When to apply/take dat/etc....?

[mynameistino]

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Hi,
Next year will be my junior year and i am wondering what month/date is the best to start
1) applying through AADAS
2) Take Kaplan preparation corse
3) take DAT
4) ASK FOR LOR
5) And is it a good idea to take summer classes during that time?

Thank you for your help

 

[carpedm]

It seems like most people have a different time table for everything, but I think it's safe to say that you definitely want to have your application submitted by June 1st.
When to take the DAT... It seems that everyone has their own agenda. I wanted enough time to study after school got out, but at the same time have my DAT scores arrive at the school about the same time as my app. (DAT scores only take a couple of weeks to get there, while app, takes AT LEAST a month). So I took my DAT in mid-June. I would suggest that you don't wait any later than early July to take the DAT, but that's just my thoughts. I don't think I would take any classes while your preparing for the DAT, unless it's a class that doesn't require much. I was spending about 8-12 hours per day studying for the DAT and there is no way I would've had time for that and a class.
As far as Kaplan goes, I have no idea when would be the best time to take it.
LOR's - I started asking teachers in early February (if I had a good relationship with them). I think this was good because by the time April rolled around, they were getting slammed with letter writing. Besides, it also shows them that your responsible and plan ahead.
Those are my thoughts....

 

[tinman831]

Hi,
Next year will be my junior year and i am wondering what month/date is the best to start
1) applying through AADAS
2) Take Kaplan preparation corse
3) take DAT
4) ASK FOR LOR
5) And is it a good idea to take summer classes during that time?

Thank you for your help

1) People normally apply during the end of their JR year (the application comes out in May).

2) It's good to take this course just before you take the DAT. Whether or not you actually need this course is up to you.

3) You can take this test any time your ready. School's won't look at your application until your scores are submitted. Since it takes AADSAS around 2 months to mail out your application from the time you submit it, and it takes the ADA 3 weeks to mail out your scores, ideally you can plan it so that you take the DAT a month after you submit your application and both your app and scores will arrive at schools at about the same time.

4) It normally takes profs about a month to write a letter. So ideally your LORs should arrive at AADSAS at the same time you are ready to submit the application. This way AADSAS will include your LORs when they mail out your application. However, if your LORs don't get there when you submit, AADSAS will mail out your application without your LORs and then mail out your LORs as they arrive at their office.

5) If you are good at time management, it would be okay to take a summer class during the same time you apply/take the DAT. I was a TA for a class at the same time I was studying for the DAT and applying. Although I didn't have very good time management skills. 🙁