Course work and studying before DAT

[fan2342]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hey all,

I am in a little predicament. I am currently registered for fall semester
Orgo I/lab
A&P I/lab
Genetics/lab
Research

Winter semester
Orgo II/lab
A&P II lab
Microbio/lab
Cell and molec
Research

I am going to be taking the DAT in June of next year. Am I overloading my courses for my sophomore year and if so, what can I take out and still do well on the DAT? UCLA is my dream dental school and I really want to go there and do well on the DAT but I don't want my gpa to suffer. What do you guys recommend? Biochemistry isn't an option either since I have to take it after Orgo II.

 

[JLT223]

You're going to eventually have to take biochemistry as it is a pre-req for UCLA.

 

[fan2342]

You're going to eventually have to take biochemistry as it is a pre-req for UCLA.

I understand that. I am taking it junior year. I just can't take it before the DAT

 

[Ari Rezaei]

All you need for the DAT is bio 1+2, gen chem 1+2, and orgo 1+2. I think genetics and cell/molecular biology will definitely help, but they're not absolutely necessary like bio 1+2. You don't need A&P for the DAT, so if your concerned about being overloaded, I'd push those classes back (or not even take them if they're not a part of your major, you'll get a thorough course in that in dental school).

 

[fan2342]

All you need for the DAT is bio 1+2, gen chem 1+2, and orgo 1+2. I think genetics and cell/molecular biology will definitely help, but they're not absolutely necessary like bio 1+2. You don't need A&P for the DAT, so if your concerned about being overloaded, I'd push those classes back (or not even take them if they're not a part of your major, you'll get a thorough course in that in dental school).

My major is bio so I have to take them. Would it be better to not take microbio or none of anatomy before the dat?

 

[Ari Rezaei]

I think the most important thing at this stage is to get A's in your classes, that'll be the best prep for the DAT and set you up for success in the admissions cycle. It's tough to do that while taking a heavy science course load, if it were up to me I'd hold off on taking anatomy and move microbio to the fall. That way you only have two science classes in the spring when you start studying for the DAT, which is much more manageable. You know your own situation the best though, I'd talk it over with your advisor to make sure you're not missing anything critical by doing that for your major.

 

[DAT Destroyer]

Hey all,

I am in a little predicament. I am currently registered for fall semester
Orgo I/lab
A&P I/lab
Genetics/lab
Research

Winter semester
Orgo II/lab
A&P II lab
Microbio/lab
Cell and molec
Research

I am going to be taking the DAT in June of next year. Am I overloading my courses for my sophomore year and if so, what can I take out and still do well on the DAT? UCLA is my dream dental school and I really want to go there and do well on the DAT but I don't want my gpa to suffer. What do you guys recommend? Biochemistry isn't an option either since I have to take it after Orgo II.

Hey all,

I am in a little predicament. I am currently registered for fall semester
Orgo I/lab
A&P I/lab
Genetics/lab
Research

Winter semester
Orgo II/lab
A&P II lab
Microbio/lab
Cell and molec
Research

I am going to be taking the DAT in June of next year. Am I overloading my courses for my sophomore year and if so, what can I take out and still do well on the DAT? UCLA is my dream dental school and I really want to go there and do well on the DAT but I don't want my gpa to suffer. What do you guys recommend? Biochemistry isn't an option either since I have to take it after Orgo II.

Hi TheRealBaller06,

I highly recommend talking to your advisor or even students in your predent club. Your focus should be on maintaining as high a GPA as possible. Orgo 1 and 2 are VERY challenging so a lot of effort should be put towards obtaining an A in this course. Do not let Organic Chemistry pull down your science GPA , it can and does happen.

Just my 2 cents.

Nancy

 

[fan2342]

Hi TheRealBaller06,

I highly recommend talking to your advisor or even students in your predent club. Your focus should be on maintaining as high a GPA as possible. Orgo 1 and 2 are VERY challenging so a lot of effort should be put towards obtaining an A in this course. Do not let Organic Chemistry pull down your science GPA , it can and does happen.

Just my 2 cents.

Nancy

my advisor isn't helping at all and keeps saying it's based off what I think.

 

[fan2342]

I just looked at previous DAT exams and there were a decent amount of A&P and microbio on there. Is it something I can teach myself or should I take the class?

 

[JLT223]

I just looked at previous DAT exams and there were a decent amount of A&P and microbio on there. Is it something I can teach myself or should I take the class?

Teach it to yourself. It's very basic.

 

[fan2342]

Teach it to yourself. It's very basic.

so you say I take genetics orgo and 2 more classes fall semester and micro, ergo, cell and molec, and one more class winter semester before the dat?

 

[fan2342]

Okay last thing. Out of all these classes, which would people who recently took the dat say I shouldn't take this year and wait until after the dat or just take all the classes?