is August too late too apply?

[AASDDS1]

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well..i'm not even sure if it will be august yet, but what do you guys advise?
i will finish some summer courses on july 27. i want to have dental school see the grades from these courses, and obviously have them factored into the decision.
so do i submit my application before july 27 and have the schools send my transcripts as soon as the grades get out? or i do i submit the app right after grades are out?
i'm not entirely versed with the application process, but all i know is that the earlier is better and i'm hoping late july-early august isn't too late because i know there's some delay time in between sending and receiving.

 

[civiapt]

Definitely apply before finishing those classes, then send in updated transcripts when you finish. I definitely regretted prolonging my application last cycle. Dental schools seem very receptive to updates anyways. Schools will most definitely factor those classes into their decisions.

 

[adizzle87]

If you apply in August or later you probably won't hear back for pre-Dec interviews. So unless you absolutely need the GPA boost I would submit your AADSAS application in June or July without your summer grades.

 

[drdru]

Definitely apply before finishing those classes, then send in updated transcripts when you finish. I definitely regretted prolonging my application last cycle. Dental schools seem very receptive to updates anyways. Schools will most definitely factor those classes into their decisions.

Do you update directly with dental school without involving AADSAS?

Also do you mind if I ask you when your application was submitted and if you received pre-december invites?

 

[iwannabadentist]

I submitted my AADSAS on June 19 and got 6+ (had to turn down some) interviews. If I were to give someone any single piece of advice regarding applications, it would be to apply early. Also, AADSAS has an "academic update" period sometime between November and February, which means you can update your summer/fall grades at that time. Although schools will have already looked at your application once by then, academic update is a good idea if you haven't heard back from anyone by that time. During the early stages of application process, most schools recommend (or even require) that you only submit documents and/or updates thru AADSAS so, like adizzle said, unless you absolutely need the GPA boost, apply early and then just do academic update. Honestly though, the minor GPA boost you will get from a couple of classes will just end up offsetting your late application - you can always update your grades, but you can't update how early you submit your application.

 

[doc7448]

I agree with iwannabeadentist. My application was sent out on August 10th and I received two POST December interviews. Granted my stats were not stellar, definitely average, however I had friends with similar gpas and DAT scores who applied in June/July and received a lot more interviews. I realize there are other factors to the application, but I'm positive that applying earlier was to their advantage. Also the courses that you take this summer will show up as "planned/in progress" on your application so schools will be aware that you are taking them. And as was said above, unless you are taking a ridiculous course load this summer, I doubt if the grades you receive will have a huge impact on your gpa.

 

[jmt1984]

Definitely apply before finishing those classes, then send in updated transcripts when you finish. I definitely regretted prolonging my application last cycle. Dental schools seem very receptive to updates anyways. Schools will most definitely factor those classes into their decisions.

I agree. I applied late last cycle as well. Applying late only makes it more difficult to compete for fewer spots.

 

[AASDDS1]

the problem is: i am taking a ridiculous course load this summer - 9 hours (organic/bio11/chem lab/physics lab) AND i am a nontrad. that means if i did apply before those grades came out, i would be going in with only 13 hours of science credit. the extra 9 hours will also boost my gpa almost .10 points. this is important because although i have a 4.0 in my 13 hours of science classes, my overall is 3.2ish and i could use that boost.

do you guys still think that applying earlier will outweigh my deficit in science background/lackluster overall gpa?

 

[AASDDS1]

another question: can i only do the academic update thing between nov-feb or can i just send updated grades whenenver (like end of summer -august-in my case)?

 

[iwannabadentist]

if you want to wait till august only to show schools you are taking more science classes, don't. like the poster above said, you can still write on your application what courses you are "planning" or are "in progress" and schools will sorta have an idea of that.

every school has a different policy on receiving stuff directly from students - contact the schools you are interested in. but on AADSAS, you can only do it thru nov-feb.

on a side not, do you really think you can take ALL those classes over the summer and still do well in every single one of them? because if it's gonna hurt ur GPA, i would recommend taking it easy. GPA is a very delicate matter, once effed up, its REALLY hard to revive it.

 

[jmt1984]

do you guys still think that applying earlier will outweigh my deficit in science background/lackluster overall gpa?

Hard to say, depends on the rest of your application IMHO. Have you already taken the DAT? It also makes a difference (I would guess) as to what schools you are applying to and if you are a resident, etc.

If I were in your shoes, I would apply earlier.

 

[BeaverBeliever]

Earlier is better. I applied middle of August and received 1 pre-Dec interview and 3 post-Dec interviews. My GPA was really high and I had a decent DAT, but still was offered mostly post-December interviews. I was still accepted with applying later, but definitely one's odds of being accepted goes up with pre-December interviews.

 

[goffdent]

I submitted my application August 20th, AADSAS didn't mail it till September 1st. I received 5 pre-december and 4 post december interviews. So it's possible. However, for example, i called michigan around the end of september, beginning of ocotober and they said they wouldn't get to my application for at least a month, so that meant november, december... they were going to get to my application as well as everyone else's who had theirs mailed the same day. They are slow and i'm sure other schools are too. So if i wanted to really go to michigan, i would have been screwed. So apply EARLY!!

 

[AASDDS1]

if you want to wait till august only to show schools you are taking more science classes, don't. like the poster above said, you can still write on your application what courses you are "planning" or are "in progress" and schools will sorta have an idea of that.

every school has a different policy on receiving stuff directly from students - contact the schools you are interested in. but on AADSAS, you can only do it thru nov-feb.

on a side not, do you really think you can take ALL those classes over the summer and still do well in every single one of them? because if it's gonna hurt ur GPA, i would recommend taking it easy. GPA is a very delicate matter, once effed up, its REALLY hard to revive it.

you make a valid point, one that ive thought about. ive talked to profs,other kids who have taken these professors/classes over the summer, and looked at my schedule and have determined that it is possible to do well.
bio2 is straight memorization (which i can do) according to past students. organic will be tough in the summer, so that will keep me on my feet. the labs are just.. labs. not expecting an easy time but i should be able to handle it.

 

[2PacClone23]

Well what if the application itself is submitted (LORS, everything) but you've told them that you're going to retake the DAT? Will they not look at the first batch of scores? If not,then should I put that I won't be retaking the DAT so I'll be reviewed immediately?

 

[txlonghorn]

of I submit my application in June, but take the DAT in early August? The application should already be at the schools and the DAT scores should be there by mid August. Would this be ok?

 

[adizzle87]

Well what if the application itself is submitted (LORS, everything) but you've told them that you're going to retake the DAT? Will they not look at the first batch of scores? If not,then should I put that I won't be retaking the DAT so I'll be reviewed immediately?

This really depends on the school. Some schools will a) wait on a retake if you've got a 19 and pass up your app entirely until then, b) review it but if they feel your app isn't strong enough they will do (a), c) like your app based on what they see and give you a interview. Calling the schools probably won't help because they each vary in how they evaluate situations like this.

 

[2PacClone23]

This really depends on the school. Some schools will a) wait on a retake if you've got a 19 and pass up your app entirely until then, b) review it but if they feel your app isn't strong enough they will do (a), c) like your app based on what they see and give you a interview. Calling the schools probably won't help because they each vary in how they evaluate situations like this.

Well that sucks man. I don't know what to do! What would you do if you were me?

 

[AASDDS1]

so i submit my application in say, mid june . i get grades back for 9 hours in late july and immediately update through adsas.

so question is: given the lag time in between submission and reviewing my app, could schools potentially not even have seen my apps without those 9 hours yet? meaning they JUST start reviewing when i get my grades updated (about a 6 wk lag).

 

[iwannabadentist]

i don't think you understand....once you submit aadsas, you can't make any changes to the academic section until november.