Hey guys, i'm applying for dental school this coming June. I was just wondering what's the LATEST date i should write the DAT if i want to be the first batch of applicant to be reviewed? I think it usually takes about 2-4 weeks for everything to be received (including GPA calculations) on AADSAS, so does that mean i can write it at the end of May or beginning of June? Thanks in advance!
DAT - when should i write it?
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You can deff take it during those times, what is the LATEST? you will get many many answers ( the best answer would be from a Dschool in this one). My answer is the earliest you can when you are prepared, do not rush it, but also do not just take your sweet long time to take it. I know people that have taken it in august and have got into dental school. I would personally recommend taking it at latest, END OF JUNE TO MID JULY. I personally took it at the end of may.
Thanks for the reply.
The reason i asked is because it's going to be my 3rd time applying for dental school, so i really want to do everything right this time.
1st time: applied in November, 2 schools, 18AA/20PAT, rejected
2nd time: applied in late September, 7 schools, 18AA/24PAT, 1 rejection, no interview so far
GPA 3.56
I'm trying to figure out ways to improve my application so i'll at least receive some interview invite this time.
Also, i'm graduating this year. I was wondering if i should take a year off and just focus on DAT and applying for dschool OR start working towards a masters degree?
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I think with your GPA and DAT you may actually gotten into a D school had you applied in time. August and September in my opinion are still considered late. Since your scores are almost average...you should aim to get in everything by mid June. Apply early and apply broadly. If you have good extra currics along with these scores, am a little surprised that you didn't even receive one interview. What kind of schools are you applying to?
1st time: NYU, Columbia
2nd time: NYU, Columbia, Howard, Tufts, Case, Temple, Boston
400 hrs dental assistant, 2 research experience, lifeguard/swimming instructor, 1000+ hrs volunteer.
I only found out the existence of SDN a month after my 2nd application, so i never realized the importance of applying early. 🙁
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ALso, what are the breakdowns of both your DAT scores. try to provide as much information so we can make a sound assessment of what you should be doing.
definitely re take. your scores are good, but when you apply for a third time they need to see improvement. i applied last year and did not get in with same gpa and a 19. so i re took dat. i submitted everything june 3rd with old scores. told all schools via email that i was re taking. i was offered 2 interviews before i retook at end of july. received 7 more after re taking. but if you could improve to a 20+ you will have a great shot with your gpa.
to make applying easier, print off your app right now, so when the app cycle opens again you can just re type what was on you old app with any updates from the past year. thats what i did, and NO schools noticed! that way you are done first day, and all you have to worry about is the dat. there is no reason it should take a reapplicant more than 2 days to finish their app.
thanks for the advice 🙂
but now i'm debating whether to take a year off or not? I'm aiming for at least 1 acceptance on Dec 1 this year, so i dunno if i should start working towards a masters degree.
I'm thinking if i don't receive any interview invites before November, then i'll start the masters degree in Jan 2012. Is that a good idea? 😕
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your gpa is not the problem , your DAT is. how did you change your studying from the 1st to the 2nd DAT? when you retake it for the 3d time, you must have made a considerable change in your approach so that you can succeed on your 3d time.
RC is known to be one of the categories that Dental Schools look at the most, and feel needs to be high. Study that section and develop a strategy that works for you on that front.
"Write/Writing?" You mean when should you take the DAT, or retake it? Is that a Canadian term, using "write" in that manner? (curious, since I've heard it once before).
Apply as early as possible, although I will tell you that I was accepted into many schools, applied in November and took the DAT in October-very late...but I could get no interviews before January, so you definitely want to apply early, when all of the seats are open/available.
"Write/Writing?" You mean when should you take the DAT, or retake it? Is that a Canadian term, using "write" in that manner? (curious, since I've heard it once before).
Apply as early as possible, although I will tell you that I was accepted into many schools, applied in November and took the DAT in October-very late...but I could get no interviews before January, so you definitely want to apply early, when all of the seats are open/available.
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thats the MOST ideal time to take it.
my only advice to you will be to apply to more than 7 schools. Since you've applied twice and didn't get in, I think u should be aiming at 15+ schools, you don't want to apply a 4th time.
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Normally, I would suggest the best time to take it is February. This is because you can check out your scores and decide whether or not to retake it (since you have to wait at least 3 months for a retake).
However, this is your third time and anything after that requires a request, I believe. So I'm gonna say take it in May and apply on the first day the cycle opens in early/mid-June of this year. Good luck!
However, this is your third time and anything after that requires a request, I believe. So I'm gonna say take it in May and apply on the first day the cycle opens in early/mid-June of this year. Good luck!
Z
Zakl
Read my blog, going to try and help you get a 24 on your DAT
