Am I going about this the wrong way?

[Claydees]

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I am just getting a little confused here. I am a Canadian who was planning of writing the American DAT this year (2014) and then applying to schools next year 2015.

However, from browsing it seems a lot apply first and then do the DAT after. I was planning to write American DAT in August of this year (I've been told take 4 months to study if I want to do really well and uni semester ends in April), and then I was planning to apply to dental schools after I'm done university next year. I would be applying June 1st of 2015 with my 2014 scores...since I've heard the earlier the better.

This is possible correct? The score will still be valid and the application process will allow for this? I am just making sure this is okay similar to how I know some MCAT fellows do things.

Thanks.

 

[sjv]

Correct, scores are usually valid for 3 years.

 

[ModifiedBass]

You're probably wasting your time if you're taking 4 months to study for the DAT.

 

[Claydees]

@sjv Thank you kindly.

@GJMeig I initially planned on doing it in 2 months but then a friend told me that is suicide if I want to do well and that even 4 months is cutting it too close. Interesting to hear you say that though and based on your stats shown proudly in your sig, it clearly worked for you doing it in less than 4 months. Granted your GPA is much higher than mine so maybe someone like you wouldn't have to study as much as someone like me. Thanks.

I'll have to see...will be buying the Kaplan DAT books...don't know how you can get through all of those so quickly. That's like 800 pages!

 

[ModifiedBass]

@sjv Thank you kindly.

@GJMeig I initially planned on doing it in 2 months but then a friend told me that is suicide if I want to do well and that even 4 months is cutting it too close. Interesting to hear you say that though and based on your stats shown proudly in your sig, it clearly worked for you doing it in less than 4 months. Granted your GPA is much higher than mine so maybe someone like you wouldn't have to study as much as someone like me. Thanks.

I'll have to see...will be buying the Kaplan DAT books...don't know how you can get through all of those so quickly. That's like 800 pages!

I really don't think GPA has to correlate to amount of time studying for the DAT, many with lower GPAs still do better than what I did even with less time. I am sure you can do just as well in 2 months if DAT studying is your main goal for those 2 months. Check out the breakdowns in the DAT Discussion thread, especially those in Glimmers thread as well as the stickied thread at the top for a sample study schedule. Those will show you the best materials and how to go about utilizing them in the most efficient ways. Also, if you do take ~2 months (taking the DAT in say June or early July like many other applicants), you would be able to apply this upcoming 2014 cycle as opposed to waiting a year to apply in 2015 which would save you a lot of time.

 

[Claydees]

Okay. Will check those threads out now. Thanks a bunch my friend. My original plan was to study the DAT like a summer job. 9 to 5 every day and then treat the rest of the day as a relaxation/summer day to have balance. Once I go through those threads I'll probably piece together an even better strategy.

I don't think I can apply for this cycle because I'm still in 3rd year uni, not 4th year. So I haven't got the references from the profs that come after doing a thesis yet nor the Bsc. degree.

 

[CleverThought]

Okay. Will check those threads out now. Thanks a bunch my friend. My original plan was to study the DAT like a summer job. 9 to 5 every day and then treat the rest of the day as a relaxation/summer day to have balance. Once I go through those threads I'll probably piece together an even better strategy.

I don't think I can apply for this cycle because I'm still in 3rd year uni, not 4th year. So I haven't got the references from the profs that come after doing a thesis yet nor the Bsc. degree.

Most people do apply the summer between 3rd and 4th years. If you don't, you're gonna find yourself taking a year off. If you can take your DAT in June or early July I would say you're probably in a good position to apply this June for admittance for Fall 2015.

 

[Futbolero]

I applied in June, took my DAT in October, and have been invited to 8 interviews post December 2nd. However I would suggest taking the DAT no later than late July or early August in the cycle you are applying for. And I only studied 1 month for the DAT, utilizing a schedule and putting together the best sources which I found on here and I managed to score 21 Aa, 21 TD, 23 PAT (which I lost 5 whole minutes in because I had to get up and go to the bathroom during it, or I probably could have scored 24), 21 RC, 19 QR, 19 GC, 21 OC, 25 bio. So you definitely don't need 4 months! I'd say ideally 2 months at 6-8 hours per day.

 

[Glimmer1991]

My suggestion? 5 hours a day for 3 months. You can take off weekends when you need a break. Anything more is SUPER overkill, and you will not be learning anything else. This test is hard, but it isn't THAT hard. You just have to study efficiently and use the right tools.

Thanks for the shoutout earlier--links to breakdowns in my signature. 🙂

 

[Longcatislong]

I second what Glimmer said. Study 4-5 SOLID hours a day for about 3 months. You'll keep the info fresh in your head for test day and you'll get into the habit of sitting in a chair for a lengthy period of time and concentrating (just like you'll have to do for the DAT!). If you take more than 3.5 months, you'll probably start forgetting things, or just become burnt out.