Advice Needed as to whether or not I should push back DAT...

[Bio Dental Mom]

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Hi,

So as my name suggests I am a mom. I have a toddler who will be turning 2 next month and is having EXTREME teething problems... like consistently crying (and I'm not exaggerating), waking up every hour/ 30 mins during the evening, crying so hard to the point he throws up, fevers, etc. etc. My husband and I enrolled him in a daycare full-time so that I can devote all my time during the day to study, but with his teething problems, they have asked us to keep him home 🙁 I have the DAT scheduled May 3rd and fear that I will have to push this date back further as I do not feel prepared to take it at that time.I had set myself a schedule to finish all my studying by May 1st, but as I'm spending more time tending to my son, it is pushing my studies back even further.

Here is what I have accomplished thus far:

Ochem: KBB (read through 1x, took notes, referenced my text book). Finished destroyer 1x, going through it a 2nd time (almost 1/2 way done). Watching Chad's Ochem videos and taking thorough notes (still have videos 4-6 to tackle)

Gen-Chem: Watched Chad's videos 2x, frequently look back at my notes and finished destroyer 1x, going through it a 2nd time (almost 1/2 way done).

Bio: Read AP Cliffs 1x only. This is the section I am least prepared on honestly. Finished destroyer 1x, going through it a 2nd time (about 1/4 done).

QR: Finished 7 practice exams from 2010 math destroyer edition, still have 4 more to go. I still wanted to go through this book a 2nd time around and time myself.

PAT: Only completed 5 exams, still have 5 more to go.

Topscore: haven't even started practicing this yet = (

*** I still wanted to finish destroyer for a 3rd time, throughout my graduate studies, whenever I go through things for a 3rd time it usually sticks. Review AP Cliffs as well and other notes I have been compiling as well as my flash cards I made for bio and ochem rxns.

This is my 2nd time taking the DAT (last time I did horribly horrible but blame it on only depending on kaplan to get a good score). So, I really don't want to have to retake a 3rd time, that's just going to be poopy.

Now here is the catch... I am 9 months pregnant, yes, I have been studying 9-14 hours for the last month (Monday-Friday ~ since that's when my son is in daycare) ~ My due date is May 14th. I had my first son 1 week before my due date, so not sure if that will happen with this pregnancy... and also had an emergency cesarean birth, so that took about 10 days to recover from after delivery and not sure if I will have to have another cesarean, my doc wants to see how things go as I approach labor ..

Yall probably think I'm crazy, how do I expect to handle dental school with two kids? But I know that if I at least don't give it a try I will always regret it. And I wanted to have my family before I started dental school since I'm older than the traditional applicant. And honestly, this might sound dumb, but I had the 2nd kid to keep the first one occupied. He gets so lonely by himself at the house.. this way he can have a friend. 😛

I am a texas resident and plan on applying only to in-state schools, with my family and my husband's job here, I don't see us packing up and leaving out of state. It really wouldn't work out. Plus we just bought a new home, so we're pretty much settled here (yes, I had to move earlier this month and sprained my back 🙁 ~ that wasnt fun.

I recently completed a master's in clinical research: GPA 3.79
Undergrad GPA: 3.72
Science GPA: 3.65

So, I believe I have a good chance, just need a solid DAT score. I was going to go ahead and start working on my app, since the TMDSAS opens May 3rd and submit that right away and take the DAT May 31st and fax them my scores once I get them. What do you guys think of this plan? I hope it still puts me in the early applicant pool... Or any other suggestions when I should push it back to? I think it would be super difficult to keep my May 3rd date. And if you're worried about studying with a newborn... its actually easier than studying with a toddler, I did it through grad school taking a full load of upper level science classes and did well. All they do is eat, sleep 16 hours a day and poop. Not much going on there. The older they get, the harder it is to take care of them.

Sorry for the long post, but I just needed to decide soon and figured yall would need background info in order to understand my situation 😕

 

[xaznxcountx]

Hi,

So as my name suggests I am a mom. I have a toddler who will be turning 2 next month and is having EXTREME teething problems... like consistently crying (and I'm not exaggerating), waking up every hour/ 30 mins during the evening, crying so hard to the point he throws up, fevers, etc. etc. My husband and I enrolled him in a daycare full-time so that I can devote all my time during the day to study, but with his teething problems, they have asked us to keep him home 🙁 I have the DAT scheduled May 3rd and fear that I will have to push this date back further as I do not feel prepared to take it at that time.I had set myself a schedule to finish all my studying by May 1st, but as I'm spending more time tending to my son, it is pushing my studies back even further.

Here is what I have accomplished thus far:

Ochem: KBB (read through 1x, took notes, referenced my text book). Finished destroyer 1x, going through it a 2nd time (almost 1/2 way done). Watching Chad's Ochem videos and taking thorough notes (still have videos 4-6 to tackle)

Gen-Chem: Watched Chad's videos 2x, frequently look back at my notes and finished destroyer 1x, going through it a 2nd time (almost 1/2 way done).

Bio: Read AP Cliffs 1x only. This is the section I am least prepared on honestly. Finished destroyer 1x, going through it a 2nd time (about 1/4 done).

QR: Finished 7 practice exams from 2010 math destroyer edition, still have 4 more to go. I still wanted to go through this book a 2nd time around and time myself.

PAT: Only completed 5 exams, still have 5 more to go.

Topscore: haven't even started practicing this yet = (

*** I still wanted to finish destroyer for a 3rd time, throughout my graduate studies, whenever I go through things for a 3rd time it usually sticks. Review AP Cliffs as well and other notes I have been compiling as well as my flash cards I made for bio and ochem rxns.

This is my 2nd time taking the DAT (last time I did horribly horrible but blame it on only depending on kaplan to get a good score). So, I really don't want to have to retake a 3rd time, that's just going to be poopy.

Now here is the catch... I am 9 months pregnant, yes, I have been studying 9-14 hours for the last month (Monday-Friday ~ since that's when my son is in daycare) ~ My due date is May 14th. I had my first son 1 week before my due date, so not sure if that will happen with this pregnancy... and also had an emergency cesarean birth, so that took about 10 days to recover from after delivery and not sure if I will have to have another cesarean, my doc wants to see how things go as I approach labor ..

Yall probably think I'm crazy, how do I expect to handle dental school with two kids? But I know that if I at least don't give it a try I will always regret it. And I wanted to have my family before I started dental school since I'm older than the traditional applicant. And honestly, this might sound dumb, but I had the 2nd kid to keep the first one occupied. He gets so lonely by himself at the house.. this way he can have a friend. 😛

I am a texas resident and plan on applying only to in-state schools, with my family and my husband's job here, I don't see us packing up and leaving out of state. It really wouldn't work out. Plus we just bought a new home, so we're pretty much settled here (yes, I had to move earlier this month and sprained my back 🙁 ~ that wasnt fun.

I recently completed a master's in clinical research: GPA 3.79
Undergrad GPA: 3.72
Science GPA: 3.65

So, I believe I have a good chance, just need a solid DAT score. I was going to go ahead and start working on my app, since the TMDSAS opens May 3rd and submit that right away and take the DAT May 31st and fax them my scores once I get them. What do you guys think of this plan? I hope it still puts me in the early applicant pool... Or any other suggestions when I should push it back to? I think it would be super difficult to keep my May 3rd date. And if you're worried about studying with a newborn... its actually easier than studying with a toddler, I did it through grad school taking a full load of upper level science classes and did well. All they do is eat, sleep 16 hours a day and poop. Not much going on there. The older they get, the harder it is to take care of them.

Sorry for the long post, but I just needed to decide soon and figured yall would need background info in order to understand my situation 😕

First off let me say that your determination is very admirable. I don't think I've ever read a situation like yours. Do you think after you have your 2nd child you will be able to recover and perhaps take the rest of June to study for the DAT and take it end of June? That is still not too late to take your DAT. I'm taking mine end of July. BTW the AADSAS opens up June 3rd this year I believe.

I think if you can hold off on the DAT until you feel ready it may be better because you don't want to have to retake it. But anyway good luck! 👍

 

[herkulease]

You're situation is rather unique.

My advice, granted I haven't taken the DAT is this. If you don't feel ready, you should not take it and delay. Especially for those who are concerned about wanting to be submitting apps on the 1st day and rush to take the DAT. 1st in line with low score is worst then middle of line with high score.

Maybe you shoudl take 1 of the top score exams to see where you are at.

Also I question given that birthing whether its natural or via c-section is a grueling thing and drains you physically and mentally if you can really recover in 16 days for your proposed date of pushing back the test. And be able to review material adequately. Obviously only you can answer that and compare it to how the 1st one was like.

Of course there are issues such as if the little ones likes it so much in there, he/she don't want to come out by due date. On the flip side decides I'm done in here let me out. if you go into labor during the DAT I'm not sure if they let you void it.

I'm sure you've considered all these things.

 

[dentalWorks]

You seem to be on top of things which is GREAT even with the kid taking up some of your time and all. You have about 10 days to go until you finish your proposed plan of what else you want to have done.

I don't believe you can push your date too far off, I mean, I wouldn't go past may 10th as your new baby can come out any time.

So my ultimate suggestion is, push it back till May 9th, this extra time between may 3rd till 9th you can spend it doing topscore and mopping up any unfinished PAT and MATH destroyer tests.

From today till may 3rd, finish up with your DAT destroyer, cliff's ap bio for 2nd time. Try to squeze a little MATH destroyer here and there (not every day, maybe every 2 days do 1 math test). But your main goal from now till the 3rd should be dat destroyer + cliff's ap biology.

Hope this helps, your work ethic will pay off, trust me, it will all over over in less than 3 weeks 🙂

Good luck on your dat

 

[taptapgrind]

I think Dentalworks has a good plan there, but don't forget that come test day, the baby might decide to come out, just from the stress and all.. Judging from my experience, sitting for 5 hours while 9 months pregnant made it hugely uncomfortable, but why not try to take it nonetheless? Wish you good luck with baby and test (but not at the same time 🙂)! Keep us posted!

 

[Bio Dental Mom]

Xaznxcountx, I am not applying through AADSAS, it is not possible for me to relocate out of state. My family is settled in TX so I will be applying through the TMDSAS come May 3rd.

herkulease, I appreciate your advice. It helps clarify things. Like what you suggested, taking the exam early and doing not so great vs. taking it mid-way and doing great looks way better. I do decide to push my exam back, I still have not yet decided on a date, but like I said in the post, either end of May or early June.

DentalWorks, I always respect your posts. And your 8 week study program is nice. I would have followed it if I had just started studying for my DATs. However, taking the DAT May 9th would not be a good idea. First of all, my doc told me that because I had my first baby early (1 week before my due date), there is a 60% chance that the same thing could happen with this pregnancy, and as herkulease suggested, I dont want to go into labor while taking the exam. Honestly, I tell my husband that after just taking one CDP exam, I'm already kinda mentally exhausted and not sure how that would play out on the exam. I think taking the exam after I have the baby would be best. Also, as far as having 10 days to study... well, when I was "trying" to feed my son today I noticed he had mouth sores, which is why he would cry even if we gave him water - but poor guy, he hasn't eaten ANYTHING for the last 2 days, so he's so hungry and wants to eat. We took him to the doctor today and they said he has a viral infection (oral stomatitis) that's causing the sores and high fever so he's going to be like this for the next 4-5 days (7 days max). And because its a virus, as you may know already, they can't give him anything for it - so he's basically on tylenol, motrin, and liquids (to prevent any dehydration). So, as far as the 10 day study plan goes, I would only have 5 days to prepare. I don't think that I would be ready by then and stress during the exam may even trigger labor since I would be 39 weeks then. I know, such a crazy situation = (

Anyways, thanks for the replies - it helps a lot! And lets hope baby boy #2 comes out yelling and healthy! In the end, that's the most important thing = )

 

[SeattleRDH]

First let me say congratulations on your new addition!

But I wonder, do you have to take the DAT in May to be an early applicant? I've heard that taking it as late as mid-July will still put you in the early applicant pool. With such a strong GPA I would think you could make the first cut anyway and then bump yourself up with an improved DAT score later.

I'm glad to hear that studying with a newborn is not too challenging. That is going to be my DAT prep time come December. 🙂

 

[DAT24]

I admire your determination. I have a 2 and half year old and a 6 month old, both boys. They are a lot of fun but demanding at time. It would be very difficult to study for the DAT and take care of two kids. I hope everything goes well with your delivery.

 

[dentalWorks]

Bio Dental Mom... your test is today, right?

How did it go?

 

[Bio Dental Mom]

Bio Dental Mom... your test is today, right?

How did it go?

Well, after discussing with numerous folk, I ended up pushing it back to June 7th. I called the Texas schools and they said they don't receive the first pool of TMDSAS applications until mid to late June, so I would still be considered an early applicant. I just need to fax them my scores once I get them, so I was really stoked about that. I'm also relieved I pushed my test back b/c I've been having contractions since Friday night, so I don't know what I would have done if I got one while sitting through a 5 hr test. 😱 I am a true believer that everything happens for a reason, but we just don't know the reason until like wayyy after...lol..

 

[dentalWorks]

Well, after discussing with numerous folk, I ended up pushing it back to June 7th. I called the Texas schools and they said they don't receive the first pool of TMDSAS applications until mid to late June, so I would still be considered an early applicant. I just need to fax them my scores once I get them, so I was really stoked about that. I'm also relieved I pushed my test back b/c I've been having contractions since Friday night, so I don't know what I would have done if I got one while sitting through a 5 hr test. 😱 I am a true believer that everything happens for a reason, but we just don't know the reason until like wayyy after...lol..

well, I am glad to hear you didn't rush into this test. June 7th isn't a bad date, as matter of fact, even up to june 15-20th is still good cause thats around the time the first batch of applications get shipped out.

Good luck to ya, I really think you made the right decision here.

Come back and post your results 🙂

 

[predent7]

I know there are many parents student. Also please let us know about new baby !