Can use some advice

[qdent]

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I'm planning on taking the DAT end of the summer. I'll be studying for it june and july, and won't be working or anything. I'm currently at about 3.3o and 3.1s. I have about 15 shadowing hours, 1 semester peer tutor, 1 semester of research at a dental school working directly with patients, and <50 hours of volunteering. I'm thinking to take the DAT first week of august, is 2 months of studying enough? I'm definitely working on bringing up my GPA, I can still reach ~3.5/3.4 if I get mostly A's by the time I graduate next may. I wasn't intending on applying next cycle, rather summer of 2013, but under what circumstances (DAT score) if any should I apply this summer in August after I take the DAT?

I appreciate the advice!

 

[Double Bonded]

I'm planning on taking the DAT end of the summer. I'll be studying for it june and july, and won't be working or anything. I'm currently at about 3.3o and 3.1s. I have about 15 shadowing hours, 1 semester peer tutor, 1 semester of research at a dental school working directly with patients, and <50 hours of volunteering. I'm thinking to take the DAT first week of august, is 2 months of studying enough? I'm definitely working on bringing up my GPA, I can still reach ~3.5/3.4 if I get mostly A's by the time I graduate next may. I wasn't intending on applying next cycle, rather summer of 2013, but under what circumstances (DAT score) if any should I apply this summer in August after I take the DAT?

I appreciate the advice!

There's no set rule on what DAT scores would make it safe for you to apply, just what you would be comfortable with. If I were in your position, I'd only apply with a 3.3/3.1 GPA if I got above a 22 on both TS and AA. Don't rush by any means though. If you can graduate with a 3.5/3.4, you'll fare a lot better than with a 3.3/3.1.

Also get more shadowing hours, 15 hours is too few.

 

[crax]

With you plans of applying summer of 2013, you will easily be able to study for a summer. I studied after graduating may 20th or so until my exam on july 28th and did pretty well, with similar stats to yours. If you push that back another 3 weeks into the third week of august ~20th? you would be set! Just make sure early on you study hard, and dont cram it all into the end of the summer. Because if you slack off and get overwhelmed come july, you would be stressed, possibly perform poorly, and then be forced to restudy, retake the exam, and have wasted a whole summer. (This was something i was concerned about as my test date approached, so figured id throw it out there)

During the school year or winter break, or even summer 2013 you should get your shadowing hours up to ~100. apps dont open until june 1st, and even then it doesnt matter if you apply untill the 2nd/3rd week i believe to make the "first batch".
shoot for >21 and i think you would do very well, and it wouldnt be too stressful.

Getting the DAT done with a full summer of studying is a good idea, and when you apply a year later with an improved GPA, upward trend, and June completed application you will be in a great position.

 

[JdogDMD]

Apply next summer. Your current GPA is what will be on the application, not the GPA you will "hopefully" have when you graduate. Plus if you're not taking the DAT until August, that's 3 months after the application opens and your scores won't be available for another month after that so really, your application won't be going to schools until September and most people will be having interviews already. You'll be way behind in the game and may not even be looked especially if you don't do well on the DAT. Good luck though!

 

[lillified]

If you manage to get 20+ AA and TS then I would apply this year. I applied with very similar stats to yours (+.1 in both ogpa and sgpa) and got into several schools. Take your dat in August; two months of straight studying should be more than enough. Honestly, I would just apply this year because it gets more competitive each year.

 

[dentalprodigy]

Yea apply

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[bikedoc]

If you manage to get 20+ AA and TS then I would apply this year. I applied with very similar stats to yours (+.1 in both ogpa and sgpa) and got into several schools. Take your dat in August; two months of straight studying should be more than enough. Honestly, I would just apply this year because it gets more competitive each year.

I would apply this year as well. Just have to rock out the DAT.

 

[Seamonkey Doc]

I'm planning on taking the DAT end of the summer. I'll be studying for it june and july, and won't be working or anything. I'm currently at about 3.3o and 3.1s. I have about 15 shadowing hours, 1 semester peer tutor, 1 semester of research at a dental school working directly with patients, and <50 hours of volunteering. I'm thinking to take the DAT first week of august, is 2 months of studying enough? I'm definitely working on bringing up my GPA, I can still reach ~3.5/3.4 if I get mostly A's by the time I graduate next may. I wasn't intending on applying next cycle, rather summer of 2013, but under what circumstances (DAT score) if any should I apply this summer in August after I take the DAT?

I appreciate the advice!

Two months of studying should be enough for most people. and if you can bring your GPA up, you should be alright.

First of all, you'll need more than 15 shadowing hours. Lots of people here advise to get about 100. But I've known people to get in with 50-75 as well. Second, you can apply in August but it can put you at a disadvantage because tons of people apply in June and July. But it doesn't hurt to try, especially if you have really good test scores and a nice GPA, as well other positive things.

Good luck

 

[Kentuckylover]

Two months of studying should be enough for most people. and if you can bring your GPA up, you should be alright.

First of all, you'll need more than 15 shadowing hours. Lots of people here advise to get about 100. But I've known people to get in with 50-75 as well. Second, you can apply in August but it can put you at a disadvantage because tons of people apply in June and July. But it doesn't hurt to try, especially if you have really good test scores and a nice GPA, as well other positive things.

Good luck

Ditto

 

[timwatley]

I'm planning on taking the DAT end of the summer. I'll be studying for it june and july, and won't be working or anything. I'm currently at about 3.3o and 3.1s. I have about 15 shadowing hours, 1 semester peer tutor, 1 semester of research at a dental school working directly with patients, and <50 hours of volunteering. I'm thinking to take the DAT first week of august, is 2 months of studying enough? I'm definitely working on bringing up my GPA, I can still reach ~3.5/3.4 if I get mostly A's by the time I graduate next may. I wasn't intending on applying next cycle, rather summer of 2013, but under what circumstances (DAT score) if any should I apply this summer in August after I take the DAT?

I appreciate the advice!

2 months of studying is more than enough. I played around with my DAT material for a long time before I realized how inefficient my studying was. I was scared to take a practice test and didn't work out many problems.

It's scary, but try to take a practice test as soon as possible. You'll do bad most likely, but it shows you where you need to study. Working out test like problems is amazing practice. Don't get to involved with memorizing pointless information. The more practice tests you take, the more you start to realize what topics are consistently covered. Top score is a great sample test resource. I would say if you're smart about it, it would be possible to be ready in a month of solid studying.

 

[qdent]

I appreciate the responses. I've been told my many people I should just apply this summer, that I have nothing to lose. I was initially planning on applying june 2013 and just getting the dat out of the way. What are my realistic chances with a ~3.3o and ~3.1s assuming I do well on the dat? What doesn't show is my BCP which is well below a 3.0, I've gotten multiple C's and B's, with no A's in BCP classes. My EC's aren't great, but I'll be continuing research at a dental school with a scholarship this summer. I'm taking my dat end of summer so my app would not even be complete until late august. Please let me know what you guys think I should do, it's becoming stressful to make a decision!

 

[dantemac]

Those people are correct, you have nothing to lose by applying. Two months is enough to study and get a high score, which you need for your application. I would recommend a 20 or 21 at the least.

 

[qdent]

Yes, but do you think I have a realistic chance if I did well on the dat? I feel like my ec's aren't good enough and my grades need to go up first. That's why I'm hesitant on applying on this year.