DAT during summer after sophomore year.. Thoughts?

[Dgeorg6]

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Thoughts on this??

I am currently a sophomore and thinking about taking the DAT this coming up summer to give me a ton of time to study it compared to being rushed to take it after junior year and having 4-6 weeks to study in order to be an early applicant.

I will have already taken General Biology 1 and 2 along with Genetics and Micro and 4 labs while also having General Chem 1 and 2 along with Organic 1 and 2 and 4 hours of chem lab out of the way.

Just seemed easier to have the whole summer to prepare for the DAT and take it before entering my Junior year, while also being able to have enough time to re take it if i dont get the scores i need..

Anyways, any thoughts would be nice. Just trying to weigh the pro's and con's of the situation!

 

[zgoettsc]

Thoughts on this??

I am currently a sophomore and thinking about taking the DAT this coming up summer to give me a ton of time to study it compared to being rushed to take it after junior year and having 4-6 weeks to study in order to be an early applicant.

I will have already taken General Biology 1 and 2 along with Genetics and Micro and 4 labs while also having General Chem 1 and 2 along with Organic 1 and 2 and 4 hours of chem lab out of the way.

Just seemed easier to have the whole summer to prepare for the DAT and take it before entering my Junior year, while also being able to have enough time to re take it if i dont get the scores i need..

Anyways, any thoughts would be nice. Just trying to weigh the pro's and con's of the situation!

That's what I chose to do. I applied this summer after only two years of college. By the time this school year is over I will have completed all of the required courses. So yeah I would totally do it.

 

[tayloreve]

This is exactly what I'm doing. I think this is the best idea, unless you are hardcore and can study for DAT while taking classes. I plan on starting to study beginning of June and taking early September right before school starts. Plus organic will be fresh from your memory so it will make studying for that part a little easier. I will of taken the exact same classes at the end of this year. Sucks we can't take more upper level bio classes before taking the DAT, but I think it'll be alright! Plus, if you do terrible first time taking it, you will have plenty of time for a retake. But lets hope that doesnt happen 😀

 

[MatthewLeeDDS]

I'm with the other posters. If you're ready, take it! Nothing like getting it off your chest. I did mine over december break of my Jr year and I'm so glad I did. I only had 1 bio class when I studied for the DAT by the way so you already look more prepared than I was in terms of classes you've taken. Do it! I don't really see any cons considering you've taken the classes you need.

 

[dapplicant]

DO IT!!! 👍

 

[PreDent321]

Bro, just take it when you think you'll be able to achieve the best possible score. No masterminding involved.

 

[crackedbytheDAT]

i would definitely do it the summer after sophomore year. that's what i did this last summer and it worked out great. I didn't have orgo 2 or orgo lab done, so i had a little studying to do, but did just fine. i gave the test 3 days before moving into school so i had some DAT hangover. didnt do any school work for like 3 weeks and i bombed a problem set lol. if i were you start a couple weeks after school ends and finish a few weeks before school starts again.

 

[reely989]

If I had it to do over again, summer of sophomore year would be when I took it. Having organic fresh on your mind, not too far removed from general chem, and you've probably had 3 or 4 bios to really give yourself a good base there. I say go for it. One less thing you have to deal with later.

 

[dantemac]

I tried to take it after soph year, but decided I wasn't ready. But still, it is a good strategy if you have the gumption to study for it.

 

[Dgeorg6]

Thanks for the insight guys. So far I haven't heard any cons lol

 

[krose1011]

this is the best way to do it. I'm taking my DAT this summer too.

 

[olive6]

taking it early was the best decision i ever made!!! i'm so glad i got it over with when everything was fresh in my mind, and now all i have to worry about is keeping my grades up, lor's, and the actual application!

 

[Mr PS09]

Do it for sure. Make sure your schedule is completely clear. No classes, no work, no traveling. Get it done and over with.

 

[Dgeorg6]

Yeah, i figured i would just spend the whole summer volunteering, shadowing, and studying for the DAT lol. 2-3 months of solid studying should be enough lol

 

[LittleTomato]

It's better to take it during the summer because you only have to focus on one thing, as opposed to Spring of your Junior year when you'll probably be taking some tough classes.

 

[Pandoo]

do itt . thats what i did.

im applying now and got some interviews, so theres nothing wrong w/ taking it early

 

[iralex801]

I took it sophomore summer too. During junior summer you have to apply and taking the DATs then is just added stress. Also, if you do bad when you take it sophomore summer, you have a chance to retake it before applying.

 

[dantemac]

I will say, that although I didn't end up taking it the sophomore year summer, studying for it was a breeze. ochem and gen chem fresh-ish on your mind, should have taken bio recently...there is definetely some upside to taking it early