Applying Early without DAT?

[crazy4clana]

---

Members do not see this ad.

How much of an advantage is it to apply early without taking the DAT? Will they set aside your application if it's not complete?

 

[ummjoey]

you can submit june 1st (you dont need DAT scores) and AADSAS says verification of your transcripts can take 4 weeks. therefore you can take your DAT july 1st and the scores should reach the schools at about the same time as the main application. you might even be able to take it in august and still be considered early. there are a lot of factors that can delay the application.

dental schools will not look at your application until it is complete. no DAT scores means it is not complete.

schools will also not look at your application if you dont mail them the $60 (around that price) application processing fee. each school is different you can check for what each school wants on AADSAS under the FAQs for supplementary materials.

these were true for the 2008 application process. i dont know if things changed for 2009

 

[blankguy]

The biggest delay is the application, Transcripts, and recommendations. AADSAS has to process them and send them to the schools. That can take a month or two. DAT scores are sent directly to the schools AADSAS doesn't handle them so get the application done first. You want the last remaining stuff to be the DAT if you are not intending to have the application complete in one fell swoop.
DAT scores get to the schools faster.

 

[ummjoey]

sorry i forgot to mention this.

a benefit to take your DAT before you submit AADSAS is so you can pick your schools better. when you submit you have no idea what your scores are. if you got like 25s across the board then you probably dont have to apply to 20-30 schools.

 

[crazy4clana]

Thanks for your help!

Another question, you are supposed to apply at the end of junior year correct?

 

[ummjoey]

apply end of junior year (june) -> do secondary over summer -> interview fall and winter of senior year -> graduate undergrad -> chill over summer -> into dental school following fall

edit: apply when you are ready. there is no rush. i actually think dental schools like an older applicant. you are more mature, ready to take on more responsibilities, more wisdom, more life experiences, and all that good stuff that comes with age.

 

[smile101]

you have 4 weeks to take ur DAT after you submit ur AADSAS application!

 

[crazy4clana]

Thanks!

Does everyone receive secondaries? Or do they weed out uncompetitive applicants then?

 

[ummjoey]

no idea...

but in my head i think every school is different. some schools might have a "filter" for people with gpa under 1.5 and DAT under 15 or something. but i am not sure if anyone knows unless they've asked the admissions committee. you can try calling and see what happens? sorry i think someone else can answer this question better....

 

[CMistry]

no idea...

but in my head i think every school is different. some schools might have a "filter" for people with gpa under 1.5 and DAT under 15 or something. but i am not sure if anyone knows unless they've asked the admissions committee. you can try calling and see what happens? sorry i think someone else can answer this question better....

There are filters, but the criteria is often much stricter than that. There are some schools which weed out people with less than 18 on any section of the DAT, there are others that weed out below 3.X, etc. The ADEA guide is very helpful at this. Also most schools do NOT have secondaries, you just pay the fee and wait for an invite.

-Cyrus

 

[crazy4clana]

Oh okay, it seems so weird to be applying so early! Ahh grad school is sooo close!

 

[ummjoey]

yeah.........it will be fast. i still remember 1 year ago when i was in the process. but you still got about a year and a half before you actually start dental school.

 

[DGDDS]

Some schools have secondaries, some don't. Some have additional applications to fill out if you get an interview, some don't. For some schools the "secondary" is just sending them their $75 check. Depends on the school. You can check the "supplementary information" section in the new AADSAS to see which schools require what (but this is by no means a comprehensive list, when in doubt, check the school's admission website).