Need some advice regarding upcoming application cycle

[Exoduso]

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So I recently decided to make the switch from premed to predental for various reasons which are not the point of this topic.

My problem right now is that we are already in April and I am not very knowledgeable in terms of which materials are best for the DAT, and even then I still need to start studying for the DAT, score well, and apply.
I am starting to shadow a dentist next week, and even though that may be enough time to get a good letter from him, there's still the whole process of the DAT.

On top of it all, for some schools I realized they want Psych which I never took and so will need to go back to CC and pick the class up, perhaps in the summer. I'm also going to be out of the country for a couple of family weddings from early June until mid-July.

With all of that said, would you say it's best to attempt to gather all the necessary and best DAT materials and attempt to study AND take the DAT before I leave in June? Or is that not going to be enough time? I should note that I did study for the MCAT not that long ago, so much of the AA material is not new information for me.
Even if I do that, is it considered late to be submitting the application in early July or whenever the DAT scores come back? Or is that still on the early side? I will obviously not even have the Psych done at that point but I assume that as long as I mark it as 'in progress' I should be alright since it's just one thing.

Or is it better to just take my time, do exceptional on the DAT, and wait for the next application cycle?
I'd like to hear some thoughts from people who have been through this.

 

[zammyd]

Bump. I'm pretty much in the same situation.

 

[mrdocta]

If waiting an extra year to apply isn't a problem, I would do so personally. It will only make your life a little easier while trying to study, shadow, and take psych. Since its already April the app cycle is right around the corner. You can do a lot as an applicant to make yourself stand out even more during a gap year if you take advantage of different opportunities.

As for the DAT, I'd say 8-10 solid weeks of studying should be plenty of time for a competitive score that you should be pleased with. Here's some recommended materials:

Bio- AP cliff's bio 3rd edition and feralis notes (I think that is what it's called)
Chem- chads videos
QR- math destroyer
Perceptual ability- crack the DAT
Reading comprehension- dat boot camp

I'd highly recommend DAT boot camp. It saved my life. Wish I had more time to use it. Every section was structured almost identically to the real thing.

There's obviously more materials you can use, but those are top picks for most students.

 

[bc1002]

Early July is definitely on the early side. Your timeline sounds tight but still possible. I started shadowing 3 dentists and studying DAT in June, went back school to take 22 credits of courses in August, took my DAT in September, and applied in October.

 

[Exoduso]

My main problem with waiting another year is the fact that I am almost a year out from graduating as it is, and some of the requirements the schools want, such as Bio/Ochem/physics, were taken at CC before I transferred to UCLA to finish my BS.
I know it's not that terrible of a problem, but knowing that the application cycle takes a year as it is before you begin school worries me that I will basically be out of school for another 2 years or so before actually starting.

 

[darknightzzz]

My main problem with waiting another year is the fact that I am almost a year out from graduating as it is, and some of the requirements the schools want, such as Bio/Ochem/physics, were taken at CC before I transferred to UCLA to finish my BS.
I know it's not that terrible of a problem, but knowing that the application cycle takes a year as it is before you begin school worries me that I will basically be out of school for another 2 years or so before actually starting.

Some dental schools want prereq to be done within 5 years of starting dental school. (so you probably have to retake some expire prereq)
Yes, if you study for MCAT hard enough, just buy practice to study for DAT
Bio/gchem/ochem: DAT bootcamp mix with Qvault (equal probability of showing up)
PAT- just buy and use the Crack the DAT(PAT portion only). DAT bootcamp DAT is not representative because it test little detail difference but good time management to mix with crack the DAT PAT so you dont get too used to the crack the DAT PAT
Reading Comprehension/Math: Qvault and DAT bootcamp suffice for me.

Best of luck, I switched from premed to dental so I will apply at the end of senior year. I did study and took the MCAT so it may help.

It took me only 7 weeks to study the DAT with almost 1 week off for break since I start to go crazy (3-4 hours a day). I did not take break between days so I kinda go crazy so blend in our break you need it.

My score is (if you happen to wonder) 21 AA, 22TS, 23 PAT (23 Bio 21 Gchem 23 Ochem 23 PAT 19 RC 21 QR)

the 19 RC comprehension is a bit low because english is my second language (only here for 6-7 years)

 

[Faux]

You could take psych next spring.

What schools are requiring that course? >.>

 

[midman19]

I would say most schools do not require psychology. Most the schools I looked at didn't. If the majority of the schools you will be applying to don't require it, don't take it and scratch the one school off the list that does, unless it is your dream school.