Having a hard time assessing my situation and making some decisions

[StudentDentistsRock]

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Hi everyone,
I had some things I was hoping to get some advice with and decided to come none other than here for help!

I just finished my fall and spring semesters strongly (two 4.0s!) My overall is 3.88 as of now (with my sciecne being slightly below, possibly 3.85). I am currently a sophomore majoring in chemistry and will be a junior starting fall 2016, and I apply to dental schools summer 2017! I just finished organic chem and biology; I finished gen chem freshman year.

During this past semester, I made the decision to take the DAT during the summer of 2017, the same summer I apply to dental school. However, I heard this is not recomended becuase it's best to get in all application requirements asap. This summer, I got an undergraduate research position in Chemistry, so I will be spending a lot of time on that. I haven't been given a start date or end date, but I'm estimating ending sometime late in July possibly. I also work on the weekends. The question I want to ask is whether or not I should take the DAT this summer. Honestly, I don't feel too ready for it (i guess i'm just scared), but I have taken all the prereqs (orgo, gen chem, bio). I also heard the best time to take it is right after I take these courses so that it is fresh in my head.

Do you guys recommend I take it this summer or is it not a big issue if I take it early next summer sometime late June when I apply? I'm also broke. I barely have enough money to buy study DAT materials and for the exam itself. My plan was to use a fee waiver for next summer. Additionally, I plan to take cell stucture and function as well as biochemistry in the fall and spring semesters respectively, and hopefully pick up a biology minor. I heard that both of these courses will help tremendously for the bio portions of the exam (bio is my weakest subject alongside english).

what do you guys think? Build up my application now with shadowing, research, and volunteering (which I don't have much of), take the DAT next summer with a fee waiver and some more bio expreience, or take it this summer and get it over with?

Thanks! I really appreciate and value your opinions. After writing this all out, it kind of makes things clear to me that it might be better to take it in the summe rof 2017 but your opinions are much appreciated.

p.s: I can't study for the DAT during my semseters. I drop all work and focus only on my studies during my semester to keep my GPA as strong a I possibly can. I'm a slow learner; I find my self up to my neck in my own school work, and I don't belive I can find the time to study for the DAT.

 

[meeshii00]

Don't take your DAT unless you feel ready. It's fine if you take it the same summer you apply. I did that and took my DAT at the end of June. Just have everything ready to be submitted by the time you take it and you'll be fine. I think it is best to build up a strong application. There's no need to rush everything. You'd want to just take the test once and do well on it. Good luck with everything!!

 

[FloorMatt]

Obviously you're not going to feel ready because you haven't started studying for the DAT. However, I did find it really helpful to take the DAT the summer after taking all the pre-reqs. I finished bio 2 and orgo 2 and a month later i started studying for the DAT, where I was at a huge advantage compared to my peers as I knew a ton of the major concepts of orgo and chem, and remembered some details from bio. Just my two cents.

 

[Scumbag_Steve]

.

 

[StudentDentistsRock]

I don't think it's a bad idea to take it this summer. The decision is up to you, but if you want to really devote a lot of time and effort to the test, taking this summer could be your best bet.

If you do end up doing it this summer, follow this:

http://datbootcamp.com/Ari'sStudyGuide.pdf
http://datbootcamp.com/Ari'sStudySchedule.pdf

Thank you so much for this!


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[super frank]

Do you go to school in north Philly?

 

[StudentDentistsRock]

Do you go to school in north Philly?

Yes I do.


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[SableFire]

Thank you so much for this!


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I'll also chime in and say take it this summer. First priority is doing the best you can. If you end up with a DAT score you don't like then you have ample time to study and take it again. I'd recommend DAT Bootcamp, DAT Destroyer, Chad's videos, and Feralis biology notes. I also used Crack the DAT PAT but Bootcamp is probably good enough. Got me a 23 after 8 weeks of studying. Also if you are really zealous you could apply this summer and possibly skip a year of undergrad! Some schools do allow you to matriculate without your bachelors.