I'm new this to DAT business and need some advice

[adelle218]

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So I just recently decided to be predent instead of premed so i am very new to the whole process....i'm still a sophomore in college but i want to start preparing this summer for DAT bc from what I understand you should take it in July, about a year and a half before matriculation (i want to start dental school in 2013)

so my main questions are
when is the latest i can take DAT's and still be early?

and should i take a kaplan course (i finished all requirements except for bio) or should i wait with the kaplan course until right before the test, or not take it at all?

also my gpa and science gpa is about 3.35....how much do i have to raise it by to be considered a average-above average-strong applicant? (i'm hoping to go to a private school on east coast)

any other advice would be greatly appreciated! thanks!

 

[miedvied]

You really don't want to take your DAT later than Mid-May, so you can have it in to ADSAS the day the apps open. You want your app in ASAP; it can be a slow process, and interviews are given in the order that they view apps.

Kaplan course is of no real utility for you until you've also completed your gchem/ochem requirements. Chem, as a whole, takes precedence over bio on the exam's contents.

An average applicant these days is about a 3.5. An above average applicant is a 3.6 to 3.65. A strong applicant is 3.8. I applied with an AA in the 97th percentile and a poor PAT section, and a 3.99 GPA: Harvard shot me down cold, and a few schools never even invited me (though, granted, my app went out relatively late).

 

[adelle218]

mid may?! that's really early! that means i have to seriously start prepping now....

also by the time this semester ends I would've finished with gen chem and ochem, the only course i would be missing is bio...would you recommend studying alone then instead of the course?

 

[doc toothache]

The ideal time to take the DAT is after you have completed all the subjects covered on the exam, when you are ready and not a day sooner. You can heed the advice of those who believe no later than mid-May but you may be wise to make plans to retake it.

 

[azar87]

The best time for you to take the DAT is once you feel like ur ready fully. try to knock it out in one shot......try to have everything fresh in ur head as you will need to know EVERYTHING for the DAT......apps open up june 1st .....if you have ur dat done before that ur set......anytime until august is considered early........So try to get all ur textooks ready to prepare most common resources used by students here are kaplan blue book, destroyer, math destroyer just came out......topscore and crack dat pat......the more time you spend studying for the exam the better ur score should be .....best of luck to you.

 

[adelle218]

thanks for the help everyone!

so it seems like most people study alone for the dat...but my actual question was will i get anything out of a kaplan course (considering it's expensive n all) if i haven't taken bio yet?

also i'm a bit overwhelmed now :-( where do you think would be the best place to start?

 

[FutureDent020]

thanks for the help everyone!

so it seems like most people study alone for the dat...but my actual question was will i get anything out of a kaplan course (considering it's expensive n all) if i haven't taken bio yet?

also i'm a bit overwhelmed now :-( where do you think would be the best place to start?

Kaplan will give you lot's of practice tests and help you review concepts. If you have not learned the concepts yet, Kaplan may move a little quick for you.

 

[FutureDent020]

And wait, you say you want to start dental school in 2013, or do you mean Fall 2012.... It's 2010.. Relax and take all the pre-requisites. You don't need to take the DAT until mid-may 2011 (end of your junior year), not this May.

 

[adelle218]

woops yes i meant fall 2012

still, any advice on where to start?

 

[FutureDent020]

woops yes i meant fall 2012

still, any advice on where to start?

Yea, since you won't be taking the DAT until another year and a half, study by paying attention in your classes. When you study for exams, commit the information to long-term memory. It will make your DAT studying much easier. If you really want to start preparing for the DAT early, start studying during your Christmas break next year and throughout the following months until May, when you should take it.