When should I take DAT/ Course load?

[TreyM726]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hey SDN,

I am currently a senior at the U of Memphis and majoring in Biology (minor in Chemistry). After this fall semester, I will have 16 hours left until I graduate. My current plan is to take 12 hours in the spring and finish out in the second session of summer. My schedule would be:

Spring 2015'

Neurobiology (3)
Histology with lab (4)
Genetics Lab (1)
Physics II with lab (4)

Then, as soon as I get out (Early May), study until the end of June and take the DAT/apply.

My question is, should I take a full course load like above and take the DAT/ apply at the end of June? or should I only take 6 hours in my spring (2015) semester and study for the DAT. I would take the DAT in early March if I went that route. Then, if I needed to re-take, I would have 90 days until June. I know some schools look down upon not taking a full course load. If I only took 6 hours, then I would end up graduating in the Fall of 2015'(which doesn't bother me). Also, I know that applying early june is the best time! I am not sure what path to take!
*My scholarship pays for 6 or more hours.

I just wanted to see if I am on the right path.

Thanks guys,
Trey

 

[moler]

So you want to take 12cr in the Spring, take a month off to study for the DAT's (during Summer I), then take 6cr during Summer II? I think it's a good plan. Definitely doable with the right motivation and elbow grease, but it's going to be tough to slog through everything with little to no breaks.

 

[sjv]

If you can handle the full course load while studying for the DAT then go for it, otherwise, take a reduced one. It is really up to you to determine what is best for you and if you will have sufficient studying time to obtain the score you want/need. Either plan is fine on paper, but taking a full course load doesn't do you any good if your preparation is insufficient.

 

[TreyM726]

Thanks guys. I am just worried that if I take the full course load, I will not apply early as I would like. I think 2 months should be long enough to study as well as some during the spring semester. How much of a difference would it make to apply in the beginning of June compared to end of July?

 

[moler]

I think that June and July is considered early and August is when you start to push it. But it also depends on your stats. Applying early with bad/mediocre stats isn't going improve your chances much, no matter when you apply. IMO, applying early helps A LOT if you're borderline. If you have extremely good stats, you can afford to apply a little later, but definitely by August if you want the best chances at snagging those pre-Dec interviews.

 

[CleverThought]

My thoughts when scheduling my DAT was to take it with enough time for a retake so that I can apply early with my new score.

I would, and usually do, recommend studying for it over winter break and taking it right before spring classes begin.

I only studied for my DAT for 2 weeks and overall it went well. I wish I would have studied QR more, but I felt that lower score didn't warrant a retake.

Just my two cents.

 

[TreyM726]

Yeah, I thought about that! I get out of my fall semester Dec. 12 then start spring semester on January 16. That would give me a full month, but I am not sure that would be enough time. See if I took a light load in the spring then took it in March, that would give me three months, which would be plenty enough time I would think. I asked the dean of admissions at UTHSC Memphis (where I hope to go) if not being full time matters that much. His response was to focus on my DAT, what ever it takes (taking a light semester). If thats the case, I would not graduate until Fall of 2014 which would not affect me!

 

[strawberr]

Thanks guys. I am just worried that if I take the full course load, I will not apply early as I would like. I think 2 months should be long enough to study as well as some during the spring semester. How much of a difference would it make to apply in the beginning of June compared to end of July?

you just need to apply in june and then let your DAT scores come in later. I applied in June, wrote the DAT July 5th, submitted all of my supplemental applications by July 15thish and I have 10 interviews right now. I also studied from early May until July 4th just like you want to do (early May to June I believe you said) so you will be completely fine.

 

[TreyM726]

you just need to apply in june and then let your DAT scores come in later. I applied in June, wrote the DAT July 5th, submitted all of my supplemental applications by July 15thish and I have 10 interviews right now. I also studied from early May until July 4th just like you want to do (early May to June I believe you said) so you will be completely fine.

Sweet. Thank you! The thing is that I thought you had to have your DAT scores before you apply. I guess it just depends on the school?

 

[morning92]

I think that June and July is considered early and August is when you start to push it

I'm going to echo this statement. I applied at the tail end of July, but my AADSAS mail-out date wasn't until the first week of August. I have four interviews, but one is post-December, and I very much regret not getting my application out sooner. If possible, apply in June. It'll make your life much less stressful.

For the DAT, I'd recommend taking it over winter break. You shouldn't need much time to study for it if you really buckle down (I only studied for about a month and was very unmotivated while doing so). Buy the Kaplan blue book and read it cover to cover a few times. For the organic chemistry section, you're going to want to study an actual text book. My recommendation is Organic Chemistry by Janice Smith, which is a fantastic and easy to understand book. You can rent it at: http://www.amazon.com/Organic-Chemistry-Janice-Smith/dp/0077354729. You might also want to invest in a better version of the PAT questions, as the actual DAT's PAT section was much harder than the blue book offered.

 

[strawberr]

Sweet. Thank you! The thing is that I thought you had to have your DAT scores before you apply. I guess it just depends on the school?

They won't look at your application until your scores are there. But it all gets processed much faster if you at least apply first then submit your scores. As opposed to waiting till you finish your DAT to submit your application.

 

[Dr.PetesAFDDS]

I took a full course load this past spring, got out the first week of May then studied until I took my DAT June 7th. Also was taking 6 credits during the summer, so I would say giving yourself from early May to late June will give you plenty of time, just make sure your app is completed June/early July.

 

[TreyM726]

I took a full course load this past spring, got out the first week of May then studied until I took my DAT June 7th. Also was taking 6 credits during the summer, so I would say giving yourself from early May to late June will give you plenty of time, just make sure your app is completed June/early July.

Yeah, I think the beginning of May till the end of June should be plenty enough time. Ill work on my application throughout the spring semester as well so it should work out! It'll be a busy 2 months thats for sure. Thank you!

 

[ktran17]

Light course load plus study for dat ! Your end goal is to make yourself a more competitive applicant and nothing can be Better than increasing your dat score. It's pretty safe to say that your theoretical dat score with a light course load would be higher than with a heavy one. Even if that difference is 1 AA .

Just move some of your courses to fall, because even if you graduate by spring 14 you will have a gap year doing nothing. You can work during fall 14 and do any traveling or vacation type activities spring 15

 

[songwenhu]

Thanks guys. I am just worried that if I take the full course load,