Should I wait for next cycle?

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AT89

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Hi,

Thanks for reading, and answering. I am non-traditional student, I am 28yrs. old, and I am done with the basic pre-requisites, except PhysicsI&II + Labs. Besides the General BIO, I took Molecular Biology (A) Microbiology (B) & Physiology (B).
I have 240hrs. of research in a Psychology Lab, back in 2013.
I'll be taking the DAT august 1st.
I have 40hrs of shadowing... I am planning on finishing up to 100hrs., next couple weeks.
I have 60hs of volunteering.
My cumulative GPA sits at 3.66 (because of two C's Freshman year)
My science GPA is 3.58 (if count the C in into to BIO freshman year = 3.48)

Should I wait try to increase my science GPA, and work on my extracurricular or should I apply?
 
I took the DAT later than you are planning and turned out ok. You might not get as many interviews as you would if you took it earlier but as long as your DAT is good enough you are good to go.
Apply to as many schools as possible that you are willing to actually attend if accepted.
 
Why are you taking the dat so late? If you have the money you can apply now and submit the dat later. Your gpa is fine.
Thanks! I'll apply June 1st, and then I'll submit my DAT later. Right now, I am only applying to 2 school. I don't want to waste money. I don't have physics pre-requisites done yet. OMG... this is a very overwhelming process.
 
I took the DAT later than you are planning and turned out ok. You might not get as many interviews as you would if you took it earlier but as long as your DAT is good enough you are good to go.
Apply to as many schools as possible that you are willing to actually attend if accepted.
Thanks for the giving me hope. I'll apply to more schools next year because I am not done with physics classes. I am a little worry I get called for interviews and having to travel in between exams.
 
Many people apply without all of their pre-requisites. You have an entire year to finish them, schools don't have a problem with that. If you could try to take that DAT a little earlier and apply to a few more schools, you could save yourself a year! Your gpa is great, definitely apply this cycle.


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Many people apply without all of their pre-requisites. You have an entire year to finish them, schools don't have a problem with that. If you could try to take that DAT a little earlier and apply to a few more schools, you could save yourself a year! Your gpa is great, definitely apply this cycle.


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What about traveling to make it to interviews? That's my fear, I'll be in school still.
 
What about traveling to make it to interviews? That's my fear, I'll be in school still.

My professors were very much ok with me missing classes for interviews. They know that you aren't just skipping class for no reason, but are working towards a certain goal that is also education related.
If you already registered for classes, you could probably even email your professors now, and ask them if it will be an issue.
Plus, schools almost always give you a choice of which date you'd like to come for an interview, so you could schedule that around your exams...


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Thanks! I'll apply June 1st, and then I'll submit my DAT later. Right now, I am only applying to 2 school. I don't want to waste money. I don't have physics pre-requisites done yet. OMG... this is a very overwhelming process.
Apply to at least 10 IMO, I agree you only need one, and can only attend one, but unless you only willing to become a dentist by going to either one of those two...I would apply to more schools...
 
I do not recommend taking the DAT late and applying to 2 schools. If you do, you are only hurting your chances. Try to take it earlier if possible, but if not, you must apply broadly to ~8-10ish schools.
 
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I agree with some of the posters above - apply to more schools (I'd recommend ~5 minimum). Your GPA is fine. The August test date is pushing it, but you'll also be fine if you score well and submit the rest of your application before your DAT. Up those shadowing hours a bit!
 
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