When should I take DAT and apply?

[gongson]

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Hi everyone. I'm asking for your advice.
I graduated with a B.S. in biology in 2007.
After graduating, I worked with the family business.
I was planning to work toward dental school upon graduation, however, certain issues held me back, and this year, I am determined to apply.

Currently, I am volunteering at a homeless dental clinic once a week, and I've also volunteered some months last year also. I am preparing for the DAT.

I wanted a word of advice. My overall grade point average is close to 3.1 and my science grade point average is higher than that, but lower than 3.5. I feel pressured that I need to ace the DAT in order to stand a chance amongst the many competitive applicants. I was wondering what the best thing to do would be. Do you think taking the DAT either late July or early August and then retaking it three months later is a good idea? For someone like me who has a low grade point average, would I stand a better chance to apply early or later on during the cycle?

I sort of assumed that all of the competitive applicants will confidently send their applications early, and that my application might not stand a chance. I don't know if it is a naive thought, but maybe applying later in the cycle would give be a better chance?

I don't know if I'm being ignorant, but can anyone give me a word of advice on what would be the best thing to do?
I'm studying for the DAT right now, but I feel so pressured that I never seem to feel ready for the test. Would it be best to take it once and send the application in as early as I can get it ready? Or would it be better to wait until I finish retaking the exam the second time?

Your replies will be considered a life saver!! Thanks to all of you for your time.

 

[4thMolar]

I would definitely apply as early as possible. Do not wait until later in the cycle to apply...there is no benefit to that. Dental schools work on a rolling admissions process, so the earlier you apply, the more seats are available. If you wait until later to apply, there will be more applicants, meaning more competition, meaning less chance of you landing an interview or acceptance.

Also, have you signed up for the DAT yet? You seem to have a mindset that you will have to take it twice, and that is definitely not the way to think. Study for about another month or so and use all the resources that have been mentioned in this forum. Study efficiently and you should be able to pull off a decent score. So, get your application in ASAP and take the DAT and do well on each section, and you will have a shot at some schools.

 

[vet8240]

I'm sort of in the same shoes as you are. I graduated with BA in 2006 and took me a couple years to complete the pre-dental classes. I have about 3.1 GPA as well. Now I'm ready to apply for the 2010 cycle and in the midst of preparing for DAT.

I was very overwhelmed with all the materials that I needed to study for DAT, and I was orginially signed up for early August to take my first one, but it looks like I need to postpone my schedule to give myself some time to be more prepared.

That said, I would still be applying no later than early August and even though my score won't be coming until either late august or early september. I'm not sure how good my chances are, but I feel like it's better to apply now than wait.

Good luck.