Please help me out!!! Should I take the DAT in October instead of this week?!

[applications]

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My GPA is below the average, and I haven't been studying for the DAT (AA:18 PAT:17). I can either (1) reschedule my DAT to October and apply late, or (2) choose a different career.

Taking a gap year seems too risky financially. All of the test centers are booked from now through September. I don't want to waste $1500 on applications as a below-average pre-dental student who is applying late. Please help me out! I want to know your personal experience/ what you would do!

 

[WastedTime]

october is very very late for a below average gpa... u might be able to get an acceptance if u score 23+, but i'm just guessing... apply now and inform the schools of the pending retake

 

[ktran17]

Drive out of state to take your test. My friend did that.

 

[Glimmer1991]

Yeah, choose a different Prometric center.

You need a solid 8 weeks to study, though.

...why did you do this to yourself?!

 

[BobbyBeavis]

How exactly is a gap year risky financially? You ARE aware of how expensive dental schools will be, correct?

 

[DentalDoge]

How exactly is a gap year risky financially? You ARE aware of how expensive dental schools will be, correct?

Yea hthis also escapes me.

 

[dbd]

Option 2

 

[Faux]

I went to nj to take my test (live in ny). Dates open all the time too.

 

[Dentalguy8621]

How exactly is a gap year risky financially? You ARE aware of how expensive dental schools will be, correct?

I agree with this. Take some time to readjust and get your priorities together. October is pretty late to take DAT IMO.

 

[applications]

Yeah, choose a different Prometric center.

You need a solid 8 weeks to study, though.

...why did you do this to yourself?!

That is a very good question. 🙁 I've looked at every single prometric test center within 200 miles of 2 states, and they are all booked from now until the next 3 months. Also, I probably should have just written "risky" not "risky financially". If I take a gap year, I would be taking classes and maybe working part time for 1 or 2 years after graduating. I would spend all of those years investing in dental school admissions, and if I still don't get in, I would have wasted that time and money. I'm not sure if I should just give up at this point.

 

[DentalDoge]

I think it's important to include were planning on applying.