Taking the DAT in the midst of pre reqs

[Lethstang]

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All,

Im starting my pre reqs from the ground up starting in January, and Ill complete them by xmas. I read everywhere that Dec 1 is the deadline for most dental schools.

Looks like Ill be taking the DAT then in early july/augustto try and make the deadline. Am I cutting it too close? Assume a science 3.5 gpa and a respectable DAT.

Also, Ill be at the end of organic 1? Will this hurt my DAT? (IE is it heavy in o-2?)

will look a lil something like this

spring 10

chem 1
chem2
bio 1
phys 1

summer 10

organic 1
bio 2
phys 2
biochem

apply to dental school here (julyish). this will be for fall of '11

take dat at the end of semester, july/aug
fall 10

organic 2
psych
genetics
micro bio



Thanks in advance,

Steve

 

[sfrice80]

Im sure its different at every school and even with every professor but at my school, Organic second semester is always a lot harder then first semester but if you do well in the first semester, chances are you will do well in the second semester too. Good luck though, sounds like you got your work cut out for you!

 

[Lethstang]

sfrice,

what im asking is, since ill be in the middle of organic 2 while im taking the dat (o 2 during the fall semester, and taking dat in like oct), will that hurt my dat score since I wont truly know the 0-2 material thoroughly.

appreciate the quick response! this place is fantastic.

 

[sfrice80]

Hmmmmm......Thats a good question....I would say if you do really well and study thoroughly semester 1 of organic and you study really hard on that section for the DAT and you are currently taking it when you take your DAT, I would think you will be okay. I would just say make sure you get a really good base down in the first semester. Make sure you study like crazy for that section too cuz organic is a really important score. Overall, I think you'll be okay, with those stipulations.

 

[wantVCUdental]

sfrice is right that we won't know how quick your courses progress, the best thing to do is after you finsih some of your courses, take a look at the DAT material and gage yourself to see if you are ready. No one knows what's in your chem 1 chem 2 curriculum.
good luck

 

[sketo43]

I just want to say that I think your schedule will be tough - not that you can't do it - just that it will take up pretty much all your time. In my postbac, I took 3 lab classes at once (12 credits) and it was harder than when I took 18 credits of liberal arts classes in undergrad. I didn't have time for much else besides class. But I did really well in those classes. I think if I took 4 lab classes at once, my grades would have suffered.

I think it may be beneficial to take the classes at a slower pace. There are 2 benefits: (1) with a lighter course load, it should be easier to get A's in your classes while also having time for volunteer work, and (2) if you apply the next year, you can submit your application in June or July, which will improve your chances vs applying in Oct/Nov. I realize that the downside to my suggestion is that you would start dental school a year later. Ultimately it's up to you, both options are possibilities, but I would at least consider the slower paced path. If your school has a pre-dental or pre-health advisor, talk to him about your course load and schedule.

Also, there are some schools that have deadlines before Dec 1 (UCSF comes to mind), so don't just assume that the deadline for every school is Dec 1. Good luck!

 

[sketo43]

As for ochem and the DAT, the DAT covered the first semester and a half of my ochem classes. But different schools cover different material. If you've covered aromatic reactions, carbonyl reactions, and enol reactions by the time you take the DAT, I think you'll be fine for ochem.

 

[Lethstang]

excellent advice sketo.

since im taking chem 1 over again just to refresh, i think ill just skip the lab.

Anyone advise against this?

 

[Tommy43087]

I took the DAT without ochem 2.....the portion of the DAT where you need ochem 2 is pretty much the memorization of reactions so if you have a good foundation in ochem 1, you will gain most of what you need to know for ochem 2 from your prep materials...

Good Luck

 

[Predoctalk]

I took the DAT while I was taking Ochem 2.IMO, I owe my 24 in Ochem to the Kaplan book. The bottom line is that most curriculums will go way more in depth than the DAT ever will. My organic professor had a Ph.D in organic chem from Yale and needless to say he was really into it. Lol, half the time I thought he was making stuff up when he lectured (jk). But seriously I don't think not having ochem 2 completed at the time you take the DAT will hinder you. Good luck

 

[subdoc]

Lethstang...

Do what you feel comfortable with. Bottom line, if you're only going to be a student, 4 classes w/ labs really isn't that big of a deal and would actually mirror a tough course load like DS. By taking 4 classes in Spring, you will also get a good idea on your retention and ability to study/take the DAT in the fall when your courseload is roughly similar.

Every situation is dependent on the individual. Do what you're comfortable with.

Personally, (based on a truncated timeline) I took the DAT prior to taking Bio and OChem (which I am taking now.) I wanted to be in the 2010 app cycle.

I think you'll do fine, and the extra practice of recently being in an intense courseload will actually HELP you on your test!

Best of luck!

 

[Lethstang]

after a bit of research, ive decided to take the four lab classes at once. Ive read dental schools look at course load. I figure I need to nail this spring semester, since Ill be in the midst of prereqs during the dat during the summer (IE , ill only have one semester of science for them to judge me on once i apply).