When should I apply?

Started by i4everpaki
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i4everpaki

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Hey whatsup SDN members?
I need your advice with applying to schools. I am in my third year and I would like to apply in summer for 2011 cycle. I also plan to take my DATs in the summer. My advisor was telling me to apply in June and take my DATs in July. Is that the right way to go? I am afraid, what if I don't do well on my DATs. Hope from your knowledge, experience, and wisdom I can learn what I should do. Thank you
 
Hey whatsup SDN members?
I need your advice with applying to schools. I am in my third year and I would like to apply in summer for 2011 cycle. I also plan to take my DATs in the summer. My advisor was telling me to apply in June and take my DATs in July. Is that the right way to go? I am afraid, what if I don't do well on my DATs. Hope from your knowledge, experience, and wisdom I can learn what I should do. Thank you

That's probably the way to do it if you have the GPA and EC's to be competitive. As for your DAT, that an understandable concern. Schedule it in July and start studying in May after finals. That will be plenty of time. Make sure to study smart and use all the right materials. If you do poorly or not what you want, you can take it again in November and they will continue to review your file until your new scores come in (you just have to let them know).
 
I think your advisor gave you a good schedule. My advice: work on your personal statement and request LOEs now, so you have everything ready by June. Some professors can take forever with LOEs - try to get some of them before the summer.

No matter when you submit the application or take the DAT, there's the risk of doing poorly on the test. But submitting your application early improves your chances. I recommend submitting your application in June (or as close to June as possible) regardless of when you take the DAT
 
Thank you for your help. How many schools should I apply to. I am NY resident.

Apply to schools you want to attend and believe have a chance of getting into. Some people apply to 15-20 b/c they think it increases their chances of getting in. Not the case. They end up getting denied from half the schools b/c they never honestly had a chance of getting in. If you are confident that you are competitive then apply to 8-10. And research those 8-10 and make sure they are good schools for you. Don't waste your money on random schools.
 
Ya thx, I was thinking of applying to 20 schools but I will do my research and apply to school that I think I have a chance at. One more question,like I said I am NY resident and I am able to residency for NJ. Going that way is a better choice since UMDNJ favors ISS. Can I apply as both NY and NJ resident?
 
You can't apply as a resident of both. Maybe a current resident of nj or NY can comment further and which residency is advantageous. It sounds like nj might be
 
applying as early as possible is the best way to go.

understandably, you want to take enough time to study for the DAT and do well.
But i would caution against waiting until July to take it. If you have everything in by the June, you have a tremendously higher chance of getting an interview than if you had your apps completed in, let's say, August.

for example, i applied in September, and though i have decent scores n such, i'm definitely at a disadvantage to all of those who applied prudently --> they are the ones currently receiving acceptances. in some circumstances, classes will be over 75% full by the first round of acceptances (December 1st), so your odds go way down the longer you wait.
 
applying as early as possible is the best way to go.

understandably, you want to take enough time to study for the DAT and do well.
But i would caution against waiting until July to take it. If you have everything in by the June, you have a tremendously higher chance of getting an interview than if you had your apps completed in, let's say, August.

for example, i applied in September, and though i have decent scores n such, i'm definitely at a disadvantage to all of those who applied prudently --> they are the ones currently receiving acceptances. in some circumstances, classes will be over 75% full by the first round of acceptances (December 1st), so your odds go way down the longer you wait.

damet garm, you stated it well
 
I think your advisor gave you a good schedule. My advice: work on your personal statement and request LOEs now, so you have everything ready by June. Some professors can take forever with LOEs - try to get some of them before the summer.

No matter when you submit the application or take the DAT, there's the risk of doing poorly on the test. But submitting your application early improves your chances. I recommend submitting your application in June (or as close to June as possible) regardless of when you take the DAT

I'm sorry I have a q'n about LOE's. I thought you can't get it earlier cause you have to print out a special form for LOE from ADASAS website before asking for LOE. I was thinking to do the same but that form that will only be available June 1st kind of stopped me. Any info would be helpful. Thanks