Is it too late to apply now (June 30) for 2010 cycle?

[chourobin]

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Hi all,

Should I apply this 2010 cycle or wait another year for the 2011 cycle. The reason is because I didn't ask for my letters of recommendations yet and I didn't take the DAT yet. I just graduated with a degree in chemical engineering from UCLA but my GPA is pretty low at 3.06.

I was wondering if I should study hard for the DAT and prepare a good application by the 2011 cycle rather than rush through an application this cycle (since I know it's pretty expensive to apply).

Your advice would be greatly appreciated! 🙂🙂

 

[iwannabadentist]

if you feel that you are not going to be ready for this cycle, then apply for the next one. although you can apply without sending your DAT scores, most schools won't look at you application without them. also, if you haven't even started workin on your DATs yet, it might not be at least another 2 months or so before your scores are sent to schools. by this time, it won't be considered an "early application" and with your low GPA, your chances are lowered especially if you dont have a KILLER DAT score. i suggest you take time off and study for the DAT as well as take some more upper div science classes to boost your GPA, or perhaps even do a 1 yr SMP or PostBac if your are interested in that.

 

[AlwaysImproving]

It all depends on how hard you want to work.

I took my DAT sept 2nd. I studied for it for 1 month.
I applied August 12th. Got my letters of rec around then and the last one was submitted Sept. 11th.

So I didn't start this early (June 29th). I started later.

I do not recommend you follow my example by any means. But is it possible?
Yes. Again, it all depends on you.
I hope you make the right decision and that everything works out for you!! I wish you the best and let me know if there is anything I can do to help you out.

 

[full]

i'd put your focus on your DAT, that means even studying 6 months if necessary.

Otherwise you are taking a chance with your stats.

Do you just want to get into ANY school, or do you have some selectivitiy as far as your choices?

 

[michi]

i agree, but i have a questiion. what is SMP?

if you feel that you are not going to be ready for this cycle, then apply for the next one. although you can apply without sending your DAT scores, most schools won't look at you application without them. also, if you haven't even started workin on your DATs yet, it might not be at least another 2 months or so before your scores are sent to schools. by this time, it won't be considered an "early application" and with your low GPA, your chances are lowered especially if you dont have a KILLER DAT score. i suggest you take time off and study for the DAT as well as take some more upper div science classes to boost your GPA, or perhaps even do a 1 yr SMP or PostBac if your are interested in that.

 

[chourobin]

Thanks for all the feedback. Is there a deadline the Letters of Recs have to be mailed out? Also, is there a penalty for taking the DAT more than once?

@full - I am pretty open to any school. I have a friend applying to Western, and since it's in Pomona, CA, it is a big plus for me.

 

[americanpierg]

Apply this cycle, you have nothing to lose but a couple thousand dollars. You've already learned everything, just spend a month studying for the DAT, that will be more than enough. You're not LEARNING everything over again, you're just refreshing your memory... unless you forgot everthing then you will need more time. I personally feel 1 month of 6+ hours a day is overkill becuase by the 2nd week you would have refreshed everything and studying more wont necessarily be any more helpful, just a waste of time. By the time your DAT scores are sent to the schools, assuming you take it by the end of July, your app will be all sent to the school too. Everything will be set at the school at the beginning of september, and you're still early enough to be "semi-early"