When should I take DAT?

[bprior]

I am in my junior year and plan on applying next June. I plan on studying as much as possible with KBB, Cliffs, Chad's, CDP, and Destroyer. I would like to have my DAT done by mid-June so I can apply and have everything in early. However, I feel like it would be hard to study for the DAT while I am in classes. What are your thoughts?

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[tayloreve]

I am in my junior year and plan on applying next June. I plan on studying as much as possible with KBB, Cliffs, Chad's, CDP, and Destroyer. I would like to have my DAT done by mid-June so I can apply and have everything in early. However, I feel like it would be hard to study for the DAT while I am in classes. What are your thoughts?

I thought the same thing..which is why I'm taking my DAT the summer before I go into my Junior year....

It can be done though, I've seen many people on here do it.. I'd just take a light load in the Spring and study for it then.

 

[bprior]

I know I wish I would have thought about it sooner and took it over the summer.

 

[lol105]

Well try to do it before you start on your app, since doing both can be a little stressful.

 

[HawkJ2010]

I have the same question for some of you folks. I'm more of a nontraditional route... I am currently in my "Senior" year as I could graduate with my B.S. in Psychology in May 2012 but after a recent change of interest I will be completing my pre-dent requirements for the next two years. Which I believe leaves me no choice but to take the DAT in the Spring Semester of 2013. Making me eligible for Fall 2014 if my math is right? Looks like I'll be having one lonnggggg glide year.

Thanks.

 

[Dusk]

yes you can totally do it while taking classes. Just plan your classes, take an easy load. You can even do summer school to finish grad requirements.

Or you can always take it the summer after your junior year and have a gap year like me!!!

sarcasm aside, I should have taken it during my junior year, but I chose to pursue dentistry a little late, and still didn't have my letters of recs ready etc, so I'm taking dat in 2 weeks and applying next cycle (I'm a senior now). I was super opposed to taking a year off (as my dad always said, "Time is money!!"), but I'm liking the idea. Gonna travel and do all sorts of stuff b4 ds.

 

[bprior]

I like the lighter load idea, but wouldn't that look bad on my application considering dental schools like to see a heavy course load?

 

[crax]

I like the lighter load idea, but wouldn't that look bad on my application considering dental schools like to see a heavy course load?

i don't think it's too big a deal TBH.

 

[crmdental]

I tell everyone to take the DAT about a month after taking OChem. If you have the fresh knowledge of Ochem you only have to study GChem, Math and Biology. Truthfully if you finished OChem you took GChem and most likely finished your Bio series. I suggest right after the semester of OChem is over, you don't leave for summer break. Go in the library, set a date for your test for a month away. Buy Chad's G.Chem and QR. Buy the Kaplan Blue book you have heard so much about. And buy both DAT and Math Destroyer. If you come to a topic in KBB that you don't know, Wikipedia it. Make notecards, rewrite anything that helps you to memorize and understand the information you are learning. Be diligent, don't slack off that month and you will be ready to take it. It was my biggest mistake by not taking my DAT until 2 years after finishing Ochem and I don't want anyone to have to go through what I went through to study. Good luck!

 

[Dusk]

I like the lighter load idea, but wouldn't that look bad on my application considering dental schools like to see a heavy course load?

it doesn't matter. high GPA/DAT > courseload period. do what you have to do to get good scores.

 

[BayAreaDDS]

I am in my junior year and plan on applying next June. I plan on studying as much as possible with KBB, Cliffs, Chad's, CDP, and Destroyer. I would like to have my DAT done by mid-June so I can apply and have everything in early. However, I feel like it would be hard to study for the DAT while I am in classes. What are your thoughts?

I'm in the same boat, but like tayloreve, I took my test during first week of school to get it out of the way. Personally, I wouldn't be able to study during the year just because of the countless exams that come up. What I suggest is doing some light studying during the semester/quarter (2-3 hours a day) then during X-mas break, really dedicate a lot of time to the test (8 hours a day). Try to take it within the first couple weeks you get back from "vacation". I know a few people that devoted their entire winter breaks to studying, and it worked out for them. Good luck!