graduating college early?

Started by hopefuldentist1
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hopefuldentist1

hopefuldentist1

Full Member
7+ Year Member
Hi! So I'm thinking of graduating college in three years as a biology major. Do you think this would be alright to get into dental school? I'm thinking of taking my DAT my sophomore spring semester (which would technically be my junior spring semester). I really need some advice on a timeline that I should follow. Is it alright to take the DAT then and begin applying that summer? Thank you!!!!!!!
 
I'm graduating a semester early too and would love to know if this affects my chances either way!
 
I don't see why it would affect your chances if you did well in your courses and score well on the DAT. It makes up for those of us who are taking 5 years because of their majors
 
I graduated early and took the extra time to focus on studying for the DAT. It won't affect your chances.
 
Plan backwards from the summer you want to apply. If you want to submit app in July then you want to take the DAT a little earlier if not at the same time. To take the DAT by late June/early July you need a few weeks before that to study for it, and ideally finish Ochem II maybe that winter semester in April/may (a few months before you take the DAT. Before you take Ochem II you'll need 3 additional semesters of chemistry so make sure you plan accordingly. You also need time to shadow, do plenty of service, and make sure to develop relationships with those who will write your LORs thru research, being a TA,... You'll be a more competitive applicant if you don't have the bare bones required classes but have more upper division science classes to prepare you for dental school.
 
slm266 said:
Plan backwards from the summer you want to apply. If you want to submit app in July then you want to take the DAT a little earlier if not at the same time. To take the DAT by late June/early July you need a few weeks before that to study for it, and ideally finish Ochem II maybe that winter semester in April/may (a few months before you take the DAT. Before you take Ochem II you'll need 3 additional semesters of chemistry so make sure you plan accordingly. You also need time to shadow, do plenty of service, and make sure to develop relationships with those who will write your LORs thru research, being a TA,... You'll be a more competitive applicant if you don't have the bare bones required classes but have more upper division science classes to prepare you for dental school.
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Do you think I should be completely done by ochm2 by the time I take the DAT?
 
Some of our classmates graduated a semester early WITHOUT a BS/BA and still got in. Depends on a school, but you're gonna need the requirements fulfilled at least.
 
I graduated a year early. Took DAT end of sophomore year. Applied summer of junior year. Got my diploma and five interviews. Using "senior" year as gap year to do all the random **** I ve been wanting to do and working.
 
lwen5 said:
As long as you still get your bachelor degree, it is fine.
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I don't think that would hurt your chances AT ALL and I don't think a bachelors degree is completely necessary either (as long as the other parts of your application are strong). I applied early (never got a bachelors) and I got into 7 schools.

hopefuldentist1 said:
Do you think I should be completely done by ochm2 by the time I take the DAT?
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It helps to be completely done with OChem 2 before you take the DAT, but you really only need the first little bit. I took it a month into my OChem 2 class and did fairly well. One of my friends from the class took it a week later and scored a 29 in that section.
 
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Ochem is a really easy way to boost your TS score, so I personally wouldn't take the DAT without finishing OChemII. If you're pulling 25's on your practice exams after learning Ochem2 by self study then go for it,
 
I'm graduating a semester early and don't think it is hurting me whatsoever. My interviewers have casually asked me what I plan to do during my time off, but it wasn't like they were doing it to question my motivation or anything like that. 🙂
 
Glimmer1991 said:
I'm graduating a semester early and don't think it is hurting me whatsoever. My interviewers have casually asked me what I plan to do during my time off, but it wasn't like they were doing it to question my motivation or anything like that. 🙂
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I'm actually not planning to take a gap year. I'm just trying to graduate kind of for the heck of it and some financial issues. And thank you that helps 🙂
 
I'm not taking a gap year, either--just a gap "semester," I suppose, as I am graduating in 3.5 years. I will have a break from Dec-Aug... but I'll be working! 🙂
 
As long as you still get your bachelor degree, it is fine.
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