do you guys think i can pull off studying for the DAT with this schedule?

[dmobbby]

---

Members don't see this ad.

So I postponed my DAT test a SECOND time this time in late April. Originally I was supposed to take it in late January, then I pushed it to the end of February, and now I'm taking it in April (made a vow to no more extensions). That gives me an extra 2 months. I noticed I'm having trouble studying for the DAT's simply because I run out of energy to study. Because I get palpitations from consuming coffee, and excessive amounts of energy drinks are generally poor for your health, I cannot rely on caffeine to keep me energized. Commuting to school was a choice my parents and I made so that we can save money for dental school. Here's my schedule:

Monday:
12:00pm-12:45 = drive to school
1:15 - 5:40 = class/lunch/class
5:40 - 6:30 = drive home
7:00 - 9:00 = volunteer as catechist

Tuesday:
6:30am - 7:45am = drive to school (traffic)
8:00am -3:00pm = class/lunch/class
5:30 - 10:00 = volunteer for dental section

Wednesday:
(same as Monday minus volunteer)

Thursday:
(same as Tuesday minus volunteer)

Friday:
8:25 - 9:00 = drive to school
9:15 - 12:05 = class
1:00 - 6:00 = work at dental office

Saturday:
8:00 - 8:50 = drive
9:00- 12:00 = volunteer

Sunday:
(freee)

Is this a regular schedule? Should I just suck it up and stop being a baby? I guess I posted this because I wanted to read the schedule's of past or current pre-dental students. I'll feel better knowing that I am not alone suffering with a hectic schedule lol. Plus, a little friendly motivational competition never hurt

what's good future class of 2018?!

 

[toyotasupra]

You need to cut that volunteer stuff out (once you hit 50+ hours).

Let's face it. Dental schools are only going to look at your application if you get decent scores. Any scores below what they want and your application gets thrown into the back burner.

I was able to study for the DAT working a full time nightshift job (didn't get super scores, but good enough that some schools gave me a chance).

 

[Teeths]

I agree with toyotasupra- once you have so many hours volunteering/shadowing you need to focus less on that and more on studying for your classes and the DAT. GPA and DAT are what get looks from the admissions committees and if those are good everything else (ECs, if you work, shadowing) are icing on the cake. It does get hectic but it'll be worth it in the end! Good luck

 

[Hawkteeth]

I would take it during the summer, your scores will come after you submit your ap but the results will be way better. You need to be fully committed to the DAT every day if you want to get a high score. I studied for 2 months with 1 month of 8-10 hours of studying everyday and ended up with a 23, well worth it.

 

[predent12]

I agree, wait until the summer. I didn't take the DAT until the end of July and it was fine.

It's more important that you get a stronger score. If you are exhausted, then you won't be able to perform your best no matter how hard you study. Finish your classes and volunteering, take a few days to sleep and relax, then hit the books full time for a month or two until you are ready.

Don't be afraid to cut yourself some slack!

P.S. I can't even tell you how many times I pushed back my date. I'm really glad that I did though! I was literally so burnt out going into studying that it gave me a headache to even look at the screen. I needed over a week to just sleep and not even think about studying. I am just telling you this so that you know that you aren't alone.

 

[321931]

I agree, wait until the summer. I didn't take the DAT until the end of July and it was fine.

It's more important that you get a stronger score. If you are exhausted, then you won't be able to perform your best no matter how hard you study. Finish your classes and volunteering, take a few days to sleep and relax, then hit the books full time for a month or two until you are ready.

Don't be afraid to cut yourself some slack!

Although I am happy for you, in my opinion, it is to risky to take it in July. I would take it March/April. Just give it your all. Cut off on the volunteering hours and pour away into the dental textbook. Yes it might be tough, but when you are in dental school a 7 Am-5 PM class schedule with tests, and other obligations might make it a 7 AM-11 PM class everyday- which is normal in my opinion. So get used to it.

The reason I say take it in April/March is because it gives you room for error. I took mine in March with 2 months prep and received a 22 or 23 AA, I don't recall. I was able to apply in the first week and got into my top choice by December 1st. Now if I had failed the test and received a 18-19, I would still have the 3 month window to retake the test in early June/July which would not make my application late- and I would still have a competitive chance at top schools.

If I were to take the test in June/July and get a 22-23 then yay go me! But if I were to receive an 18-19, or some RC at a 17, your chances are pretty much shot to get into dental school that cycle. You would have to wait until October/September to retake the test, and in addition send scores, and hope for a good score. I was interviewing at 3-4 schools in October/September. No-one wants to redo/reapply an entire cycle just because of the DAT 90 day policy.

Just give it your all now, hope for the best, and if not, retake in July/June where u will most likely be even more prepared and experienced. It's not worth risking a retake in october/september.

 

[kcumb12]

Would be hard🙂

 

[LaughingGas]

Personally, I would wait until summer, and just study for DAY without doing anything else. This is probably a test that you don't want to retake due to $$ and the time you need to prepare and the time itself when you take the test (5hrs I remember?). The above person is stating that you have a room for error, but at the same time, according to statistics, retake scores are lower, so there is no guarantee that you would perform better 2nd time around.
I would start cramming right after the finals.
Also I'm going to disagree with Rainee. Yes it's good to get used to busy dental school schedule, but as of now, your priority is getting good DAT scores, not getting used to the schedule. And either way, people get used to the busy schedule once they actually face it.

 

[321931]

Personally, I would wait until summer, and just study for DAY without doing anything else. This is probably a test that you don't want to retake due to $$ and the time you need to prepare and the time itself when you take the test (5hrs I remember?). The above person is stating that you have a room for error, but at the same time, according to statistics, retake scores are lower, so there is no guarantee that you would perform better 2nd time around.
I would start cramming right after the finals.
Also I'm going to disagree with Rainee. Yes it's good to get used to busy dental school schedule, but as of now, your priority is getting good DAT scores, not getting used to the schedule. And either way, people get used to the busy schedule once they actually face it.

True...true. But all your studying can come crashing down if you get that dreaded piano passage and score a 16-17 on RC. I would rather take the route with 2 chances, rather then putting all my money on 1 chance.

If you were to study literally everyday, and we are talking about "really studying" then I think you'll be ready. Everyone is different, so just find what works for you. 2 chances>1chance in my opinion. Cut down on the volunteering/take easier classes/and just go for it.

 

[LaughingGas]

True...true. But all your studying can come crashing down if you get that dreaded piano passage and score a 16-17 on RC. I would rather take the route with 2 chances, rather then putting all my money on 1 chance.

If you were to study literally everyday, and we are talking about "really studying" then I think you'll be ready. Everyone is different, so just find what works for you. 2 chances>1chance in my opinion. Cut down on the volunteering/take easier classes/and just go for it.

👍 what a dilemma. Op, just think if you are actually capable of studying for the test during school year and able to do decent on it. I tried to do study during school year, didn't work out for me, and waited until summer to take it.

 

[predent12]

I think you just need to figure out what works for you. If you need the reassurance of another take, then shoot for earlier. Personally I buckled down better because I knew there was no room for error, and because I could devote all of my time to the DAT.

It all depends on what motivates you.

 

[VDR]

I agree with most post. Take it during the summer when you can just focus on the DAT. Treat your prep time like a 9-5pm job every day. The last two weeks go hard and do cram sessions.

You have too many things going on. Make the DAT your number 1 priority. Nothing comes before it!!

This is what I did and it worked out pretty good. Good Luck!!👍

 

[jrpredent92]

Definitely take it in the early summer, I took it in early June. Good luck!

 

[dmobbby]

Thank you for all your inputs! I think at this point I want to see how well I do studying within the next two months. If I find that I am doing well on practice tests, I will go for it and take it in the end of April. If I don't do well on it, then at least I will have half of May (finals for academic year in first half), June and July to study.

 

[toyotasupra]

Now if I had failed the test and received a 18-19

I got into dental school with a 19. 😉

Although, I would say try to get the highest score possible, but again it's not the end of the world if you get below a 20.