Am I too late?

[AudreyPhD]

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Sorry for the double post in "slackers anonymous"- I wanted to start a new thread!

I'm a Canadian PhD student. I'm applying to schools in Canada, but have recently been encouraged to try in the US. Is it too late to apply now? I've done the research, so I've got a good idea of which schools to apply to, but many have a deadline of Dec 1st... some in Jan, some in Feb though.

I can only reasonably get my personal essay done in a week or so. In which case i'll be really pushing it for the Dec 1st deadlines. I'm wondering if its even reasonable to apply this late in the game. Among other things, I would hate to press my advisor and other referees for even more letters (ASAP!) only to find out my application won't be reviewed anyways.

Of possible relevance, I'll be taking the Canadian DAT Nov 5. I've read that this might be too late for the Dec 1st deadline as well.

Any feedback, suggestions? Thanks!!

 

[amalgamgrillz]

Sorry for the double post in "slackers anonymous"- I wanted to start a new thread!

I'm a Canadian PhD student. I'm applying to schools in Canada, but have recently been encouraged to try in the US. Is it too late to apply now? I've done the research, so I've got a good idea of which schools to apply to, but many have a deadline of Dec 1st... some in Jan, some in Feb though.

I can only reasonably get my personal essay done in a week or so. In which case i'll be really pushing it for the Dec 1st deadlines. I'm wondering if its even reasonable to apply this late in the game. Among other things, I would hate to press my advisor and other referees for even more letters (ASAP!) only to find out my application won't be reviewed anyways.

Of possible relevance, I'll be taking the Canadian DAT Nov 5. I've read that this might be too late for the Dec 1st deadline as well.

Any feedback, suggestions? Thanks!!

Getting your personal statement is only one component of your AADSAS application. You still need to send all your transcripts and scores to AADSAS for them to verify it, then they need to send it out to schools, then you need to do secondary applications. And even if you make it through all that, you still haven't taken your DAT yet, and won't be able to send that to schools until January-ish.

You're very late at this point.

 

[YoHomey]

You're very late but can still wind up getting the few spots that will be remaining by the time your app is reviewed. I had a classmate last year who took his DAT in Jan/Feb and got accepted. But his stats were very good.

My guess is that most of the apps that haven't been thrown in the reject pile at that late stage in the app cycle are mostly borderline applicants so if your app stands out from these (or is similar to the ones they granted interviews to back in the summer/fall) then you will get selected for an interview.

 

[journeybegins]

It is pretty late, but it's not impossible. I'm even scared that I'm late 🙁 DAT taken in early October so my application was not complete and sent out to school until last Friday, 10/22.



I don't know what to tell you.

If you have the money and the time, then go for it. You are a bit late, so I don't know how many interview spots will be left by the time the schools review your application.

If you do choose to apply, I would just be PICKY about which schools you really want to go to or can actually see yourself going to. Also look at predents.com to see how far into the months are the interview spots. For example, I'm a little freaked out because I just found out that Case has interview slots filled up to MAY?!?! WHAT IN THE WORLD! I have no idea. I don't think you should apply to a lot of schools unless you REALLY want to give it at shot at that school.


If you have stellar stats, then you can apply to a few and see. If your stats/experiences aren't so stellar, then I would just wait until next cycle to increase your chances. Application processing takes a long time, too so if you are serious about applying, be ready with everything sent to AADSAS in a timely manner--get transcripts sent to AADSAS, then it takes some time to get the GPA verified, then letter of recommendations need to be in, and THEN DAT scores aren't on the AADSAS until 2-3 weeks after you take the American DAT. Then, you wait a little while to hear from schools and if they have to send secondary application to you to submit.


:/ It's a long process. I think the December 1st deadline is more like the deadline to submit your application.

ALSO, you said you were going to take the Canadian DAT. Please look up to see which schools accept Canadian DATs. I believe some schools don't, so you would be wasting money if you applied to these schools unless you plan to take the American one. If you do take the American DAT on Nov 5, it should get processed to AADSAS in 2-3 weeks, then mailed out the following Friday.


Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

 

[YoHomey]

It is pretty late, but it's not impossible. I'm even scared that I'm late 🙁 DAT taken in early October so my application was not complete and sent out to school until last Friday, 10/22.

Even this 10/22 date is deceiving. Schools may have received it on 10/22 but it will take 2-3 weeks for them to process it (no idea why it takes this long) and put it into their system. Once it's ready for review, it'll be at the bottom of the review pile behind the hundreds/thousands of apps that arrived before yours. So it could be a few more weeks before they finally get to yours. Throw in Thanksgiving week and other holidays and it can be delayed further.

Of course, I doubt schools review every single app so the real time line (or review queue line) is probably shorter as they make a reject and review pile based of DAT/GPAs cutoffs after processing and ready for review.

 

[journeybegins]

Even this 10/22 date is deceiving. Schools may have received it on 10/22 but it will take 2-3 weeks for them to process it (no idea why it takes this long) and put it into their system. Once it's ready for review, it'll be at the bottom of the review pile behind the hundreds/thousands of apps that arrived before yours. So it could be a few more weeks before they finally get to yours. Throw in Thanksgiving week and other holidays and it can be delayed further.

Of course, I doubt schools review every single app so the real time line (or review queue line) is probably shorter as they make a reject and review pile based of DAT/GPAs cutoffs after processing and ready for review.

Not exactly true.

I did get an interview invite today, the Monday after my application complete/DAT scores were mailed out, which was Friday! 🙂 So, there is hope!

I also got an email from NYU last Friday that my application is forwarded to be reviewed. I got an email from UOP today that my application is under review. And I got UCSF supplemental application invite today (I know they only sent this out after you get your application complete).


I'm sure it varies for each school the time period....
Just take everything with a grain of salt because nobody really knows -___-...

 

[YoHomey]

Not exactly true.

I did get an interview invite today, the Monday after my application complete/DAT scores were mailed out, which was Friday! 🙂 So, there is hope!

I also got an email from NYU last Friday that my application is forwarded to be reviewed. I got an email from UOP today that my application is under review. And I got UCSF supplemental application invite today (I know they only sent this out after you get your application complete).


I'm sure it varies for each school the time period....
Just take everything with a grain of salt because nobody really knows -___-...

That's whacked. It took all of my schools 2-3 weeks after my app complete date to say it was ready for review. And a few weeks after that before I started to get interviews. But this was August/Sept when there were probably tons of apps backed up. I guess there's not much of a line these days.

 

[lululime]

I was in your shoes last year. I submitted everything by the end of October, and everything depended on that DAT score. Take the American DAT. Trust me on this one if you want a chance this cycle!

Good luck Canadian!

 

[AudreyPhD]

Just take everything with a grain of salt because nobody really knows -___-...

I think this is the only way to go about it.
So, here I am: sending out LOR emails (ooh they're gonna hate me), working on my statement, filling out the (arse long) application form.. and studying for the DAT... while my advisor breathes down my neck for an update on my thesis chapters!!!
woo hoo!

 

[doc toothache]

Let's see:

1. You are a self proclaimed "slacker"
2. You are an international student
3. You are ambivalent about your Ph.D. program
4. Have not taken the DAT

You should start your own Chapter of "Undecided Anonymous". You can be assured that US dental schools Deans are on pins/needles until you push the submit button.

 

[euphaire]

I think this is the only way to go about it.
So, here I am: sending out LOR emails (ooh they're gonna hate me), working on my statement, filling out the (arse long) application form.. and studying for the DAT... while my advisor breathes down my neck for an update on my thesis chapters!!!
woo hoo!

Just looking at the schools' deadlines is not enough for choosing the right schools. Many schools have their internal thing. For instance, some schools confess to their interviewees that they're no longer considering new applications in say, Oct (personal experience). Of course you won't know this because it's not declared publicly. The best way is to call the schools and ask.

 

[dmdluffy]

just looking at the schools' deadlines is not enough for choosing the right schools. Many schools have their internal thing. For instance, some schools confess to their interviewees that they're no longer considering new applications in say, oct (personal experience). Of course you won't know this because it's not declared publicly. The best way is to call the schools and ask.

+1

 

[journeybegins]

Just looking at the schools' deadlines is not enough for choosing the right schools. Many schools have their internal thing. For instance, some schools confess to their interviewees that they're no longer considering new applications in say, Oct (personal experience). Of course you won't know this because it's not declared publicly. The best way is to call the schools and ask.

Scary thoughts.