Admission question

[tchuynh]

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Hi SDN,

I was wondering if i should submit my application early (sometime in august?), even though I will just begin to shadow this summer and take my DAT this july. Also, most schools require a BS, in which i will not receive until spring 2013.

So can I still apply...
-with the amount of shadowing up to that point and tell them I will continue?
-before they even receive my DAT score?
-before i get my BS
-ALSO, I have all my prereq except for Biochem in which i will take in the fall. Is it OK to apply without this class and tell them I will complete it before entrance?

Or will i have to wait till the 2013 cycle to apply?

Any comments/suggestions will be appreciated!

EDIT: or should i wait a little further down the line like october/november to apply?

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

Hi SDN,

I was wondering if i should submit my application early (sometime in august?), even though I will just begin to shadow this summer and take my DAT this july. Also, most schools require a BS, in which i will not receive until spring 2013.

So can I still apply...
-with the amount of shadowing up to that point and tell them I will continue?
-before they even receive my DAT score?
-before i get my BS
-ALSO, I have all my prereq except for Biochem in which i will take in the fall. Is it OK to apply without this class and tell them I will complete it before entrance?

Or will i have to wait till the 2013 cycle to apply?

Any comments/suggestions will be appreciated!

EDIT: or should i wait a little further down the line like october/november to apply?

Yes you can apply at that point and tell them you're going to continue shadowing.

Without a DAT score is up to you. Some people do it. I personally wouldn't. You can apply without a score but some schools will hold it until they get it officially. Others will wait until you fax your score.

You can apply without a BS. It should be okay as long as you put down you're going to get one before you matriculate.

Yes you can apply without biochem and take it during the year.

Do not apply in October or November. Not worth the risk.

 

[crax]

Hi SDN,

I was wondering if i should submit my application early (sometime in august?), even though I will just begin to shadow this summer and take my DAT this july. Also, most schools require a BS, in which i will not receive until spring 2013.

So can I still apply...
-with the amount of shadowing up to that point and tell them I will continue?
-before they even receive my DAT score?
-before i get my BS
-ALSO, I have all my prereq except for Biochem in which i will take in the fall. Is it OK to apply without this class and tell them I will complete it before entrance?

Or will i have to wait till the 2013 cycle to apply?

Any comments/suggestions will be appreciated!

EDIT: or should i wait a little further down the line like october/november to apply?

"I was wondering if i should submit my application early (sometime in august?), even though"

-Most people do not consider august early. I believe the general consensus for "early" ends about ~mid june (having your application COMPLETE by this point, even then takes 2-3 weeks to verify your transcripts)

-It is typical to apply during the summer between junior and senior year (wont receive degree untill spring senior year in this case)

-you can apply before your DAT score, however your application will not be complete untill your DAT score is in.

-Biochem is not a pre req for most schools, perhaps for some. For the schools which it is required, they should allow you to apply with plans of completion, but i would check each school individually for if they require biochem, and if they require it prior to application (unlikely in my experience).

my opinion: you want to have a complete application in as soon as possible. you also want this app to be strong.

I would shoot for ~ 100 shadowing hours, and try and devote my time to preparing for the DAT. Make sure your LOR's are in order, and you involve yourself in some extra curric activities. How strong is your GPA? I would ideally advise to have everything complete by end of july. I would also shadow different practices, and different specialties.

As an additional note, you can find a practice which you get along with and shadow 2-3 times, ask them if you can come back in two weeks for a few days? You might consider listing your future potential hours as hours completed, for the sake of your application. Just an idea. Also, some schools require a LOR from a dentist so if you dont have one already, might want to keep this in mind as you shadow/ network.