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I have been seeing a LOT of questions lately (and getting a bunch of PMs) about retaking the DAT and the timing of application submission.
I figured I'd make a thread about it so I don't have to keep saying the same thing.
This is an issue that is entirely up to personal choice. There is no "right" or "wrong" answer. However, since I have been asked so many times, here is what I would do if I was in this position.
So, let's say you've taken the DAT for the first time and made something such as an 18AA/17TS. You feel like you can do better and plan to retake the DAT in June or July. These scores don't make you particularly happy, and you think they aren't competitive enough for the schools you're applying to (for some reason or another).
So, your retake is planned. In the meantime, you've gotten everything else ready for your application--your LORs, your transcripts, your PS, all of the "fill in the blank" questions about your activities, etc. Your application, in essence, is complete--but only sort of, because you'd really like schools to consider your new-and-improved scores and not just your old ones.
You think, "Well, I should go ahead and submit so I can be EARLY!" Then my transcripts can be verified, and schools will get my app. All they'll have to do is wait for my new scores! They'll wait! ...right?
Well, theoretically, most schools say they will wait for your new scores before reviewing your application. That's very true. Here, though, is where the problems would come in for me.
I have heard of people being rejected before their new scores came in, even though they indicated a retake. So much for schools "waiting," right?
If I were reapplying, I wouldn't want for there to be any chance for a school to see my application and throw me in the "reject" pile before they saw my new scores. Sure, like I said, many schools say they will wait. However, I'd rather be certain that schools only saw my application in the best light possible--new scores included. What if they don't notice that you're retaking and cast your app aside? What if they put you in the "for review at a later date" pile, but then they don't get around to looking at your app for a long time because they're busy looking at new apps and the "for future review" pile was forgotten about?
Also, the fact that you'll get your app in "earlier" by going ahead and submitting is kind of just a farce. They'll still be waiting for your new scores (hopefully), and they probably aren't going to review your app before your new scores are in. So why not go ahead and just submit it all at once? And heck, if you're retaking in June or July (which I HIGHLY recommend), you'll still be pretty dang early anyhow.
So, here's the sequence that I recommend.
1. Get everything (other than your transcripts) ready for your application ASAP. Send your LORs, write your PS, and fill out your EC sections.
2. Retake the DAT. Get great scores. Go celebrate.
3. The next day, go to your registrar and have them send your transcripts to AADSAS.
4. On the same day you submit your transcripts, submit your app.
Now, some "waiting" happens. It will take 4-7 days for your transcripts to arrive. It will then take AADSAS about 7-10 days to verify your GPA. In the meantime, your new scores will be uploaded--this normally takes about 14 days. So, everything will be "done" at the same time. The entire thing should be sent out in the same batch.
*Or, if your transcripts get done really fast for some reason, at least your scores would follow in the very next batch and schools won't have to wait multiple weeks to have your (genuinely) completed application.
The reason I suggest waiting to send your transcripts is because if you sent them any earlier, there is a greater chance that your app will be sent out in the batch before your new scores come in. You'd be eliminating that week-long buffer that it takes for your transcripts to arrive.
If you HAVE submitted your app before your new scores, here is something else you can do. On the day you take your DAT, take your new score report, scan it in, and send it to schools. At least this will eliminate the 2- to 3-week period for your scores to be uploaded to AADSAS and sent out. Some schools won't actually invite your for an interview until your "official" scores come in, but at least these scores will allow them to start considering your app.
Also... if you're retaking in August or later, you're in a bit more murky waters. I think my plan works because it still allows an applicant to be "early." However, retaking in August or beyond sort of puts you out of that category. In that case, I don't know that I'd wait to submit. I suppose I'd just go ahead and submit and then cross my fingers that schools will wait. Definitely scan in your score report and send it to schools on the same day you retake.
Ultimately, these are purely my thoughts. Take them or leave them, of course! However, I hope this might help someone!
I figured I'd make a thread about it so I don't have to keep saying the same thing.
This is an issue that is entirely up to personal choice. There is no "right" or "wrong" answer. However, since I have been asked so many times, here is what I would do if I was in this position.So, let's say you've taken the DAT for the first time and made something such as an 18AA/17TS. You feel like you can do better and plan to retake the DAT in June or July. These scores don't make you particularly happy, and you think they aren't competitive enough for the schools you're applying to (for some reason or another).
So, your retake is planned. In the meantime, you've gotten everything else ready for your application--your LORs, your transcripts, your PS, all of the "fill in the blank" questions about your activities, etc. Your application, in essence, is complete--but only sort of, because you'd really like schools to consider your new-and-improved scores and not just your old ones.
You think, "Well, I should go ahead and submit so I can be EARLY!" Then my transcripts can be verified, and schools will get my app. All they'll have to do is wait for my new scores! They'll wait! ...right?
Well, theoretically, most schools say they will wait for your new scores before reviewing your application. That's very true. Here, though, is where the problems would come in for me.
I have heard of people being rejected before their new scores came in, even though they indicated a retake. So much for schools "waiting," right?
If I were reapplying, I wouldn't want for there to be any chance for a school to see my application and throw me in the "reject" pile before they saw my new scores. Sure, like I said, many schools say they will wait. However, I'd rather be certain that schools only saw my application in the best light possible--new scores included. What if they don't notice that you're retaking and cast your app aside? What if they put you in the "for review at a later date" pile, but then they don't get around to looking at your app for a long time because they're busy looking at new apps and the "for future review" pile was forgotten about?
Also, the fact that you'll get your app in "earlier" by going ahead and submitting is kind of just a farce. They'll still be waiting for your new scores (hopefully), and they probably aren't going to review your app before your new scores are in. So why not go ahead and just submit it all at once? And heck, if you're retaking in June or July (which I HIGHLY recommend), you'll still be pretty dang early anyhow.
So, here's the sequence that I recommend.
1. Get everything (other than your transcripts) ready for your application ASAP. Send your LORs, write your PS, and fill out your EC sections.
2. Retake the DAT. Get great scores. Go celebrate.
3. The next day, go to your registrar and have them send your transcripts to AADSAS.
4. On the same day you submit your transcripts, submit your app.
Now, some "waiting" happens. It will take 4-7 days for your transcripts to arrive. It will then take AADSAS about 7-10 days to verify your GPA. In the meantime, your new scores will be uploaded--this normally takes about 14 days. So, everything will be "done" at the same time. The entire thing should be sent out in the same batch.
*Or, if your transcripts get done really fast for some reason, at least your scores would follow in the very next batch and schools won't have to wait multiple weeks to have your (genuinely) completed application.
The reason I suggest waiting to send your transcripts is because if you sent them any earlier, there is a greater chance that your app will be sent out in the batch before your new scores come in. You'd be eliminating that week-long buffer that it takes for your transcripts to arrive.
If you HAVE submitted your app before your new scores, here is something else you can do. On the day you take your DAT, take your new score report, scan it in, and send it to schools. At least this will eliminate the 2- to 3-week period for your scores to be uploaded to AADSAS and sent out. Some schools won't actually invite your for an interview until your "official" scores come in, but at least these scores will allow them to start considering your app.
Also... if you're retaking in August or later, you're in a bit more murky waters. I think my plan works because it still allows an applicant to be "early." However, retaking in August or beyond sort of puts you out of that category. In that case, I don't know that I'd wait to submit. I suppose I'd just go ahead and submit and then cross my fingers that schools will wait. Definitely scan in your score report and send it to schools on the same day you retake.
Ultimately, these are purely my thoughts. Take them or leave them, of course! However, I hope this might help someone!
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