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- May 5, 2012
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"OMG IF I SUBMIT AT 9:35:04 PM ON JUNE 6TH AM I GOING TO BE IN THE FIRST BATCH?!"
"CAN I JUST TRY TO SUBMIT MY LETTERS/TRANSCRIPTS/ETC. EARLY?! I WANT TO BE IN THE FIRST BATCH!"
"IF I TAKE THE DAT ON JUNE 1ST AT 8 AM IN THE MORNING AND DON'T TAKE MY BREAK AFTER THE PAT SO I'M DONE WITH THE TEST BEFORE 12PM, WILL I STILL BE ABLE TO MAKE THE FIRST BATCH?!"
Sound familiar?
Since these questions seem to pop up all the time, I thought it would be good to have one CENTRAL thread that includes all of the facts and myths surrounding the "first batch." That way, when someone posts about it, just link them here and the discussion can be over.
Disclaimer: The first part of this is clearly an exaggeration, and I'm only teasing. However, when you've been on SDN for a good deal of time and have lived through the application process yourself, you realize just how much people blow the glorified "first batch" out of proportion.
First of all, when is the first batch sent out?
The application cycle opens in the beginning of June, but the first batch isn't sent out until the end of June. Thus, if you are absolutely dead-set on having your app completed by the first batch, have everything submitted by the end of the second week in June.
If I have parts of my application missing by the end of June, am I still in the first batch?
Well, theoretically, I suppose so. But it generally doesn't mean jack squat. Most schools aren't going to look at your application until everything is complete, though I have heard of schools giving out interviews to people who were still missing recommendation letters (but don't ask me which ones). So, yeah, a part of your application will be in the first batch--but a school isn't going to look until the rest of your app is sent in. It would be more accurate to say that you were in whatever batch the updates are sent with.
Does it even matter if I am in the first batch?
In all honesty, no. It doesn't matter. I can personally attest to this. So long as you are early, the batch you are in doesn't really give you much of a competitive advantage. My unofficial estimate is that anyone in batches 1-6 is on equal footing. However, I'd still aim to get it all in by August 1st... if not for anything other than peace of mind. Mid-August is still okay, but not "ideal."
Should I rush my application in order to be in the first batch?
No. Just get it in early. If you are proactive and have everything ready ahead of time, then great! Submit and be in the first batch. But if you need a bit of extra time to make your application perfect, take it.
Won't schools look at my application sooner if I'm in the first batch?
No, not necessarily. Plenty of schools seem to take their sweet time with reviewing applications, and I'm almost certain that 2 of the schools I applied to looked at applications in a pretty dang random order. Don't sweat it if you're in an early batch and other people who are in early batches but applied in "later" early batches than you are getting interviews. This happened to me and I freaked out, but with my results on December 2nd, I don't think it was because there were any issues with my application--I just think the school didn't really prioritize applications when it came to reviewing them. Just be early and it's all the same. Plus, lots of schools don't even seem to start looking until August. That's just another reason to show the first batch, in itself, doesn't really matter that much.
How long does it take AADSAS to receive/verify all of my stuff?
It can take anywhere from 2-3 weeks for DAT scores to be uploaded.
It can take anywhere from 1-2 weeks for transcripts to be received. It usually takes another 2-3 weeks for your GPAs to be verified--and this doesn't happen until after you submit.
It takes AADSAS about 1-2 weeks to add letters from Interfolio to your application.
Can I send anything early?
No, just don't. First of all, it won't make a difference. Second of all, if it gets there before the cycle opens, who knows what AADSAS would do with it. (Actually, I do know--they'll probably throw it away.) Just wait until the first day. That way, you'll have the appropriate matching forms and whatnot.
So a summary: If you have all of your stuff ready and can be in the first batch, GREAT! If you need a little bit longer, GREAT! No difference. Apply within batches 1-6 and you are early. You can certainly submit later and be fine, though... just make sure you are submitting later for a GOOD reason, like studying for a higher DAT score or something like that. And let me reiterate--if you are dead set on being in the first batch, submit by the end of the second week in June.
Everyone else--please feel free to add anything else you can think of. Also, if any current applicants have questions, just post them here instead of making new threads--having a centralized source for this can really be useful in the long run.
"CAN I JUST TRY TO SUBMIT MY LETTERS/TRANSCRIPTS/ETC. EARLY?! I WANT TO BE IN THE FIRST BATCH!"
"IF I TAKE THE DAT ON JUNE 1ST AT 8 AM IN THE MORNING AND DON'T TAKE MY BREAK AFTER THE PAT SO I'M DONE WITH THE TEST BEFORE 12PM, WILL I STILL BE ABLE TO MAKE THE FIRST BATCH?!"
Sound familiar?
Since these questions seem to pop up all the time, I thought it would be good to have one CENTRAL thread that includes all of the facts and myths surrounding the "first batch." That way, when someone posts about it, just link them here and the discussion can be over.
Disclaimer: The first part of this is clearly an exaggeration, and I'm only teasing. However, when you've been on SDN for a good deal of time and have lived through the application process yourself, you realize just how much people blow the glorified "first batch" out of proportion.
First of all, when is the first batch sent out?
The application cycle opens in the beginning of June, but the first batch isn't sent out until the end of June. Thus, if you are absolutely dead-set on having your app completed by the first batch, have everything submitted by the end of the second week in June.
If I have parts of my application missing by the end of June, am I still in the first batch?
Well, theoretically, I suppose so. But it generally doesn't mean jack squat. Most schools aren't going to look at your application until everything is complete, though I have heard of schools giving out interviews to people who were still missing recommendation letters (but don't ask me which ones). So, yeah, a part of your application will be in the first batch--but a school isn't going to look until the rest of your app is sent in. It would be more accurate to say that you were in whatever batch the updates are sent with.
Does it even matter if I am in the first batch?
In all honesty, no. It doesn't matter. I can personally attest to this. So long as you are early, the batch you are in doesn't really give you much of a competitive advantage. My unofficial estimate is that anyone in batches 1-6 is on equal footing. However, I'd still aim to get it all in by August 1st... if not for anything other than peace of mind. Mid-August is still okay, but not "ideal."
Should I rush my application in order to be in the first batch?
No. Just get it in early. If you are proactive and have everything ready ahead of time, then great! Submit and be in the first batch. But if you need a bit of extra time to make your application perfect, take it.
Won't schools look at my application sooner if I'm in the first batch?
No, not necessarily. Plenty of schools seem to take their sweet time with reviewing applications, and I'm almost certain that 2 of the schools I applied to looked at applications in a pretty dang random order. Don't sweat it if you're in an early batch and other people who are in early batches but applied in "later" early batches than you are getting interviews. This happened to me and I freaked out, but with my results on December 2nd, I don't think it was because there were any issues with my application--I just think the school didn't really prioritize applications when it came to reviewing them. Just be early and it's all the same. Plus, lots of schools don't even seem to start looking until August. That's just another reason to show the first batch, in itself, doesn't really matter that much.
How long does it take AADSAS to receive/verify all of my stuff?
It can take anywhere from 2-3 weeks for DAT scores to be uploaded.
It can take anywhere from 1-2 weeks for transcripts to be received. It usually takes another 2-3 weeks for your GPAs to be verified--and this doesn't happen until after you submit.
It takes AADSAS about 1-2 weeks to add letters from Interfolio to your application.
Can I send anything early?
No, just don't. First of all, it won't make a difference. Second of all, if it gets there before the cycle opens, who knows what AADSAS would do with it. (Actually, I do know--they'll probably throw it away.) Just wait until the first day. That way, you'll have the appropriate matching forms and whatnot.
So a summary: If you have all of your stuff ready and can be in the first batch, GREAT! If you need a little bit longer, GREAT! No difference. Apply within batches 1-6 and you are early. You can certainly submit later and be fine, though... just make sure you are submitting later for a GOOD reason, like studying for a higher DAT score or something like that. And let me reiterate--if you are dead set on being in the first batch, submit by the end of the second week in June.
Everyone else--please feel free to add anything else you can think of. Also, if any current applicants have questions, just post them here instead of making new threads--having a centralized source for this can really be useful in the long run.
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...I thought that the fact that I still don't have my application submitted means that I've already SIGNIFICANTLY reduced my chances of getting into a dental school because I'm behind all the diligent students who had send in their app already 
