I am in second year and have just decided that I want to go to dental school. I don't have any prerequisites right now so I am planning to take bio and chem this summer (won't have taken org chem). I want to write the DAT this summer but I won't have taken org chem by then and bio and chem may be rushed. I could take the DAT next summer(third year summer) but I know I will have to apply late if I do that which would be a disadvantage. Should I write the DAT this summer or next?
Taking the DAT without taking chem or bio?
- Thread starter tunkure
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I say definitely wait. I think that organic would be very tough to grasp without having taken any organic chem classes. That material is tough for many people who have taken the classes! Don't put yourself at an unnecessary disadvantage. Taking the DAT is expensive and you don't want to take it twice if you don't have to (waste of time, money, and extra stress).
The most important thing for you right now is to ace your prereqs. I would definitely not risk taking multiple prereqs and simultaneously studying for the DAT. Spend the summer going crazy in your classes and make a good relationship with a professor (try to get a letter of rec). If you feel comfortable and have extra time, maybe add in some volunteering/research/shadowing.
Your application won't be late just by taking the DAT during the summer you apply. Even if you take it at the very end of summer, a 2nd batch application with a strong DAT and good prereq grades >>> 1st batch with so-so DAT and botched prereqs.
The most important thing for you right now is to ace your prereqs. I would definitely not risk taking multiple prereqs and simultaneously studying for the DAT. Spend the summer going crazy in your classes and make a good relationship with a professor (try to get a letter of rec). If you feel comfortable and have extra time, maybe add in some volunteering/research/shadowing.
Your application won't be late just by taking the DAT during the summer you apply. Even if you take it at the very end of summer, a 2nd batch application with a strong DAT and good prereq grades >>> 1st batch with so-so DAT and botched prereqs.
S
schmoob
I would not recommend doing this.
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No.
1. The DAT will cover Bio and Gen chem both 1 & 2 ( at least gen chem). You'd be hurting yourself by studying for it.
2. No OChem and no background to even understand it if you taught yourself = disaster.
Take the classes in the summer. Do amazing. Take Ochem 1&2. Take DAT in May-June. I took mine end of June. No problem here! It'll work out. It really is a marathon and not a race!
1. The DAT will cover Bio and Gen chem both 1 & 2 ( at least gen chem). You'd be hurting yourself by studying for it.
2. No OChem and no background to even understand it if you taught yourself = disaster.
Take the classes in the summer. Do amazing. Take Ochem 1&2. Take DAT in May-June. I took mine end of June. No problem here! It'll work out. It really is a marathon and not a race!
Is it possible ? Yes.
I know someone who wrote the MCAT (which is alot harder) and somehow managed a half decent score without taking any science pre reqs.
However, this individual had to put in SO much extra effort, and even then as much as I respect his abilities I think alot of it came down to luck as well.
I would personally wait until you have at least taken (and have a good foundation ) in general chemistry and first semester organic chemistry. OCHEM 2 is a bonus, and would certainly help. However, I found the OCHEM on the DAT manageable despite not ever taking OCHEM 2. Your mileage may vary depending on your test version though.|
best of luck! as someone above mentioned, don't feel compelled to rush, as this isn't a race 🙂
I know someone who wrote the MCAT (which is alot harder) and somehow managed a half decent score without taking any science pre reqs.
However, this individual had to put in SO much extra effort, and even then as much as I respect his abilities I think alot of it came down to luck as well.
I would personally wait until you have at least taken (and have a good foundation ) in general chemistry and first semester organic chemistry. OCHEM 2 is a bonus, and would certainly help. However, I found the OCHEM on the DAT manageable despite not ever taking OCHEM 2. Your mileage may vary depending on your test version though.|
best of luck! as someone above mentioned, don't feel compelled to rush, as this isn't a race 🙂
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Better to submit your DAT scores late next summer (you can submit the rest of your application without the DAT scores) than try to take the test without any foundation in bio/chem this summer - that would make the test a lot harder than it needs to be. If you study throughout May and June (2018) and take the test early July, your application won't even be that late - although I'm not sure when your classes end.
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Advised? No. Is it possible? Yes, if you took AP Bio and Orgo 1+2 in high school like I did. Remember the DAT is multiple choice without any open ended questions. So you have a good chance to do average on the DAT. In hind sight, I would have taken the DAT freshmen year and easily got a 20 AA. Definitely not impossibruuuuu.
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Sounds like a great idea! /s
Hey OP it obviously isn't recommended but I do believe it is possible... depends on each individual though. Do you believe you're dedicated enough and have the ability to memorize/grasp material that you've never been exposed to before? I took the DAT after not having coursework for 5-6 years. I had completely forgotten everything and had to reteach myself every subject. I really had no choice but to learn it all on my own since my work schedule doesn't allow me to take coursework, including night classes. If I was you, I would just take the classes and make your life A LOT easier. You have plenty of time so do good in the classes, make friends with the professors for LOR's, and then nail the DAT. If you're stubborn.... Chad's videos supported with YouTube and lots of googling will allow you to get a good general chem foundation. For o-chem, I started out by going through organic chem as a second language I & II. I then did Chad's o-chem videos and after that I felt like I had a good foundation. You can get biology down by memorizing everything in Cliff's AP Biology 3rd Edition. Chad's videos for math are also good. Once you've done all of this, start DAT Destroyer, Math Destroyer, Feralis bio notes, and DAT Bootcamp for the PAT. Save the full length tests for your final month. Like I said though, take the classes and save yourself a ton of stress and the high chance that you'll have to retake
D
deleted632307
I highly recommend that you take the DAT asap. Reach for the stars! Nothing is impossible!
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How about you take practice DAT exams and study on your own and if you are doing well--and scoring well-- then go ahead and take the real thing?
Pretty straight-forward.
Pretty straight-forward.
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Damn he called OP a crook...
Hey guys thanks for all the responses. I guess I felt a sense of urgency because I am Canadian and the Canadian DAT is only offered twice a year in Nov and Feb so the latest one that I could take is Feb 2018 to start applying June 2018 for the 2019 cycle. I would be writing the Canadian DAT which has no OCHEM or math. Right now my plan is to take Bio 1 and 2 this summer as well as general chem 1. Does this change anyones responses/opinions?
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Can you do it? Sure. Should you do it? No.
