Omg!!! DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT

[anonymousername]

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Hey all,

I'm a junior right now. I've taken Gchem and I'll be done with Orgo at the end this semester. I will finish the Bio series next year (at the end of Spring 11) and apply in Summer 11. I'm planning on staying an extra semester in school...so when should I take the DAT?? (also I'm planning on taking a prep course)

 

[subdoc]

Hey all,

I'm a junior right now. I've taken Gchem and I'll be done with Orgo at the end this semester. I will finish the Bio series next year (at the end of Spring 11) and apply in Summer 11. I'm planning on staying an extra semester in school...so when should I take the DAT?? (also I'm planning on taking a prep course)

I am sure you will appreciate the smart-ass reply, but take the DAT when you're ready.

 

[vlct0ria]

Hey all,

I'm a junior right now. I've taken Gchem and I'll be done with Orgo at the end this semester. I will finish the Bio series next year (at the end of Spring 11) and apply in Summer 11. I'm planning on staying an extra semester in school...so when should I take the DAT?? (also I'm planning on taking a prep course)

AADSAS 2011 opens on June 3rd, so I would take it earlier or as soon after that date as possible. I submitted my app early, but took my DAT a couple months after the app opened, so I was delayed in getting any of the earliest interview invites. If you can't start studying til classes end (around May I'm guessing?), I would do 2 solid months of studying and take mid July at the latest (that was probably when some of the earliest interview invites started coming in this past cycle). Good luck and don't put it off like I did!

 

[spud daddy]

AADSAS 2011 opens on June 3rd, so I would take it earlier or as soon after that date as possible. I submitted my app early, but took my DAT a couple months after the app opened, so I was delayed in getting any of the earliest interview invites. If you can't start studying til classes end (around May I'm guessing?), I would do 2 solid months of studying and take mid July at the latest (that was probably when some of the earliest interview invites started coming in this past cycle). Good luck and don't put it off like I did!

👍

 

[anonymousername]

AADSAS 2011 opens on June 3rd, so I would take it earlier or as soon after that date as possible. I submitted my app early, but took my DAT a couple months after the app opened, so I was delayed in getting any of the earliest interview invites. If you can't start studying til classes end (around May I'm guessing?), I would do 2 solid months of studying and take mid July at the latest (that was probably when some of the earliest interview invites started coming in this past cycle). Good luck and don't put it off like I did!

thanks for the advice. Yeah my spring 11 term ends on May 30, 2011.

This is what is still confusing me.

Spr 10: Orgo 2
Sum 10: research
Fall 10: Bio 1 (cell, genetics, development)
Spr 11: Bio 2 (plant, ecology, evolution)

I would prefer to have the DAT done before I submit my app and I'm planning on submitting it early (really early). When should I take the DAT prep course?

I know that it depends on my comfort level but is it feasible to take the prep course w/ Bio 2?

 

[TheLoveMD]

Hey all,

I'm a junior right now. I've taken Gchem and I'll be done with Orgo at the end this semester. I will finish the Bio series next year (at the end of Spring 11) and apply in Summer 11. I'm planning on staying an extra semester in school...so when should I take the DAT?? (also I'm planning on taking a prep course)

im applying next summer too and im studying for/taking the DAT this summer...i may also be doing research but ill have plenty of time to study for the DAT...a good structured program of studying and you should b able to pull it off this summer...i dont know why many people wait to take it til the summer their applying...you should take it once youve completed the prereqs and feel comfortable...always gives you another chance to take it if your scores arent in the best range

 

[anonymousername]

yeah, but I wont have taken the last prereq until summer before I apply.

Spr 10: Orgo 2
Sum 10: research
Fall 10: Bio 1 (cell, genetics, development)
Spr 11: Bio 2 (plant, ecology, evolution)
Sum 11: Apply

I want to apply early so...

how can I fit the DAT and review session in?
is it even feasible to take a review session while taking the actual course?

 

[TheLoveMD]

yeah, but I wont have taken the last prereq until summer before I apply.

Spr 10: Orgo 2
Sum 10: research
Fall 10: Bio 1 (cell, genetics, development)
Spr 11: Bio 2 (plant, ecology, evolution)
Sum 11: Apply

I want to apply early so...

how can I fit the DAT and review session in?
is it even feasible to take a review session while taking the actual course?

review sessions are a waste of money IMO...finish up pre reqs and study hard for about a month and take it inlike late june early july

 

[New2Philly]

I don't think your bad off. During this cycle I turned in my AADSAS around June 15th, but I took by DAT on Aug. 6th and just had the scores turned into the schools that I applied. This probably kept me away from the DEC 1st applicants, but I got six interviews, and two acceptances. I feel the key is getting a competitive score, and writing a great personal statement and secondaries.

My advice is as follows:
-Don't pay for a review class (Most people I know thought it a waste of time and misleading on how well prepared you are)
-Start researching for study aids now
-Don't study course textbooks; only use them to clarify things. You will find yourself with too much info.
-Write your personal statement as soon as possible (ideally this summer)
-If you have time go through the Kaplan DAT book this summer (read it and take notes). You may not understand everything until the class but most of the material is alot like high school science.
-Ask people you know who took the review courses for tricks for better scores in the PAT (I find that this is the only thing that they are good for)
-Take up reading the economist or scientific american or something like that. This will help on the reading comprehension
-Don't take the DAT until you feel that you could get around 20 for all categories
-The Summer that your studying treat it like a job. Do 8 to 10 hours a day studying, and regularly check your progress.
-Get as many practice tests with explanations as possible.
-Take up some sort of exercise. I personally would go over flash cards on walks or a stationary bike.

Take the DAT to conquer it the first time. The DAT is expensive and time consuming. It is easier to reapply with a strong DAT score then having to retake the DAT.