted into both programs will be asked to choose. To maximize your chances of being offered at least one opportunity, you are encouraged to apply to BOTH programs.
Will this program get me into medical school?
While we cannot guarantee anyone admission to medical school, we can guarantee that Cardea Fellows have ample opportunities to develop academic skills in problem solving courses, explore healthcare careers, and get personalized advising about coursework and extracurriculars that will make your application to health professional schools competitive. What you have to provide are the dedication and commitment to develop the academic skills and interest in prehealth coursework. You will also need to explore medical careers and demonstrate a commitment to service. All prehealth students should read the Prepare section of Duke's Office of Prehealth Advising website.