Studying for DAT while taking 16 units??!!

[Bimmer boy]

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Hello everyone, I was just wondering if it's realistic studying for the DAT while taking 16 units. I really don't want to wait until next summer to start studying because I want to have everything ready by the time application season comes up. Unfortunately summer is the only time I can fully just focus on studying for the DAT but I was just wondering if anyone has any advice for such a situation. Thanks!

 

[averageasian]

No. focus on your classes, specifically ones like orgo and Bio which will be on the dat. Focus on keeping your gpa where it is or make it higher. leave the dat for the summer. there is no way you can realistically focus in school and study for the dat, unless you take easy ass classes. Studying for the dat is like taking care of a baby: 1. It is full time 2. you get what you put into it 3.it demands your full attention at all times

also you want to leave some time for a social life during the semester which is impossible if youre trying to study for the dat. save it for the summer when all you need to focus on is the dat.

 

[asdf99]

Damn that'd be tough man and that's a big reason I chose to do the american DAT, even if that meant sacrificing many canadian schools.

If you want tips for how to study during the school year, maybe visit premed101 as there are alot of Canadians on that forum who have probably written the canadian DAT (which takes place during school term)

 

[super frank]

Depends on the courses you're taking. I studied while taking 15 and then studied for a few weeks after finals. You won't get a lot of time to study during the year.

 

[DMikes]

Depends on the person, work ethic, courses, GPA, extracurriculars, time management skills etc.

My point being there is no way anybody on SDN can tell you if it's possible or not for you.

My personal advice: focus on your classes but study casually. Plan to study in the summer and take the exam June-early July if you're ready. You can submit your application June 1, and you'll have a couple weeks to take your DAT if you must be in the first batch (which is nonsense).

As a general overarching theme, I'm sure most would recommend against studying for the exam during the school year as your GPA does come first.

 

[Dentist.2021]

I'd say it's possible, I took 7 classes (including labs) while studying for the DAT in March. However, like what others have said, it all depends on the person, course type, etc.

But I would say focus on your GRADES first, only take the DAT if you think you can absolutely handle it.

 

[Henry Killinger]

Lots of people study for the DAT during the summer, and it will give you a really nice benefit of applying early.

Also, see if you can fill up the DAT studying semester with easy gen ed requirements that you'd normally take later to give yourself some extra time. Seriously, pile on those lovely art, English, history, etc classes, it will refresh you while you study all the science material for the DAT. Perhaps dial back any extracurriculars you're doing as well.