Wait until after my June 19th DAT to finish app?

[summit30]

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Here's the deal: I am taking my DAT June 19th and will be applying this cycle. I thought it might be a good idea to wait until I see my DAT scores to determine how many schools I should I apply to to inc. my chance of admission this cycle.

But I am getting nervous that waiting until June 20th might be kind of late (considering it takes them 3-4 weeks to check my GPA).

Some stats:
My GPA: Cum: 3.88.

I've done ~160 hours of volunteering in college (~100 hrs of those were volunteering in a dental clinic setting). ~100 hours of research experience.

 

[jmh018]

Can't you add more schools later? If so, I would apply so your grades can be confirmed. Your DAT will already take two weeks to get on the app. June 19 isn't too late but if you can add more schools later, you might as well get things going now.

 

[summit30]

Interesting. I didn't know that was an option. Thanks a lot.

 

[gn4]

wouldn't it cost you more to add more schools later?

 

[Illfavor]

wouldn't it cost you more to add more schools later?

Yes, but not more than it would to add them now.

 

[Glimmer1991]

Yes, but not more than it would to add them now.

Edit: I just checked, and you can add more schools for the reduced rate of 90. You don't have to pay 240 for the first one the second time around.

This is good news. I only applied to 4 schools, and I think I'll be in the first batch. My plan is that if I don't get interview invites to those schools, I'll just add some more. I hope to hear from most of these schools mid- to late-July, so even if I added some more, I wouldn't be applying to them too late! 🙂

 

[CedarZ4]

Edit: I just checked, and you can add more schools for the reduced rate of 90. You don't have to pay 240 for the first one the second time around.

This is good news. I only applied to 4 schools, and I think I'll be in the first batch. My plan is that if I don't get interview invites to those schools, I'll just add some more. I hope to hear from most of these schools mid- to late-July, so even if I added some more, I wouldn't be applying to them too late! 🙂

Off-topic, but I thought you applied for the 2013 cycle Glimmer... or am I just delirious?

Back on topic, if it isn't already clear, it doesn't matter when you add the schools (you can even add it 5 different waves if you want to) the total fee will be the same compared to if you applied to all of them when you first submitted the app.

As Glimmer mentioned, the "first school fee" literally only applies to the first school, and the "first school" in subsequent additions are not charged this fee.

 

[Glimmer1991]

Nope! I just took my DAT a year early. Got that sucker out of the way!

 

[Hawkteeth]

GPA calc takes longer than the two weeks it takes for your DAT, I would submit now.

 

[NDPitch]

The DAT is one of the only things you can add later. If EVERYTHING else is already in order, and you're just waiting on a DAT score, for sure e-submit now to schools that you know you want to apply to. That gets the ball rolling with verifications, and schools will see that you're just waiting to take the DAT. This is what I did, and I had a successful application cycle.

 

[gn4]

Ok. I did not know that it would cost the same. Wow. I've just been waiting until after my DAT to submit my application. I guess, I can submit now, and if I do better or worse on the DAT, I'll adjust accordingly. Thanks for the info.