Submit application to one school?

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dent56171

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I am retaking the DAT July 19. My GPA is aa 3.47 with a science of 3.2/3.3. I am applying to about 15 schools. Next week I am planning on submitting my transcript from my university however, will not be sending in my application until June 28 as they will have to wait until after July 19 to receive my DAT score again anyways (first time I got a 17 AA). Should I only submit to one school on June 28? So the transcript can be verified and application can be completed? or should I just send to all?
 
I would suggest submitting your application as soon as possible to a single school so that you can get through the verification process sooner. Your application will be 'complete' in the eyes of dental schools once you've uploaded your evaluations, old DAT score, and verified transcripts. So, if you were to submit your complete application to a school, nothing would stop them from going through it and making a decision before you were to upload your new (and improved:xf:) DAT results. With a lower end GPA and a 17AA, it's entirely possible to be deferred if said school is reviewing your app before your new DAT score appears. For that reason, I'd be hesitant to send a complete application to all 15 schools right away - just in case. This might be a misguided suggestion, but I would opt to send my application to the school I care about least so that verification can proceed ASAP without risking deferment at a top choice. Or just bite the bullet and submit shortly before your DAT is uploaded, accepting that your app won't be reviewed with the new score until August. The chances of getting interviewed/accepted with your listed stats are slim, so you're probably looking at serious considerations from most schools only in August regardless of which route you go with. Then again, it really comes down to getting that new killer DAT score, good letters/experiences, and a well written PS. Focus on the things you can control, and don't worry so much about date of submission. Someone who's been on similar grounds might be able to provide a better strategy, and also explain how to best take advantage of the academic update window. Hope this helps, and best of luck to you this cycle!
 
I would suggest submitting your application as soon as possible to a single school so that you can get through the verification process sooner. Your application will be 'complete' in the eyes of dental schools once you've uploaded your evaluations, old DAT score, and verified transcripts. So, if you were to submit your complete application to a school, nothing would stop them from going through it and making a decision before you were to upload your new (and improved:xf:) DAT results. With a lower end GPA and a 17AA, it's entirely possible to be deferred if said school is reviewing your app before your new DAT score appears. For that reason, I'd be hesitant to send a complete application to all 15 schools right away - just in case. This might be a misguided suggestion, but I would opt to send my application to the school I care about least so that verification can proceed ASAP without risking deferment at a top choice. Or just bite the bullet and submit shortly before your DAT is uploaded, accepting that your app won't be reviewed with the new score until August. The chances of getting interviewed/accepted with your listed stats are slim, so you're probably looking at serious considerations from most schools only in August regardless of which route you go with. Then again, it really comes down to getting that new killer DAT score, good letters/experiences, and a well written PS. Focus on the things you can control, and don't worry so much about date of submission. Someone who's been on similar grounds might be able to provide a better strategy, and also explain how to best take advantage of the academic update window. Hope this helps, and best of luck to you this cycle!

Yeah, many people said to submit a few weeks before the DAT retake so schools get everything at the same time but I wanted to submit to at least one school earlier so I can be done with transcript verification. However, people also said if you state the date you are retaking the DAT they will wait until the new one comes out to decide. I don't know how that works but I'm guessing they would hold off your app until a new DAT as they most likely would like to see an improved score also. Thank you!
 
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