NEED ADVICE PLZ: Submit apps NOW or wait until after DAT?

[hokie4life]

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I know others have asked this question but I need to explain my situation because I think the answers might change because of it...

I just graduated in May and decided shortly before that to apply this cycle. I decided it would be best to wait until I took the DATs to see the scores I got so that I don't blow money on schools well out of my range so I didn't submit apps but I keep pushing back my DAT (originally I thought I'd take it by June 25th and now I’m planning on doing it July 18th! ). At this rate I won't have my app in until late July! I thought it'd be better if I just go ahead and submit it now and take out the few days to do so at least it gets processed during July and hopefully will start getting reviewed by august (since it takes 1-2 months for it to be processed from what I keep hearing) instead of submitting it in late august/august and having it be done by sept/oct!

I know I'm taking a risk by submitting before seeing my scores but from what I can tell this is what the majority of people do right? It's the "right" or wiser thing to do? I guess there's so many things working against me that I don't want being a late applicant to be one of them too because I don't think I'd be the perfect candidate but I think I have a good shot. I think the biggest thing weighing me down is the fact that I applied to med schools even though I withdrew my apps before submitting secondaries cuz I realized it wasn't what I wanted anymore and that I really did want to do dentistry. I know we see pre-med converting to pre-dents or others and its seen as them settling but I PROMISE that I've researched and am making a well educated decision based on facts and experiences, I'm not just settling and being flaky but I know that's what people esp. on adcoms might to think. I don't know how to get them to think otherwise other than just to explain it in my essay.

My stats: TONS of volunteer work of all sorts but only about 50+ hours of shadowing experience in one practice so far, 3.56 gpa, 3.77 bio minor gpa, much lower total science gpa due to C's in ochem and one semester of chem and physics.

I know I don’t' have a perfect gpa or years of dentistry related experience such as working as an assistant but this is exactly what I want to do and it sucks it took so long to get here but I am now and am def. applying this cycle finally and would really appreciate your honest advice...should I submit my apps now considering I don't have 1000s of hours or a perfect gpa.

so far my scores on dAT practice - yesterday I took topscore test 2 and got: bio 17, chem 16, ochem 14, qr 16, rc 21, pat 22. The section I'm been focusing on the most is pat and its' paying off but I know I have a lot of work to do on the rest...esp. cuz I'm hoping to get something high enough to make up for the other not so hot parts of my app like the fact that I applied to med school and don’t' have 1000s of dental experience hours..

so with all that said...ANY advice?😕😕😕😕

thank you in advance...your help is always appreciated 🙂

 

[in her drawer]

Submit now. Worry about your scores later.

 

[jeezy]

its really your call. i'd probably apply to my top 5 now (your scores will catch up). i submitted when i had only 35 hours shadowing, but by oct/nov i'll be over 100. i think it reflects well to show that you have continued actively learning and have more exp than your file shows.

if your scores arent where you like, add more schools in 2 weeks. i dont think it costs more (beside the $xx/school). AADSAS might not even be done verifying, in which case all the apps will go out at the same time.

im not 100% sure if my understanding is right on that, speak up if you know better.

 

[whoaaitzkyle]

hokie,

I'm in the same boat as you buddy. I've always been pre-dental but my application lacks somewhere else. In my particular case, I don't have as much of a competitive GPA as others. Either way, I'd say get in your app ASAP so it can start getting processed. I've learned the whole dental application process is all about rushing so you can wait....until you get that call one day from an admissions officer! Just make sure you study hard for your DATs and I'm sure you'll be fine! gluck 🙂

 

[DrSmiles12]

Hookie,

Submit you fetchin app now!!! If you want to get in and your afraid you scores will be low then you have to have your app in before everyone else!!!! USE YOUR HEAD MAN!

 

[hokie4life]

hey guys,
thanks so much for responding! I was getting so worried from the lack from responses but everyone seems to be saying to apply so THANK YOU for your advice and taking the time to read my situation! I will try to get my app out A.S.A.P. I just gotta pick the right schools now since I feel like I"m sorta blindly applying and there's only school here in my state

THANK YOU for the advice though! you guys are awesome and good luck with the rest of the process

 

[mterp45]

so far my scores on dAT practice - yesterday I took topscore test 2 and got: bio 17, chem 16, ochem 14, qr 16, rc 21, pat 22. The section I'm been focusing on the most is pat and its' paying off but I know I have a lot of work to do on the rest...esp. so with all that said...ANY advice?😕😕😕😕

thank you in advance...your help is always appreciated 🙂[/quote]

Hey buddy listen, why are you focusing so much on the PAT I believe the average PAT score is a 17 and you are way above that so stop focusing on it. you have to do an immense amount of work on you ochem and chem and bio score, if you can get 18's or higher across the board you will be a very strong candidate. Your Gpa is fine and I promiss you that you really don't need 1000 hours of shadowing with a dentist, 50 is fine and getting a high DAT score on Chem and Ochem would help negate those C's that you got in those classes. So submit your application, and study study study for the DAT and you'll be in dental school before you know it.

 

[mterp45]

Hey buddy listen, why are you focusing so much on the PAT I believe the average PAT score is a 17 and you are way above that so stop focusing on it. you have to do an immense amount of work on you ochem and chem and bio score, if you can get 18's or higher across the board you will be a very strong candidate. Your Gpa is fine and I promiss you that you really don't need 1000 hours of shadowing with a dentist, 50 is fine and getting a high DAT score on Chem and Ochem would help negate those C's that you got in those classes. So submit your application, and study study study for the DAT and you'll be in dental school before you know it.