I need some advice on application procedure

[hham]

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Hello everyone at SDN,
I just joined the community yesterday and I am delighted to have joined the group of passionate pre-dental students.
Brief intro. of myself...
I graduated from an Art School with a BA in 2004, and now I am back in school as a Post-Bacc. in the PreHealth Program. I just finished my first semester in Fall 2008 and currently going on my second semester currently studying: General Bio2, General Chem2, and Precalc.
By May 2010, I will have finished my PreHealth Program with the pre-reqs (Gen. Bio w/lab, Gen. Chem w/lab, O-Chem w/lab and Physics, and math courses).

I really need everyone's input and advice on the application procedure. I am very new to this and I have yet to start studying for the DAT. Would you say that it's possible/impossible for me to apply to Dental Schools for the 2010 cycle? I heard that some students study for the DAT for a whole year, but since I am a bit older🙁... I want to get into a Dental School as early as I can. (That's if I get accepted amongst the fierce competitors)
Questions:
1. What is the average study period for DAT? (e.g. one summer, one year, one school yr..etc..)
2. When are you planning to apply? (as soon as application procedure starts, late summer..etc..)
3. How many times did you guys take the DAT before applying to dental schools?

As you can all tell, I am completely lost and desperately needs help.
Everyone's input will be greatly appreciated!!
Even if it's not an answer to the questions, any word of advice and tips are all very welcomed~ 🙂

 

[DrEagleMike]

Hello everyone at SDN,
I just joined the community yesterday and I am delighted to have joined the group of passionate pre-dental students.
Brief intro. of myself...
I graduated from an Art School with a BA in 2004, and now I am back in school as a Post-Bacc. in the PreHealth Program. I just finished my first semester in Fall 2008 and currently going on my second semester currently studying: General Bio2, General Chem2, and Precalc.
By May 2010, I will have finished my PreHealth Program with the pre-reqs (Gen. Bio w/lab, Gen. Chem w/lab, O-Chem w/lab and Physics, and math courses).

I really need everyone's input and advice on the application procedure. I am very new to this and I have yet to start studying for the DAT. Would you say that it's possible/impossible for me to apply to Dental Schools for the 2010 cycle? I heard that some students study for the DAT for a whole year, but since I am a bit older🙁... I want to get into a Dental School as early as I can. (That's if I get accepted amongst the fierce competitors)
Questions:
1. What is the average study period for DAT? (e.g. one summer, one year, one school yr..etc..)
2. When are you planning to apply? (as soon as application procedure starts, late summer..etc..)
3. How many times did you guys take the DAT before applying to dental schools?

As you can all tell, I am completely lost and desperately needs help.
Everyone's input will be greatly appreciated!!
Even if it's not an answer to the questions, any word of advice and tips are all very welcomed~ 🙂

1. I studied for 3 months. I've heard of poeple studying for 3 weeks and others for 6 months. You have an advantage here because you are strictly taking classes that prepare you for the DAT in consecutive order leading up to when you'll take the test. You figure how much time you'll need depending on how well you do in the science classes.

2. You need to apply as soon as possible. The AADSAS application becomes available on May 15th. You should submit it as soon as you can, it'll increase your chances dramatically.

3. I took the DAT once, thankfully. The nice thing is that you can submit your AADSAS application before completing the DAT, that'll give you extra time for studying and/or retaking the test if needed. I think you can apply in 2010. The thing that may play against you is not having upperdivision science classes. Dental schools like to see those courses taken. I didn't see Biochem in your list of classes to take. That'll be a required one to add to the list. All the required classes will prepare you for the DAT, so don't forget that information or sell back your text books.

Remember to improve your application by doing community service/shadowing. you'll need 50+ hrs shadowing, and about 100 to just be average. Hope that helps to just start off...
Surf through this website to get more clues on what to do. Research the schools of interest to find out what their unique requirements and recommendations are.

 

[hham]

1. I studied for 3 months. I've heard of poeple studying for 3 weeks and others for 6 months. You have an advantage here because you are strictly taking classes that prepare you for the DAT in consecutive order leading up to when you'll take the test. You figure how much time you'll need depending on how well you do in the science classes.

2. You need to apply as soon as possible. The AADSAS application becomes available on May 15th. You should submit it as soon as you can, it'll increase your chances dramatically.

3. I took the DAT once, thankfully. The nice thing is that you can submit your AADSAS application before completing the DAT, that'll give you extra time for studying and/or retaking the test if needed. I think you can apply in 2010. The thing that may play against you is not having upperdivision science classes. Dental schools like to see those courses taken. I didn't see Biochem in your list of classes to take. That'll be a required one to add to the list. All the required classes will prepare you for the DAT, so don't forget that information or sell back your text books.

Remember to improve your application by doing community service/shadowing. you'll need 50+ hrs shadowing, and about 100 to just be average. Hope that helps to just start off...
Surf through this website to get more clues on what to do. Research the schools of interest to find out what their unique requirements and recommendations are.

DrEagleMike - Thank you so much for taking your time to answer all my questions!! wow, you answered them so thoroughly too.
I will also take your advice on taking BioChem and try to fit it in my schedule for next year as well! thank you, thank you!!

 

[eternalxdemon]

1. I studied for 3 months. I've heard of poeple studying for 3 weeks and others for 6 months. You have an advantage here because you are strictly taking classes that prepare you for the DAT in consecutive order leading up to when you'll take the test. You figure how much time you'll need depending on how well you do in the science classes.

2. You need to apply as soon as possible. The AADSAS application becomes available on May 15th. You should submit it as soon as you can, it'll increase your chances dramatically.

3. I took the DAT once, thankfully. The nice thing is that you can submit your AADSAS application before completing the DAT, that'll give you extra time for studying and/or retaking the test if needed. I think you can apply in 2010. The thing that may play against you is not having upperdivision science classes. Dental schools like to see those courses taken. I didn't see Biochem in your list of classes to take. That'll be a required one to add to the list. All the required classes will prepare you for the DAT, so don't forget that information or sell back your text books.

Remember to improve your application by doing community service/shadowing. you'll need 50+ hrs shadowing, and about 100 to just be average. Hope that helps to just start off...
Surf through this website to get more clues on what to do. Research the schools of interest to find out what their unique requirements and recommendations are.

the 2010 app cycle opens on june 1st this year not may 15 like last year. just thought u'd like to kno that.

 

[DrEagleMike]

the 2010 app cycle opens on june 1st this year not may 15 like last year. just thought u'd like to kno that.

Wow, didn't know that... thanks.

 

[DentalRocks09]

1. roughly 3-4 months
2. I applied last cycle and have already been accepted
3. I only took it once and was just a tad bit above avg

This exam is very doable. If you put in the time, you will succeed😀..good luck 2 ya

 

[happyt33th]

1. I spent the summer (the year before I applied) to study the DAT. I was also doing research half the time, but for the last two weeks leading up to the DAT, I crammed and didn't got to lab at all. I went through the DAT Destroyer twice and that kicked ass for my sciences (I read a general bio textbook for the bio section as well). I also used Top Score Pro to get a hang of taking the exam on computer and other review books to get more practice on the perceptual part. I agree, the DAT is very very doable as long as you put the work into it.

2. I applied last cycle. The application period opened on May 15th and I submitted mine on May 16th. Timing is sooo crucial, try to get it in as soon as you can. I also started to collect letters of recs and write my personal statement around March.

3. I only took the DAT once.

Good luck!

 

[Danny289]

Unfortunately you are not going to have Organic chemistry till next semester. IMO, it is going to be a big challange in your DAT. In addition it deponds which school you are applying, many schools like to see upper level courses in your transcript. good luck 👍

 

[hham]

I'm so glad I found this site.. It seems like everyone's super hard working and that gets me really pumped to do study harder!

DentalRocks09 - congrats! you must be relieved and happy to be done with everything.. gosh, I wish I were in your shoes NOW..I'm getting way too anxious and stressed about Dental School.. good luck with school and thank you for your reply!

happyt33th - thank you for the study guide info! I've been looking all over the site for good study workbooks for DAT..I will def. look at DAT Destroyer and Top Score!

Danny289 - I'm planning to take O-Chem this summer (not for credit) just so that I can be knowledgeable for the DAT... DrEagleMike also noted that I should take BioChem in preparation to DAT.. my gosh.. so much to study for, so little time! but thank you for pointing that out!

SDN is absolutely AMAZING!!!

 

[Danny289]

DrEagleMike also noted that I should take BioChem in preparation to DAT.. my gosh.. so much to study for,

No! you don't need Biochemistry for DAT, it might help you for few questions. Evereything you need is covered in your General Biology. Many schools need biochemistry as a requirement. 👍

 

[DrEagleMike]

Yeah, sorry I made that unclear. I only meant Biochem is needed, most likely, to get into dental school. Don't take it for the DAT. I didn't...

You will need to know OChem fo sho

 

[hham]

ohhh..GOOD! what a relief that I don't need to take BioChem for DAT..but I checked out some school sites, and they "highly recommend" you to take that course. I'm going to definitely look into taking the course.. It'll only benefit me, right?!
Thanks for pointing that out Danny289!
DrEagleMike, no need to be sorry! I learn new info. everytime I come here! 👍

 

[dmd0]

1. studied for whole summer (about 3 months).
2. apply as early as possible
3. twice