Does anyone take a year off of college to study?

[ThNeal]

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I'm looking at my last semester of courses (Spring 2017) and I don't think I will have enough time to prepare to take the DAT then and do well. I think I will miss next years cycle and just study, so that I can do well, along with applying early for 2018. Any thoughts? Is this common?


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[asdf99]

Seems like overkill to be honest. By taking a year off, do you mean dedicate that time 100% to studying? Or do you mean, working, making money, and taking the DAT as well. I feel that studying 100% during a year off is not necessary, and could also lead to unnecessary burnout/pressure.

Is there a way you can take the DAT the summer following your graduation?

 

[Incis0r]

I'm looking at my last semester of courses (Spring 2017) and I don't think I will have enough time to prepare to take the DAT then and do well. I think I will miss next years cycle and just study, so that I can do well, along with applying early for 2018. Any thoughts? Is this common?

If you graduate in May 2017, study like hell until August 2017 & submit everything else in your application first week of June 2017 (transcript verification, LoRs, etc), then you should be on track for starting dental school in 2018.

Don't sacrifice a year just for the DAT. That said, if you want to do other stuff like travel, have a gap-year experience, etc. and you think it's worth it, then go ahead with your plan.

 

[Soleus715]

If you graduate in May 2017, study like hell until August 2017 & submit everything else in your application first week of June 2017 (transcript verification, LoRs, etc), then you should be on track for starting dental school in 2018.

Don't sacrifice a year just for the DAT. That said, if you want to do other stuff like travel, have a gap-year experience, etc. and you think it's worth it, then go ahead with your plan.

Couldn't have said it better.

I spent 2 years working at a dental office and 3 months just traveling and sight-seeing. It was the perfect way to spend my time before dental school.
And I personally would do it again even if I could start dental school earlier without it. Once you graduate, the weight of capitalizing loans may make it difficult to take vacations.

 

[ThNeal]

Couldn't have said it better.

I spent 2 years working at a dental office and 3 months just traveling and sight-seeing. It was the perfect way to spend my time before dental school.
And I personally would do it again even if I could start dental school earlier without it. Once you graduate, the weight of capitalizing loans may make it difficult to take vacations.

I think I'll work and study for that gap year? I think it'll give myself a year to clear my head etc.


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[Soleus715]

I think I'll work and study for that gap year? I think it'll give myself a year to clear my head etc.


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Sounds great! If work is not dentistry related, I would stay away from it if your financial situation allows it. The gap year is too precious to waste on work..

Spend that valuable time you have with your family and do things you cannot do while in dental school. I didn't realize how much I took my family and friends for granted.
In order to see them now, it would cost me hundreds of dollars and valuable time on flights.

One thing I would like to note is that they may ask you what you did during your gap year in your interview.

 

[Kombucha]

A long summer break should suffice if you make full use of it IMO.

 

[JeffM]

I took a gap year to take the DAT, strengthen my application, and apply and I think it was the best thing I could have done. I studied for the DAT from graduation until late July and crushed it...I don't think I would have done nearly as well if I took it the summer before. I got a job as a dental assistant part way through the summer and my application was complete 8/19. The time right after you graduate is extremely important. Try to have things lined up such as working or shadowing before so that you can start right away. Just study like crazy for the DAT and then submit apps. I thought late August would be too late to apply but I have a few interviews so far. Then once you find out you acceptances you can do whatever you want until school starts. I think taking the gap year gave me a much higher chance of acceptance

 

[RS2224]

If you graduate in May 2017, study like hell until August 2017 & submit everything else in your application first week of June 2017 (transcript verification, LoRs, etc), then you should be on track for starting dental school in 2018.

Don't sacrifice a year just for the DAT. That said, if you want to do other stuff like travel, have a gap-year experience, etc. and you think it's worth it, then go ahead with your plan.

Yup. That's what I did. I ended up doing fine on the DAT. May-August is really enough time. I'm not even smart. If your app isn't strong tho the year would be good to improve it before you apply.

 

[Incis0r]

I'm not even smart.

You are smart.

 

[madel]

I was in a similar situation as you. I graduated in December of 2016. it was already too late for me to apply for the 2016 cycle. so I decided to take the year off. I took the DAT in January. I applied in early June. I have received 8 interviewed so far and expecting more to come. I highly recommend taking a year off if you don't feel fully prepared to apply.