Wait.. you have to take the DAT A year before applying?

[deleted585480]

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I was expecting on taking the DAT next summer and then right after that applying to dental school but I guess I should be taking it now?

 

[I want to go to there]

No, who told you that? Your original plan is good.

 

[deleted585480]

No, who told you that? Your original plan is good.

From the ADA website, "Take the DAT at least a year prior to seeking admission to dental school. This computerized test measures general academic ability, comprehension of scientific information and perceptual ability. Completion of at least one year of college level courses in biology and general and organic chemistry is recommended before taking the DAT."

 

[I want to go to there]

From the ADA website, "Take the DAT at least a year prior to seeking admission to dental school. This computerized test measures general academic ability, comprehension of scientific information and perceptual ability. Completion of at least one year of college level courses in biology and general and organic chemistry is recommended before taking the DAT."

They say that so you have plenty of time to retake if you do badly on the DAT. Whether or not to take it early is your choice.

 

[3rdgenDDS]

As in, take the DAT a year before you intend on being a matriculated student. You can take the test this cycle and apply this cycle, go on interviews in the fall, receive an acceptance in December and start school end of next summer

 

[distressstudent]

It is recommended, but not necessary.
The latest I recommend you take your DAT is 1 month AFTER application opens (this will cause your application to be considered late). You want to take it months in advance before application opens so your scores will be ready when AADSAS opens. Ideally, as a traditional applicant, you would want to spend time studying for the DAT when you're not in school (so summer)

example:
June 2015 - Study for DAT
August 2015 - Take DAT
Sep 2015 - May 2016 - Retake DAT/Do well in school
June 2016 - Submit DAT to AADSAS


As a non-trad, you're time is more flexible. However, I would still recommend taking it 4 months in advance of June 201x. To retake the DAT, you need to wait 90 days.

 

[DentalDoge]

It is recommended to do so. But there are people out there that only had to take it once and take it when the application opens.

I personally dont like taking that kind of necessary risks when I had the option of taking it a year in advance. Why put yourself at a disadvantage? Luckily I only had to take it once, but had I done poorly and needed to retake, I could.

As in, take the DAT a year before you intend on being a matriculated student. You can take the test this cycle and apply this cycle, go on interviews in the fall, receive an acceptance in December and start school end of next summer

No.

 

[dds2b219]

I took my DAT a month after applying. I got in.