Pissed!

[DrRoyal Pains]

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Alright guys, here's my situation. Im graduating in December, and I've been studying for the DAT since May. I still dont feel prepared enough, especially because I am making stupid mistakes in Gen Chem and Orgo. In addition to this, only scoring a 19 on Kaplans PAT (which I heard is much easier than the actual thing) so I think I am going to cancel my test and eliminate myself from this application cycle. I am unbeleivably pissed off at myself for doing this, but I think its the right thing to do 🙁. A family friend is a professor at Penn's dental school and I was talking about the situation with her. She said she applied her junior year, and because she had a 4.0 and 2 yrs of research, they automatically accepted her without even taking the DAT. She said in her application that she was going to take it during the next application cycle, and the school said that was perfectly fine (times have obviously changed). Also, I took biochem instead of O Chem 2( there was a miscommunication when I was talking with the dean of Penns dental school), which means I am now taking O Chem 2 after I graduate. This leaves me time to study for the DAT, in addition to taking the class, plus a few extra months following the courses end. I would also be given more time to strengthen my transcript, due to the fact that I only 150+ hours of shadowing, and the same for volunteering. I would appreciate any input or idea's of what to do from here.

 

[smiley89]

Have you already submitted your application for this cycle? If not it may be in your best interest to wait until next year especially since you don't feel ready for the DAT and it's starting to get late in the cycle. If you decide to wait I would suggest that you continue with your DAT studying until you feel ready and take it well before you apply next year, if you aren't happy with your scores this will give you time for a retake and show you where you need improvement. Also if you take the DAT before taking ochem 2 I highly suggest watching chad's videos he helped me get a 22 in ochem w/o having taken that class. Another thing, get crack dat pat! Another lifesaver. And the best thing you can do for yourself is apply early, have the DAT done and everything ready to go by June next year. However if you have already submitted you app for this year theres no sense in wasting all that money, do your best on the DAT and see what happens.

 

[DrRoyal Pains]

I haven't submitted my application yet. Im not even done my personal essay! I took 4 classes, in addition to studying for the DAT, which I beleive took up a majority of my study time. I feel like crap, but like I said, I think its the best thing to do. I have the Destroyer, KBB, and the Barrons book for PAT. I think I'am going to get CDP when I start studying again, I have heard extremely great things about it. I've been watching Chad's videos for the past two weeks. I just feel like crap because I've been studying since May and now Im not even taking the test. I think its in my best interest though. I'd rather wait and do some additional studying and bitch slap the test then take it in a week and do average.

 

[txlonghorn]

Dude, kaplan sucks big seminiferous tubules! They have so many errors on their tests, which end up bringing your score down. If I were you, I would just practice a little and take the test in about 2-3 weeks. If you don't do well, you can appply again next year and destroy the DAT. It will save you a year even if you make a 19 or 20. It seems that you are interested in Penn- their dat average was a 20 - check the Ada guide.

 

[DrRoyal Pains]

I took their live online class. Lucky for me, I won it during their free day of give away thing or whatever. From what I hear, topscore if much better. Anyway, because you can only take the DAT 3 times max (I think?), I would rather eliminate myself from this cycle in order to not receive an average score, and take it this spring which gives me much more time to study/get my things together so I can submit my app and test score first thing!👍

 

[levesque2177]

as for your concern about gchem and ochem, dont fret! i took my DAT today and the day before the DAT i took topscore test 3 and got a 16 for ochem and a 14 on chem.. A 14!!!! i was freaking out and was contemplating canceling too. but i decided not to let the hundreds and hundreds of dollars put into this process go to waste and took it. i ended up getting a 25 in gchem and a 21 in ochem. my version of the exam was super super basic. so i wouldnt worry too much about sciences if youve gotten all the basics down and are just making silly computational errors and such. just make sure that you dont make those during the actual test. i was so hopped up on adrenaline and fear of making dumb mistakes that i think i was extra extra careful not to make them, which i think helped. dont give up!

 

[DrRoyal Pains]

What are some additional things I can add to my transcript to make it extra awsome? I only have 150+ hours of shadowing and community service, so I obv. have to do more in those two areas. I've held two positions in my fraternity, I play lacrosse for my school, and I am in multiple honor socieities.

 

[Lethstang]

im not sure why you are waiting. applying this year is nothing but gambling, with no downside. you dont lose anything by trying, you just have a chance to win. what am i missing?

 

[DrRoyal Pains]

I dont feel fully prepared for the test yet. Also, Im not even finished my personal essay. I think its better I wait until next cycle, gives me more time to study/strengthen my transcript, and I can get everything in ASAP once the new cycle starts.

 

[Lethstang]

your reasoning doesnt address the issue.

 

[DrRoyal Pains]

How? I dont feel prepared, Im not finished my personal statement, and I feel as if my transcript is not strong enough yet? If I wait until the next cycle I can 1). Get additional study time 2.) Gain more shadowing hours, volunteering, etc. Also, I did not submit my application yet so its not like Im loosing money, ya know?

 

[Lethstang]

because by applying this year, you dont lose anything, you can only gain an acceptance. in trading we say this is all upside, and no downside.

anyways im not trying to convince you to apply this year. gl next cycle

 

[DrRoyal Pains]

Thanks brah. You too.