Application timing suggestion

[Shouvikp1]

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I'm currently a Junior predent, i'm semi-freaking out about weather or not I should apply this summer or take a year off and apply after my senior year/graduation. My GPA is ~3.3 as of now.

Heres my current situation; I have not taken the DAT yet, and I am taking a physics class over the summer which runs from May 23rd - July 1st. The lecture is online and the lab is twice a week for two hours. My LOR situation is just in the beginning stages (just recently asked profs to write me them, still waiting on responses). So my question is do you guys think I should take physics and study for the DAT at the same time? Then take the DAT around late June/early July and send in my app? I will also be working/volunteering at a dental clinic. The thing is I have a feeling the entire process will be too rushed, and I don't want to submit an app too late. The other option is I could study the rest of the summer for the DAT, take it at the end of summer, and apply early the next cycle.

Any help or input is greatly appreciated!!!

 

[jazane08]

You know your capabilities best. Try taking a practice exam and see where you score. You'll also get a gist of the level of difficulty and amount of material you'll be tested on. From there I would determine if YOU think you can handle all the material, school and volunteering. The DAT is a very doable test. As long as you study right, I think you can handle one class, volunteering, AND the test. Just make sure you take good care of your body because you don't want to get sick before your test. It seems like every year the cycle gets more competitive. So I would give it a shot this time and hopefully you won't have to experience next year's cycle. Best of luck to you

 

[dentalWorks]

I'm currently a Junior predent, i'm semi-freaking out about weather or not I should apply this summer or take a year off and apply after my senior year/graduation. My GPA is ~3.3 as of now.

Heres my current situation; I have not taken the DAT yet, and I am taking a physics class over the summer which runs from May 23rd - July 1st. The lecture is online and the lab is twice a week for two hours. My LOR situation is just in the beginning stages (just recently asked profs to write me them, still waiting on responses). So my question is do you guys think I should take physics and study for the DAT at the same time? Then take the DAT around late June/early July and send in my app? I will also be working/volunteering at a dental clinic. The thing is I have a feeling the entire process will be too rushed, and I don't want to submit an app too late. The other option is I could study the rest of the summer for the DAT, take it at the end of summer, and apply early the next cycle.

Any help or input is greatly appreciated!!!

either option is good.....

Me personally, I'd take the slower option and apply next year.... but thats just me.

 

[Philippines03j]

I was in the same boat last year. I was not going to apply but I was talking quite a bit with one of the admissions offices and the strongly suggested that I apply (based on GPA and extracurricular). They thought I had a good chance. At the time my overall gpa was in the 3.4 range and slightly lower science gpa. They said perform well on the DAT and I would be fine. I did not take my DAT until LATE August but turned everything else in early. I felt it was important that i did well on the dat whether I got in or not (DID NOT WANT TO REPEAT it!). I ended up to decent on it. Infact better than what admissions for the one school said I needed to do. I did not get an acceptance at that school BUT I did get accpeted elsewhere! I am happy I did what i did 👍 If I would not have gotten in it would have been a good learning experience and I would have felt confident for getting in the next year. There are always things you may want to change the next year.

MY 1 cent!

 

[Shouvikp1]

How long after taking the DAT would the scores get to AADSAS? Would applying without the DAT score be too risky in case of a sub-par score?

 

[dentalWorks]

How long after taking the DAT would the scores get to AADSAS? Would applying without the DAT score be too risky in case of a sub-par score?

3-4 weeks.
Well... you can apply without DAT score, but the schools won't look at your application until its complete (meaning official DAT score + all LORs are available)

 

[Philippines03j]

I finished late August and my scores were into the schools about 2 weeks later. They may not be as busy later in the cycle therefore it may be quicker. Otherwise, ya 3-4 weeks.

 

[Veloce]

I took physics and studied for the DAT at the same time. Wasn't easy, but it wasn't a problem.

I think it works better to study 8-10 hours a day for 1 month than to spread it out.

 

[Shouvikp1]

I always read on these forums of people who "made the mistake" of apply late, what is considered late? I know its beneficial to apply early, would mid July or early August still be considered an early application submission?

 

[dantemac]

I was in the same boat and waited a year to apply. It's been really nice because I have had time to prepare everything for my school's committee, study for the DAT for months, etc. Definitely don't rush anything.