Finding time to study for DAT?!

[vlct0ria]

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First off, I will be applying next summer for fall 2010 matriculation. I didn't decide on dentistry until recently, and I've started panicking about when/how I am going to take the DAT so that I can apply next summer. Right now, I have 17 credit hours of classes a week, 3 club meetings a week, and I volunteer at a dental clinic every week too. I already have hardly any free time with these extracurriculars and studying for classes. Next semester is going to be the same story- 18 credit hours.

My problem is WHEN to study for the DAT? I see all kinds of posts on here about people studying for 3-4 months for ~8 hours a day (I don't know how anyone could do that without going cross-eyed!) and I really have to wonder how these people find the time for that.

Is my best bet to just start studying for the DAT after finals in the spring (late April), and then take late in the summer? Will my chances of interview be decreased with a later DAT, even if I submit my app as early as possible?

I'm so sorry for the long post guys, but I'm sure plenty of you are/have been in the same situation. Thanks in advance!

 

[ZenoVT]

I know a lot of people who submitted their AADSAS application as soon as possible after it opens, and then they begin to study and then take the exam in July. This should give you a good amount of time to freely study.

 

[ak47]

First off, I will be applying next summer for fall 2010 matriculation. I didn't decide on dentistry until recently, and I've started panicking about when/how I am going to take the DAT so that I can apply next summer. Right now, I have 17 credit hours of classes a week, 3 club meetings a week, and I volunteer at a dental clinic every week too. I already have hardly any free time with these extracurriculars and studying for classes. Next semester is going to be the same story- 18 credit hours.

My problem is WHEN to study for the DAT? I see all kinds of posts on here about people studying for 3-4 months for ~8 hours a day (I don't know how anyone could do that without going cross-eyed!) and I really have to wonder how these people find the time for that.

Is my best bet to just start studying for the DAT after finals in the spring (late April), and then take late in the summer? Will my chances of interview be decreased with a later DAT, even if I submit my app as early as possible?

I'm so sorry for the long post guys, but I'm sure plenty of you are/have been in the same situation. Thanks in advance!

i think sending aadsas early in june or even may would be good. while they are processing for 4 or 5 weeks..rock out your DAT studying. I studied for almost 6 weeks hardcore (like 6 or so hours per day for the first few weeks and then gradually up to like 10-12 hours towards the end). take the DAT. and by then your apps will have been mailed out. you don't need to start studying now for a test you will take in like 8 months. remember that whatever sciences classes you are in now counts as studying so if you really want to do something now you can get a prep book and start working through it but i think it's pointless this early. and if you've been doing well on sci classes (like your sciGPA says you have been), you obviously know how to study and rock it out! good luck

 

[Svart Aske]

If I were you, I'd go over biology, chemistry and o-chem over the semester at a slow pace; acquaint yourself with the concepts and get a good idea of what you have ahead of you. Once you're freed from school and other obligations and know when you're going to take the DAT, start studying seriously. The material should be easy to pick up after all that conditioning.

 

[klutzy1987]

All that you really need is a month to study for the exam. Start at the end of April and you can be done by mid-July for sure. Take you DAT then and you are golden provided that you do well. Get your application in byMay or even early june and you have absolutely nothing to worry about. You would be in great shape.