Choosing when to apply - this cycle or next cycle?

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[ATG20]

Hi guys! I'm pretty new to SDN, but I thought I could get some input for my question...

I'm currently a junior at a large public university in the tri-state area. I'm trying to decide whether to apply this cycle or next cycle. The original plan was to apply this cycle as early as possible. However, I haven't taken my DAT yet and coupled with my anxiety issues, I don't feel comfortable taking the DAT in July and then applying right after with little to no leeway if I mess up somehow. I have been preparing for the test when I get time here and there, but I wouldn't be able to seriously prepare until the end of the semester, which is in mid-May. I don't feel like 1.5 months is enough time for me, personally, to prepare. At the same time, I do not want to take it in August and ruin my chances of being accepted by applying late in the cycle. Yet, I'm not sure if that would hurt me too much because my GPA etc. is pretty good.

Here is an overview of my stats:
Overall GPA = 3.96
Science GPA = 4.00
-200+ hours of research
-100+ hours of tutoring undergraduates and at-risk youth in a neighboring town
-50+ hours of shadowing (I know this is low; it's another reason why I'm leaning towards applying next cycle)
-Other volunteer work at the hospital, soup kitchen, and as a peer mentor

One thing that worries me about applying next cycle is the gap year. I'm really not sure what I'd do for a whole year. I don't think I'd be able to get a real job with just a BA in Cell Bio, and I don't know how impressive it looks to simply shadow, volunteer, research etc. for another year.

Also, I took my first practice DAT before any real prep and here were my scores. I'm not sure what I'd be able to score with a few months of serious prep.
Bio-19
GC-19
OC-19
QR-18
RC-22
PAT-16 (I suck at this section!)
*This was the test in the big Kaplan blue book. I'm not completely sure how representative it is of the actual test.

Thanks in advance for any input!

Just buckle down and take the DAT. If you don't feel you'd be able to get a secure job in your year off, then don't wait. Your GPA is good. Buy some PAT software, practice for a couple hours a day, and lightly study Bio and Math until May. Once you're out, study OC/GC for 6 weeks. I took my DAT while job-hunting, trying to graduate, and finishing some research projects. It wasn't easy, but neither will DS be, so put in the effort now. I did it and so can you.

 

[dentalWorks]

Hi guys! I'm pretty new to SDN, but I thought I could get some input for my question...

I'm currently a junior at a large public university in the tri-state area. I'm trying to decide whether to apply this cycle or next cycle. The original plan was to apply this cycle as early as possible. However, I haven't taken my DAT yet and coupled with my anxiety issues, I don't feel comfortable taking the DAT in July and then applying right after with little to no leeway if I mess up somehow. I have been preparing for the test when I get time here and there, but I wouldn't be able to seriously prepare until the end of the semester, which is in mid-May. I don't feel like 1.5 months is enough time for me, personally, to prepare. At the same time, I do not want to take it in August and ruin my chances of being accepted by applying late in the cycle. Yet, I'm not sure if that would hurt me too much because my GPA etc. is pretty good.

Here is an overview of my stats:
Overall GPA = 3.96
Science GPA = 4.00
-200+ hours of research
-100+ hours of tutoring undergraduates and at-risk youth in a neighboring town
-50+ hours of shadowing (I know this is low; it's another reason why I'm leaning towards applying next cycle)
-Other volunteer work at the hospital, soup kitchen, and as a peer mentor

One thing that worries me about applying next cycle is the gap year. I'm really not sure what I'd do for a whole year. I don't think I'd be able to get a real job with just a BA in Cell Bio, and I don't know how impressive it looks to simply shadow, volunteer, research etc. for another year.

Also, I took my first practice DAT before any real prep and here were my scores. I'm not sure what I'd be able to score with a few months of serious prep.
Bio-19
GC-19
OC-19
QR-18
RC-22
PAT-16 (I suck at this section!)
*This was the test in the big Kaplan blue book. I'm not completely sure how representative it is of the actual test.

Thanks in advance for any input!

thats the advantage of having a huge undergrad GPA... you don't have to stress out over the DAT too much... anything in the 19+ range is plenty enough.

Just get the Crack DAT PAT software, I started off with like 15s and 16s, and the CDP took me to 20s in matter of weeks.

 

[ATG20]

thats the advantage of having a huge undergrad GPA... you don't have to stress out over the DAT too much... anything in the 19+ range is plenty enough.

Just get the Crack DAT PAT software, I started off with like 15s and 16s, and the CDP took me to 20s in matter of weeks.

Exactly. DentalWorks, I just realized it was your DAT study guidelines that I went off last Spring when prepping for my own DAT! I printed them out and went off there. I took out Chad's and put in the American Chemical Society guides and condensed it to 6 weeks, but it def paid off. 🙂

OP, start studying casually now, and 6-7 weeks of heavy studying should get you into the 20+ club.