Hi everyone, I have a question about when I should submit my application. I understand the importance of getting the application in as early as possible, but my circumstances make it impossible for me to take the DAT before August 16 (the date I am scheduled to take the test).
Here's my background info: I am a non-traditional student with a graduate degree in literature and am applying to dental school for the first time. It took me years to figure out what I wanted to do, so I am super excited to finally be going for something that I believe will make me happy. However, when I was in undergrad, I took two science courses and did not do well in them (B- and C). I just wasn't very focused on courses outside of my major back then. After I finally figured out my calling, I went back to school last Fall to fulfill my prereqs and am doing well in them (all A's and A+'s). I have now pulled my sGPA up to a 3.68 from a 2.--something. I just finished the first orgo in summer session 1, got an A, and am currently taking the second half. If I can manage to get another A in the second orgo, the extra two A's will pull up my sGPA to a 3.72. I know it's not a huge difference, but considering the B- and C from long ago and my concern that I may not do very hot on the DAT because of the less-than-ideal study time I have, I just want to make sure adcoms know that I can do well in science. Grades for BOTH of the orgo's will not be available on a transcript until August 5 or 6. I am holding off on the DAT until 8/16 because I don't think I should take it before I finish the orgo series. If I submit my application now, I understand that it will not be considered complete until I take the exam. I also understand that it takes longer to process the application than it does to upload the DAT scores once you take them.
I am working at the most rushed pace possible (for me, anyway) and am SO nervous 🙁 because my application will be "late" whether I wait for the summer orgo grades or not. Considering that I am not sitting the DAT until 8/16, should I submit my application now without the summer grades and a 3.68 sGPA, or submit in August after getting official summer grades and a 3.72 sGPA (assuming I manage to get an A in the second half of orgo)? All of my transcripts already have been received by AADSAS, with the exception of grades from my summer orgo's.
Sorry for long post! Even though the difference between 3.68 and 3.72 seems little, I know how competitive it is and every little bit helps! (Plus I am not sure how my DAT's will be.) Any thoughts you have on this matter will be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much.
Here's my background info: I am a non-traditional student with a graduate degree in literature and am applying to dental school for the first time. It took me years to figure out what I wanted to do, so I am super excited to finally be going for something that I believe will make me happy. However, when I was in undergrad, I took two science courses and did not do well in them (B- and C). I just wasn't very focused on courses outside of my major back then. After I finally figured out my calling, I went back to school last Fall to fulfill my prereqs and am doing well in them (all A's and A+'s). I have now pulled my sGPA up to a 3.68 from a 2.--something. I just finished the first orgo in summer session 1, got an A, and am currently taking the second half. If I can manage to get another A in the second orgo, the extra two A's will pull up my sGPA to a 3.72. I know it's not a huge difference, but considering the B- and C from long ago and my concern that I may not do very hot on the DAT because of the less-than-ideal study time I have, I just want to make sure adcoms know that I can do well in science. Grades for BOTH of the orgo's will not be available on a transcript until August 5 or 6. I am holding off on the DAT until 8/16 because I don't think I should take it before I finish the orgo series. If I submit my application now, I understand that it will not be considered complete until I take the exam. I also understand that it takes longer to process the application than it does to upload the DAT scores once you take them.
I am working at the most rushed pace possible (for me, anyway) and am SO nervous 🙁 because my application will be "late" whether I wait for the summer orgo grades or not. Considering that I am not sitting the DAT until 8/16, should I submit my application now without the summer grades and a 3.68 sGPA, or submit in August after getting official summer grades and a 3.72 sGPA (assuming I manage to get an A in the second half of orgo)? All of my transcripts already have been received by AADSAS, with the exception of grades from my summer orgo's.
Sorry for long post! Even though the difference between 3.68 and 3.72 seems little, I know how competitive it is and every little bit helps! (Plus I am not sure how my DAT's will be.) Any thoughts you have on this matter will be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much.
