When to Apply

[Ranelar]

---

Members don't see this ad.

So, I want to apply for Fall 2009. I was planning on taking the DAT this May so that I can have my score by the time my applications get sent out (which is ASAP after I get access to the application on May 15th). However, I'm currently working full time in a research lab, and I will be the principal author on a paper we are going to try to publish. It might not be submitted until June however, and I want to be able to say that I have submitted a paper vs I am planning to submit a paper, because I think the difference is substantial. It would be even better to be able to say that it's in review or has been accepted.

The question is, how long should I be willing to hold off submitting my application to dental school? Most places seem to give out interviews in September or October, does that mean that they don't really meet and review applications until Aug/Sep? Or is there really an advantage to getting it out ASAP in May (ie they really DO look at applications as they come in)? Anyone have actual knowledge about what goes on, vs the dogma that early = better always? My PI seems to think that there's no concrete reason to get the application out in May since they don't hand out interviews until Fall, but I've just heard so many people say to get it out early (although, without much fact-based reasoning behind the statement). Thanks!

Btw, I'm no shoe in for acceptance to dental school. I have a 3.3 GPA, 3.2 science (microbio, UCLA), and I'm HOPING to get a 20 on the DAT, so I need any advantage I can get in terms of extras like research experience.

 

[ummjoey]

i think there is a similar thread..........but i cant find it.

i say apply early. i dont think it is substantial to say submitted a paper vs i am planning to submit a paper.

i think some schools might start looking at applications around july. therefore you should submit june, since AADSAS says they take up to 4 weeks to verify your transcripts. i heard some may even take longer than 4 weeks.

i liked to apply early because i was scared something was going to get me messed up or something was going to hold my application back.

i planned to submit in may but i didnt submit until june 5th.........im just saying stuff happens that you did not plan for.

 

[Ranelar]

It takes something like 3-4 weeks for DAT scores to get to the schools right? So if I took it June 2nd and submitted my application around that time as well, things would approximately line up?

 

[ummjoey]

It takes something like 3-4 weeks for DAT scores to get to the schools right? So if I took it June 2nd and submitted my application around that time as well, things would approximately line up?

you dont send your DATs to AADSAS. you send them to each school individually. you can apply for them to be sent on the ADA website. just google DAT and it should be the first link.

i am not sure if it takes that long.......it actually doesnt matter how long it takes..........

however, i am a little confused about when exactly to send DAT scores. i took my DATs 09/29/06 and i picked 5 schools to send them to. then when i was applying around 05/15/07 i called the 5 schools i picked on 09/29/06 and they said they have my scores.

therefore, i think you guys can send you DATs anytime. you can send them even now? can someone else comment on this?

edit: fixed grammar error

 

[Ranelar]

you dont send your DATs to AADSAS. you send them to each school individually. you can apply for them to be sent on the ADA website. just google DAT and it should be the first link.

i am not sure if it takes that long.......it actually doesnt matter how long it takes..........

however, i am a little confused about when exactly to send DAT scores. i took my DATs 09/29/06 and i picked 5 schools to send them to. then when i was applying around 05/15/07 i called the 5 schools i picked on 09/29/06 and they said they have my scores.

therefore, i think you guys can send you DATs anytime. you can send them even now? can someone else comment on this?

edit: fixed grammar error

Yea, I was writing under the assumption that as soon as you finish the DAT, it's out of your hands and they send the scores to the schools you designated automatically. But I hear schools won't look at an application without a DAT score, so I wanted to make sure that my scores would arrive approximately the same time (or earlier) as my application from AADSAS.

 

[blankguy]

The DAT will the quickest thing to get to the schools. Get your application sent as soon as possible. The DAT you can send a little later when you take it since it doesn't take as much time to get to the schools.

 

[Simply_Unique]

The DAT will the quickest thing to get to the schools. Get your application sent as soon as possible. The DAT you can send a little later when you take it since it doesn't take as much time to get to the schools.

Ok...so if I apply to some of my planned dental schools (one school's application I won't be able to send until July and another app. won't be available until September) around May/early June and take my DAT in late June/early July, it would be okay? Would the other dental schools review my app. by then & would not having the DAT submitted at the same time as the AADSAS app. cause problems?

 

[ummjoey]

Ok...so if I apply to some of my planned dental schools (one school's application I won't be able to send until July and another app. won't be available until September) around May/early June and take my DAT in late June/early July, it would be okay? Would the other dental schools review my app. by then & would not having the DAT submitted at the same time as the AADSAS app. cause problems?

this is pretty common. a lot of people send their AADSAS then take their DATs. if you send your AADSAS june 1st and take the DATs july 1st your applications and DATs should arrive at the school at the same time.

AADSAS takes about 4 weeks to verify your transcripts.

dental schools will not review your application until it is complete.

i dont get why you cant send one school's application until july and other until september. i didnt get this part. AADSAS sends your application to all the dental schools at the same time.

 

[Simply_Unique]

i dont get why you cant send one school's application until july and other until september. i didnt get this part. AADSAS sends your application to all the dental schools at the same time.

I'm applying to my state school in MS and the earliest date I can apply is July 1st. The other is LSU and the earliest date I can apply there is after September 1st (?). I don't understand it either, especially for LSU, but I do know that these schools don't participate in AADSAS.

 

[ummjoey]

I'm applying to my state school in MS and the earliest date I can apply is July 1st. The other is LSU and the earliest date I can apply there is after September 1st (?). I don't understand it either, especially for LSU, but I do know that these schools don't participate in AADSAS.

interesting.......i did not know that.

 

[Ree123]

how late is too late to apply? i was planning on taking the dat in early august because i still have to take orgo 2 over the summer and i also wanted to do the kaplan prep course, which ends on 7/31. if i have my aadsas application done and submitted by the end of june and then the dat scores sent in august, will that be too late? how bad will it hurt my chances of getting accepted?

 

[TheWiredNerv]

how late is too late to apply? i was planning on taking the dat in early august because i still have to take orgo 2 over the summer and i also wanted to do the kaplan prep course, which ends on 7/31. if i have my aadsas application done and submitted by the end of june and then the dat scores sent in august, will that be too late? how bad will it hurt my chances of getting accepted?

I did the same thing and got plenty of interviews before December 1st and plenty of acceptances. Just make sure you get everything else in before you take your DAT.

 

[Almaz]

Hey everyone. I think I'm in a scarry position in regards to my dat and application process. I hope to send my application with the LOR's and so on within the first week of opening. Then I have to write the DAT in November becuase I am a Canadian applicant. Does any one know if there is even hope for an interview at any school with my DAT being that late in the game? Would that make my application Incomplete or how does it work with regards that the Canadian DAT is only offered twice a year (Nov/Feb)?

Thanks

Almaz

 

[Ranelar]

Hey everyone. I think I'm in a scarry position in regards to my dat and application process. I hope to send my application with the LOR's and so on within the first week of opening. Then I have to write the DAT in November becuase I am a Canadian applicant. Does any one know if there is even hope for an interview at any school with my DAT being that late in the game? Would that make my application Incomplete or how does it work with regards that the Canadian DAT is only offered twice a year (Nov/Feb)?

Thanks

Almaz

Roadtrip?

 

[Amalgam4U]

I vote apply June 1st. For sure. I think it makes a difference.

I didn't apply until Aug, thinking that I would be OK since first interviews are usually in the fall near mid October. But I didn't get any interviews until February. And by that time, half the seats are already taken.

But then, I don't know. That was just my experience.

 

[Amalgam4U]

oh and another thing to consider is that some schools have secondary apps. on which you can put your recent accomplishments.

And then after that, you have your interview where you can expound on all your EC's.

I think the hard part about getting into dental school is getting an interview. Applying as early as possible is advantageous because

1) Higher probability that you get an interview at all. First come first serve?

2) Admission post interview may be a little easier since there's no pressure on the adcom's due to overly limited spaces. (In terms of economics, greater supply of seats to be given)

I think this offsets any marginal gains that can be made by any 1 accomplishment. Again, they're looking at you as an individual. Not just a published researcher. (FYI They weren't that impressed with my second author, but then again it could be because I'm second author. They were more interested in the research itself and my part in it)

 

[Ranelar]

oh and another thing to consider is that some schools have secondary apps. on which you can put your recent accomplishments.

And then after that, you have your interview where you can expound on all your EC's.

I think the hard part about getting into dental school is getting an interview. Applying as early as possible is advantageous because

1) Higher probability that you get an interview at all. First come first serve?

2) Admission post interview may be a little easier since there's no pressure on the adcom's due to overly limited spaces. (In terms of economics, greater supply of seats to be given)

I think this offsets any marginal gains that can be made by any 1 accomplishment. Again, they're looking at you as an individual. Not just a published researcher. (FYI They weren't that impressed with my second author, but then again it could be because I'm second author. They were more interested in the research itself and my part in it)

Good point about secondary applications, I didn't really consider that. I just want get the paper submitted and possibly published by the time I turn in my application because it might be that extra bit that gets me an interview.

 

[hanzotheclown]

I wouldn't really sweat it, I applied late december and got a lot of intereviews and acceptances. So there is still hope. However keep in mind every application cycle is different. You aren't screwed but you aren't making it easy on yourself if you apply late. I had a lot of people tell me there was no chance of getting a single interview... turns out i got more acceptances than them. Just be comfortable wiht the risk you are taking

Hey everyone. I think I'm in a scarry position in regards to my dat and application process. I hope to send my application with the LOR's and so on within the first week of opening. Then I have to write the DAT in November becuase I am a Canadian applicant. Does any one know if there is even hope for an interview at any school with my DAT being that late in the game? Would that make my application Incomplete or how does it work with regards that the Canadian DAT is only offered twice a year (Nov/Feb)?

Thanks

Almaz