Application Withdrawal?

[NCSMILES]

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Hello all, I have all but decided to withdraw my application to D-school this year and would like your input on pros/cons.

Brief history: I applied through AADSAS in June and submitted only 1 secondary thus far. I was in the process of studying for the DAT but due to some things going on in my personal life (relocation with my current job and wife going back to school), I will not be able to take the DAT until probably as early as October or November. I am afraid that taking the DAT that late in the cycle will really hurt my application. I was thinking I should just withraw the app for this year and apply next year. Will it hurt me for future applications if I withdraw my current application?

What do you think? 😕

 

[Sprgrover]

If your wife is willing to relocate next year and the switch to dental school is feasible, I would encourage you to continue with the application process. It is more important to get your AADSAS application out on time than taking the DAT early. Your DAT scores have a quick turn-around time from when you take them and when they are sent out to the various schools. I know people that have taken the DAT in October/November and were accepted. While applying and taking the DAT early certainly gives you a slight advantage, I don't think you are disadvantaged as you believe. Do you feel that you could take the DAT in October and get a satisfactory score on it? Are there other things in your personal life that you feel might distract from your performance during this admissions cycle? Would waiting a year be good for your home life and relationship with your wife?

As far as withdrawing your application, I don't think it should hurt you too much, if at all. Some schools do have a section on their secondary application that asks if you have ever applied to their school, or any health professional school, in the past. I would imagine that if you checked 'yes' then that might surface in an interview. Best of luck!

 

[Lumbee.Dr]

NCSmiles
I encourage you to continue with your application process this year. I truly understand how obstacles seem to be strategically placed in your way to keep you from reaching your goals. Trust me, these are tests of our strength.

Take the DAT in October and continue with this process. You have put so much effort into this years ap. cycle, that it would be a shame to let it go to waste.

Many people told me in the beginning that I was wasting my time by going back to school at age 26, married with two boys. Now, two years later here I am finishing my last semester of undergrad. I have worked full time night shift, carried 18 credit hours/semester, and raised a family while preparing myself for dental school. My advisor at school does not understand why or how I have been able to accomplish this and maintain a 3.8GPA. My answer is discipline and determination.

As some of the SDN'ers know, one of my obstacles has been a low DAT score (AA16 🙁 ). I have applied to dental school, submitted secondaries, and I am retaking the DAT 9/7 (Studying harder this time). So, I am not much earlier than you will be. Maybe this is a sign that you are meant to take the test in Oct. in order to get an awesome score!!

Just don't give up, because you will be surprised at what you are capable of. 😉

 

[NCSMILES]

Thanks for the replies, I appreciate the encouragement that both of you gave.

I am still thinking I may have to hold off until next year. I really don't won't to blow the DAT and my job relocation is really putting a major damper on my studying! 😡

Any other advice from SDNers?

 

[Eddie830]

My advice would be if you have the time and most importantly the money to fill out all the secondaries, go for it. As for taking the time to fill them out, you shouldn't worry so much about "wasting" time b/c you could just make photo copies of all your secondaries and it would make it that much easier to apply next year if you happen to not get in. Of course, if you are hoping to get into a specific school (ie. state school or one close to home), I would say wait off until next year and have your app completed early to increase your chances.

 

[spooky42]

I made a career change last year and took the Dat in Nov. I got into the schools i wanted. Try not to worry about your job relocation since dentistry is your future. Just go for it now and youll be fine.

 

[toony]

i've heard the latest day you can take the DAT is even in december (for some cali schools). if i were you, i would not withdraw the application.. and it's pretty costly too.. i had only 3 weeks to study for the DAT but it went just fine!