Need help on when I should apply

[mjg713]

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I am currently a post-bacc student finishing up pre-reqs. I still have to complete Orgo 2 ,Microbiology (retake), Biochem, and take the DAT. I have a B.S. and have been doing really well in my post-bacc classes. It looks like I will only be taking Orgo 2 next semester (I need a good grade, Chem is not my strong point), Microbiology in the Summer and Biochem whenever (only because now a lot of schools are starting to require it). My issue is I don't know when I should apply. Do I start studying for the DAT after Orgo 2 or before? I don't know if I am going to be able to do both simultaneously especially with working full-time.

I want to be able to apply very early because I need any advantage I can get. My GPA is not super high (3.4 currently), so applying early would help. I'm not sure if I should take my time and take all of these three classes and ace them before I apply to increase my GPA, because that would mean I would have to apply in 2015.

 

[Gaucho4Life]

I'd study for the DAT concurrently with Orgo 2, since that will be your only class. However, balancing a full-time job would be difficult. Take out loans and do well on the DAT and school work and abandon work temporarily? I mean... You're gonna be pulling out MASSIVE loans anyway for d school, and this way you can apply next cycle and save a year also. A 3.4 isn't bad at all to apply with especially if you're applying early, I'd just have the DAT done by June or before then if you want to apply first batch. Being that you're a post-bacc student, would your gpa rise that much? Especially your science gpa since you have a B.S.?

 

[mjg713]

Hey, thanks for the feedback. Would you think it is stupid if I take say Micro next semester and take Orgo 2 after I apply? Only because I don't want to risk getting a bad grade in Orgo 2, I really struggled with Orgo 1. I have a feeling it would look bad because Orgo is an important pre-req Also to elaborate on the gpa I think I technically have around a 3.35 after this semester, and after acing the 13 or so credits I have left, I will be a little closer to 3.4.

Regarding loans and debt, I know that dental school is going to be very costly but I have zero debt currently and would like to have zero debt going into dental school. I can definitely cut down to around 2-3 days a week of working but to not work at all is not really something I prefer to do.