DAT in July or August?

[Missserica]

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Hi everyone 🙂 ,

I am planning on applying to dental school for 2006 and submitting my application in May. I have yet to take the DAT, but I have a question regarding when exactly I should take it because I am going to take Kaplan for sure. Here are my two options and I keep hearing applying earlier is better so.. here's my situation.

1) Take Kaplan's session 05/23/05-07/09/05. It is perfect timing b/c I get out of school like the week before, so I can take a one week break before I get cracking. Also, taking the DAT in mid-July is good right? And get the test over with. The thing is, the Kaplan center is 15 miles away ..about a 35-40 minute drive away from me. Just worried about gas and stuff..

2) Or take Kaplan's session during 06/18/05-08/27/05. The thing is, this Kaplan center is a 5 minute drive and is in the same town where I live! I also have one month to just chill and not do anything.. study? maybe .. Is taking the DAT at the end of August too late?

So what do you think? Although I'm not even applying yet, I turn to SDN for advice for every little thing!

Thanks!!

- Erica T.

BTW, I just thought that maybe I should have posted this in the DAT section.

 

[DMD_hopeful]

I am planning on applying to dental school for 2006 and submitting my application in May. I have yet to take the DAT, but I have a question regarding when exactly I should take it because I am going to take Kaplan for sure. Here are my two options and I keep hearing applying earlier is better so.. here's my situation.

1) Take Kaplan's session 05/23/05-07/09/05. It is perfect timing b/c I get out of school like the week before, so I can take a one week break before I get cracking. Also, taking the DAT in mid-July is good right? And get the test over with. The thing is, the Kaplan center is 15 miles away ..about a 35-40 minute drive away from me. Just worried about gas and stuff..

2) Or take Kaplan's session during 06/18/05-08/27/05. The thing is, this Kaplan center is a 5 minute drive and is in the same town where I live! I also have one month to just chill and not do anything.. study? maybe .. Is taking the DAT at the end of August too late?

So what do you think? Although I'm not even applying yet, I turn to SDN for advice for every little thing!

Taking the DAT at the end of August in no problem at all. Just as long as your AADSAS was sent out as early as possible (before they get all backed up). DAT scores only take a week or two to reach the schools.

I took my DAT towards the end of August and had my first interview invitation by 9/15. My guess is the same would apply for this year, meaning you'd still be considered 'early.'

The only thing I would consider is the pace of the Kaplan class and the pace of your own studying. For instance, I took your option #1 Kaplan class and made sure that I did the reading and reviewed the online content (I should mention that I was also taking summer classes) but not much studying in addition to that. When the class was over i spent a little over a month studying on my own and at my own pace, then took the exam.

If you are going to take your #2 option, just make sure that you are getting plenty of studying done in addition to Kaplan.

 

[JakeMUSC]

Only you know yourself. What do you think? Will taking it in July be a rush and cause you too much stress, etc? I think taking it early is wise, it gives you a back-up retake in 3 months if you are not happy with your scores. Getting the DAT score in early is good, but not at the expense of a lower score. Plan and adjust accordingly and Good luck!

 

[DIRTIE]

Spend the extra gas and take kaplan in may/june. Take the Dat the end of July. I promise it will help you get interviews earlier, and as we all know an interview in October is better than Dec. Good luck!

 

[Dr.Bear]

My advice is take it as early as you can.. cause you have to wait 90 days to re-take it.

 

[Laurie]

Kaplan offers the DAT course online. If money is an issue, you may want to look into this. It is about $200 less than the classroom course.