Please Help! When should I apply? Still doing prereqs/Nontrad applicant

[pipersnap]

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Graduated from a top university with a 3.43 in Religion (something I was passionate about) in 3 years.

Did some of the prereqs there but need to finish, now at a CSU (Cal state university) finishing up the prereqs which I will be doing until June 2013.

-2 yrs work experience as a phlebotomist
-over 150 hours volunteer work at a clinic
-currently volunteering & shadowing

I wont be taking Ochem until Fall 2012.

Should I study for the Ochem parts of the DAT and take the DAT in the spring and apply Summer 2012? Or should I apply in 2013 when I'm done with prereqs?

 

[Bereno]

There is no way that you can do well enough on the O-chem section of the DAT purely from self study. You will have to wait until after you have taken O-chem.

Good Luck!

 

[dentalWorks]

Graduated from a top university with a 3.43 in Religion (something I was passionate about) in 3 years.

Did some of the prereqs there but need to finish, now at a CSU (Cal state university) finishing up the prereqs which I will be doing until June 2013.

-2 yrs work experience as a phlebotomist
-over 150 hours volunteer work at a clinic
-currently volunteering & shadowing

I wont be taking Ochem until Fall 2012.

Should I study for the Ochem parts of the DAT and take the DAT in the spring and apply Summer 2012? Or should I apply in 2013 when I'm done with prereqs?

Applying in summer 2012 or 2013 are both good options. IMO, if you can swing solo-studying for orgo, I'd say do it.

I was one of the guys who took both orgos before my DAT, but I also know few people who only took orgo 1 (and self learned orgo 2) and did just fine on the DAT (20+ scores).

At least take orgo 1, it lays the foundation for orgo 2.

good luck

 

[pipersnap]

Let's say I were to apply this coming summer. Which schools would be more understanding of a non-traditional like me still trying to complete requirements?

 

[pipersnap]

Bump bump. Will dental schools be understanding that I'll still be completing the requirements while waiting for acceptance?

 

[youknowthedrill]

If you haven't taken Physics yet, delay it and take Organic in its place. Physics isn't covered on the DAT and you could take it next year while you apply.

 

[pipersnap]

I can't, I'm still in gen chem and I can't take ochem before gen chem. So that's why I'm currently doing my gen chem, physics, and bio classes all at the same time.

 

[doc toothache]

Bump bump. Will dental schools be understanding that I'll still be completing the requirements while waiting for acceptance?

Which part of your resume should bring about the understanding that you are looking for?

 

[sacapuntas]

There is no way that you can do well enough on the O-chem section of the DAT purely from self study. You will have to wait until after you have taken O-chem.

Good Luck!

It is not unheard of to do the O-Chem on the DAT without taking the classes. I personally know several people that have achieved very high scores on the DAT and specifically the orgo section with only being self taught. Granted, many people aren't capable of learning on their own so you need to be honest with yourself before attempting a task like this.

If you are serious about it, pm me and I can give you the sequence that I am doing to self-teach myself orgo for the DAT...takes commitment but saves a year of your time.

 

[sacapuntas]

Bump bump. Will dental schools be understanding that I'll still be completing the requirements while waiting for acceptance?

Yes, many schools will be understanding if you have most of the pre-reqs done. A lot of people take physics after applications and some are still finishing up classes like o-chem 2, biochemistry or microbiology for example. Just do research on the schools you want to apply to and see how they view your situation. As a fellow non-trad that is about a year ahead of you in the process, I have had many of the same questions. Feel free to PM me anytime for tips/advice that can make your journey to dental school easier.