Skipping a Semester - Is it a Big Deal?

[Rand627]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hey guys! First post here. I'm pre-dental and am a senior at BYU. Here's a bit of background so you can understand the question..

I'm not applying this year. So, no matter what I do I'll be applying next year (2016) and will be entering dental school in 2017. This gives me 4 major semesters to finish the classes I need. I only need to use 3 of those semesters, which gives me a bit of leeway.

So basically I have two options.

Option 1: Take Fall 2015/Winter (Jan-April for BYU) 2016/Fall 2016 and then graduate. I would then have 8 months off before dental school and would take the DAT during a full 14 credit hour semester (Winter 2016) (or right after).

Option 2. Take Fall 2015/Skip Winter 2016/Take Fall 2016/Take Winter 2017. I would then have 4 months off before dental school but would take the DAT without worrying about school (during Winter 2016).

Option 1 is more traditional. Option 2 makes use of my extra time, but I'm afraid dental schools will worry about the fact that I took a semester off.

So the biggest question is, will a dental school care if I take a semester off? I'll still graduate on time. I should get a better DAT score. I've already planned out classes and know they will work either way.

Let me know your opinions and thanks a bunch for the help!

 

[futuredoc2019dds]

In my opinion, they don't care just make sure to do well in your course work. Personally I would take advantage of a semester off to study for the DAT and do well on it to increase your chances of getting in.

 

[BYU4you]

If those were my only two options I would take option two. Take this from another BYU guy who had to study during winter semester with a ill class load including Ochem and Physiology and Ochem lab. Not fun.

 

[Rand627]

Haha..I heard our o-chem lab is a pain. I'm a chem 107 TA and i'm still not looking forward to it.

Thanks for your opinions guys. If anyone else has an opinion please let me know! The more opinions I get the better.

=D

 

[Rand627]

Giving this a bump. Would love other's opinions!

 

[ajj70]

Why not study this summer for the DAT, take it before school starts, then you can take the 3 semesters in a row and not worry about it? Or, if you haven't taken the classes you need yet, you are out of school in April, study in April, May, take the DAT the first week of June, then submit your application then.

 

[aspiringdentist2019]

I have some experience in this. I took my very last semester off before dental school started (option 1) and I think that's a good idea simply because adcoms will give you easier time with it. By January you might already have been accepted and they might not even ask you. None of my pre or lost dec interviewers asked me and I was accepted to 5 schools.

On the other hand, taking a semester off in the middle and then starting school again may offer some negative perspective to adcom (such as, you had to take semester off for DAT studying so maybe you cannot handle rigors of dental school). It just seems more awkward to me vs saying "oh I finished all requirements and would like to take semester off to relax and take a little time to my self before dental school" if you do #1.

Also, you don't need 3-4 months to study for DAT. I actually believe the optimum time is 4-6 weeks depending on your study habits but I would never extend that period simply because you will start to forget things you learned in the beginning. Hope that helps!