What does it mean to submit an application early? + tips on when to take DAT

[manifesto]

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So I'm hoping to apply for the upcoming cycle. I know the application opens in June. I have prepared everything possible except my DAT which I want to take in early August. Can I submit my application before my DAT scores are sent? Does this make my application still considered "early"?

I am also toying with the idea of taking the DAT in April so I can retake it if needed. My current schedule is very easy even though I am taking the max amount of units so my GPA will get a boost. If I were to take the DAT in April, I would need to drop one class for my sanity. I would probably drop my non-science class so I can still increase my science GPA, but my overall GPA would be increasing less. I would also be down a letter of rec because that professor likes me and seems to write good recs. By the way, the class is under the BIO dept but the class (qual. research methodology) is not considered BCP or other science. What would you guys do?

 

[y3nd0]

You can submit your application before you take your DAT, but schools won't look at your application until they receive your DAT scores. So no, submitting your application before taking the DAT in August does not make your application "early".

Taking your DAT in early August means your scores will be processed and sent to the schools in 3 weeks time, which means your application will be complete in early September, which is not considered to be early.

That really seems like a dilemma you have there. It's a hard choice, but I'd personally take the DAT in August. If you stick with your schedule now, (you seem very confident that) you'd get an overall GPA boost plus a really good letter. Having your application complete in September isn't the end of the world as many people have done it and are perfectly fine. As for taking it in April just in case you need a retake... just try not to think about that and just do really well the first time so a retake won't be necessary.

 

[Sagittarius612]

Just expect most of your interviews to be post Dec interviews with a retake in mid August. It takes 3 weeks for scores to get to AADSAS, another week for AADSAS to update schools and the schools take minimum 4-6 weeks to review your file.

 

[mts2801]

Are April or August your only choices? What about taking it mid-July? That will give you enough time after school to study and then your app should be complete by early August.

 

[NMC2010]

I'm with mts. Why can't you take it at the end of June/beginning of July? That would give you 5-6 weeks to study = enough time if you put in 5-8 hrs/day, and still be able to have your file in by the end of July/beginning of August.

 

[Jerm174]

What can Canadian students do about this? We write our DAT either November or February.

 

[Faux]

Also gotta take into account that biology section is changing in early 2014.

 

[sjv]

What can Canadian students do about this? We write our DAT either November or February.

Apply for the following cycle since those dates are too late OR take the American DAT (assuming you're applying to American schools, don't know anything about Canadian schools).

 

[arlmay]

I took my DAT on July 27 this cycle after sending in my app in early July. Never had a problem getting an interview with my 21 and got accepted on Dec 2nd. I would early August at the latest but don't mess up cause there's no second chance in that scenario

 

[lr2014]

Here is what you can do: as soon as the application opens have everything ready (i.e. essay, letters of rec, extracurriculars, etc) and send the transcript/rec letters to AADSAS, submit the application to ONE school so they can verify your GPA asap as soon as the transcripts arrive, take the DAT and according to how well you do add more schools to the application. That way the only thing holding you back will be the DAT scores processing and you will save money in case you don't do well on the DAT because you didn't add all the schools at once. That's how I did it and it worked pretty well, by August I was getting interviews.