application and DAT submission time

[deeUGA]

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Hi guys! I will be applying this coming up 2010 cycle. I have not taken my DATs but have signed up for a Kaplan course that ends May 16th. Because I also have finals the first two weeks of May, I was planning on studying some after May 16th, before taking the DATs. Then I found out that it takes 4 weeks(??) just for official DAT scores to be sent out. I was also told that you cannot apply without a DAT score. Now what I am wondering is can you submit your application as soon as you take the DATs with an unofficial score (and is this not recommended for any reason) or can you only submit after you have "official scores." I would ideally like to study for about 3 weeks after May 16th and then take the DATs, but of course if I can not apply a month after my DAT date due to waiting for official scores, then that puts me at being able to submit in July.

Also, if I submit everything by the beginning of July and I have average stats, do you think I am hurting myself a lot by not submitting say around mid-June?

 

[rpatel8]

I don't know who told you that but I'm pretty sure you CAN submit your application without DAT scores.

 

[Vicviper]

Yes, many people submit their application in June and take the test in July.

 

[deeUGA]

So if I go ahead and submit it in June without DAT scores (and take the DAT later in June), this will not affect when they review my application? As in, will my submission date still be considered June?

 

[Dent44]

You can submit, send your letters of recommendation and official transcripts and even if it takes a few extra weeks to get your DAT scores there, you'll still be pretty early.

Only thing you want to remember though is that you aren't leaving yourself any room to push it off if you truly feel unprepared to take it at that time. So just be on top of things so you can really focus on studying in the weeks leading up to the DAT... get your personal statement out of the way now and make sure all your letters are ready to go well in advance etc... do what you can to make sure you wont be stressing about anything else - the DAT is stressful enough!

GOOD LUCK!! 🙂

 

[deeUGA]

Ya, I was actually planning to get the personal statement and application stuff written up way ahead of time so that come June, all I need to do is type it into the application. I just have a busy schedule this semester and so I won't be able to study as much as I'd like until after finals.

So to get this strait, the date when your DAT scores are sent in does not affect when it is reviewed? And this reviewing process....that means verifying the GPA, right? So after the GPA reviewing is done, is the application sent out to schools? Can I send my DAT score after they do this or will they not send it to schools until they receive a DAT score?

 

[Vicviper]

Ya, I was actually planning to get the personal statement and application stuff written up way ahead of time so that come June, all I need to do is type it into the application. I just have a busy schedule this semester and so I won't be able to study as much as I'd like until after finals.

So to get this strait, the date when your DAT scores are sent in does not affect when it is reviewed? And this reviewing process....that means verifying the GPA, right? So after the GPA reviewing is done, is the application sent out to schools? Can I send my DAT score after they do this or will they not send it to schools until they receive a DAT score?

GPA reviewing is done by AADSAS, when it's busy, they can take anywhere from a day to a few weeks to do this. After that, they send it out in the next mailing cycle, from what I remember, it's like every other week that they send out apps. The DAT has nothing to do with AADSAS other than the optional section where you can write in your score. You send your DAT scores to the schools through the ADEA, and you select which schools you want to send to when you sign up for the DAT. If you apply in June, your have your place held in line as a June applicant - it makes sense that applications will be reviewed in the order received. Most schools start looking at application in August or September, so if they don't have your DAT scores before then, it doesn't matter. If you take the DAT in July, your scores can then be sent to the schools and be matched to your application file before they start looking at them. Now, if you don't take the DAT before they start looking at them, you may be pushed further back in line.

 

[deeUGA]

I think I will have my application ready to send the first week of June. If I take the DAT in about a month or a little longer AFTER I submit, then I run the risk of my application being processed before my DAT scores being sent out. That means schools who receive my application will put it on hold until they get my DAT score, right? This worries me because I heard that sometimes this hold status causes your application to be put to the side in some situations. Is this the case, or is your application put back into the pile AS SOON AS dat scores are received?

I guess I am trying to determine the if it is better to send my application in as early as possible and take the chance of having my DAT scores get to the school's admissions office after the application OR have them both get there at the same time by submitting my application 2-4 weeks later?

 

[Lostone]

The best thing to do would be e-submit your application sometime in june and take the DAT when you feel you are ready(I am sure you will need more then just one kaplan course, I took it and it was not enough at all, get topscore,achiever, destroyer). Whenever the school gets your application, they will start processing it and then let you know what is missing. As soon as they receive all the missing items, they will "possibly" start reveiwing your complete file. However, most of the schools do not start reviewing applicants untill september or late august so dont worry that much. And one more thing, when you e-submit your application, it will take weeks for AADSAS to process it and then send it out to schools, plus the whole GPA calculation thingy takes time and LORs submission, so take your time and study untill you are ready to rock it.