When to start signing up for the DAT?

[SN1]

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I am planning on taking the DAT in the end of August 2012. Do I start filling out the application now? If this is too early then when should I start doing this? Should I obtain my dentpin, etc?

Sorry, I am NOT familiar with the process at all.

thank you.

 

[wired202808]

I am planning on taking the DAT in the end of August 2012. Do I start filling out the application now? If this is too early then when should I start doing this? Should I obtain my dentpin, etc?

Sorry, I am NOT familiar with the process at all.

thank you.

Get a DENTPIN now. Its free and takes bout a few days to week to receive. You can sign up for the DAT now if you want, but its kind of foolish to do it so early.

Because:
A. you havent started studying yet and you're not sure when you'll finish
B. Its such a long time from now that if you want to change your date later you will have to pay another $25
C. There are enough test centers and days to take the exam that there is no difference or advantage by signing up today vs. April 2012 or even May.

After you get your DENTPIN, you can sign up to get approval for the DAT (that takes almost a week as well) and then you pick your Appointment Date (test date) you can sign up to get DAT approval and then wait to pick an appointment date later, but I believe it might expire after some time and you might waste that $320.

I say wait until next year to do the process. There is no advantage or real reason to do it now, plus if you change your mind about the date later you'll have to shell out $25 later. The test is given nearly every day of every week and there are enough times and centers to get whatever you want. Even if you signed up in June 2012. Good luck 🙂

 

[SN1]

Get a DENTPIN now. Its free and takes bout a few days to week to receive. You can sign up for the DAT now if you want, but its kind of foolish to do it so early.

Because:
A. you havent started studying yet and you're not sure when you'll finish
B. Its such a long time from now that if you want to change your date later you will have to pay another $25
C. There are enough test centers and days to take the exam that there is no difference or advantage by signing up today vs. April 2012 or even May.

After you get your DENTPIN, you can sign up to get approval for the DAT (that takes almost a week as well) and then you pick your Appointment Date (test date) you can sign up to get DAT approval and then wait to pick an appointment date later, but I believe it might expire after some time and you might waste that $320.

I say wait until next year to do the process. There is no advantage or real reason to do it now, plus if you change your mind about the date later you'll have to shell out $25 later. The test is given nearly every day of every week and there are enough times and centers to get whatever you want. Even if you signed up in June 2012. Good luck 🙂

Hey I really appreciate your detailed answers and explanations. I tried signing up for the dentpin but it asked me for schools that will receive my scores. I don't even know what schools I am applying to yet Should I go ahead and pick whatever school? will I be able to change this later? I am planning on studying over the summer right after the spring semester ends and take it right before the fall semester starts.

Thank you.

 

[RalphMouth]

As long as you pick at least one school it will get sent to AADSAS and AADSAS will forward your DAT scores to each school you apply for (I applied to a school that I did not designate when I signed up for the DAT and it got sent anyway).

If you're paranoid, just pick every school since it doesn't cost you anything to do so.

 

[wired202808]

Hey I really appreciate your detailed answers and explanations. I tried signing up for the dentpin but it asked me for schools that will receive my scores. I don't even know what schools I am applying to yet Should I go ahead and pick whatever school? will I be able to change this later? I am planning on studying over the summer right after the spring semester ends and take it right before the fall semester starts.

Thank you.

Pick all the schools. the $320 you pay is the same whether you pick 1 school or 60 schools. The reason why you want to pick all the schools is simply the fact that you dont know where you will be going to. If you change your mind later and want to add a school it will cost $25 per school 🙂 thats how they get ur cash lol

So just pick all the schools now and dont freak out, it will cost the same $320 . And not a penny more.

 

[SN1]

As long as you pick at least one school it will get sent to AADSAS and AADSAS will forward your DAT scores to each school you apply for (I applied to a school that I did not designate when I signed up for the DAT and it got sent anyway).

If you're paranoid, just pick every school since it doesn't cost you anything to do so.

Ok thanks.

 

[SN1]

Pick all the schools. the $320 you pay is the same whether you pick 1 school or 60 schools. The reason why you want to pick all the schools is simply the fact that you dont know where you will be going to. If you change your mind later and want to add a school it will cost $25 per school 🙂 thats how they get ur cash lol

So just pick all the schools now and dont freak out, it will cost the same $320 . And not a penny more.

Wait. Now it asked me to pay for the $320. Should I go ahead and do this or do it later on, maybe 2-3 months before the actual test?

 

[wired202808]

Wait. Now it asked me to pay for the $320. Should I go ahead and do this or do it later on, maybe 2-3 months before the actual test?

If you pay now then the timer starts and you have to register for the DAT after a certain period of time or you lose the $$$. I think its a year or so. Read more of the details to figure that out.

Also you cant register for the DAT without a DENTPIN, so be careful there.

 

[RalphMouth]

I would do that later on since I feel like I must get my $320 worth of 1 percent interest (I want my $3) in my savings account, but if you're not living paycheck to paycheck it doesn't really matter.

Just a correction to wired's post, I should point out it doesn't actually cost $25 later on unless you specifically request a report to be sent from the ADA to them (which no one should be doing anyway). AADSAS automatically sends your DAT scores with your application with no additional fee required (you have to pay your application fee obviously though).

 

[SN1]

Thanks a lot for your help guys. I'll just register later.

 

[Msmouth]

Thanks a lot for your help guys. I'll just register later.

Helpful post, thanks!

I plan to take the DAT in August as well.

 

[Ukee]

I am planning on taking the DAT in the end of August 2012. Do I start filling out the application now? If this is too early then when should I start doing this? Should I obtain my dentpin, etc?

Sorry, I am NOT familiar with the process at all.

thank you.

Why are you not taking it until next August?? Does that mean that you're planning to start Dental School in the Fall of 2014? (2 cycles from now)

If you take the DAT next august, your scores won't be out until September and by then most Pre-Dec interviews will already be decided and applying after that means you'd have slim pickings in the 2013 (next year) cycle unless you have an off the wall GPA and DAT score...

 

[SN1]

Why are you not taking it until next August?? Does that mean that you're planning to start Dental School in the Fall of 2014? (2 cycles from now)

If you take the DAT next august, your scores won't be out until September and by then most Pre-Dec interviews will already be decided and applying after that means you'd have slim pickings in the 2013 (next year) cycle unless you have an off the wall GPA and DAT score...

Yes. I am planning to apply in 2013 for the 2014 cycle. I am a transfer student from a cc who will continue my study at a 4 year university in the spring so I am almost certain that I will be graduating in the winter(a semester late). Also I hope that by doing this I don't have to worry about studying for the DAT while working on my application.

 

[wired202808]

Why are you not taking it until next August?? Does that mean that you're planning to start Dental School in the Fall of 2014? (2 cycles from now)

If you take the DAT next august, your scores won't be out until September and by then most Pre-Dec interviews will already be decided and applying after that means you'd have slim pickings in the 2013 (next year) cycle unless you have an off the wall GPA and DAT score...

dude really where did you hear that from? I took my DAT in August and I had 5 pre december interviews. While I probably would have gotten more interviews if I took the exam earlier, it makes no sense to postpone applying just because you take the DAT late.

Again, taking the DAT in August is absolutely fine to apply for 2013.

PS I also had bout 3 post december interview invites as well 😀

 

[SN1]

dude really where did you hear that from? I took my DAT in August and I had 5 pre december interviews. While I probably would have gotten more interviews if I took the exam earlier, it makes no sense to postpone applying just because you take the DAT late.

Again, taking the DAT in August is absolutely fine to apply for 2013.

PS I also had bout 3 post december interview invites as well 😀

Yeah but the problem is that I don't even know when exactly I will be graduating

 

[Msmouth]

I was toying with taking it in July but I fear I won't be prepared and have to reschedule. Like many I'm in school full-time, but I also work and have a family. I don't have the luxury of studying 8 hour days. I certainly will be putting time aside for it but I do not want to be in the position of needing to retake. I hope I knock it out of the park the first time around.

 

[wired202808]

Yeah but the problem is that I don't even know when exactly I will be graduating

How come you dont know this?

 

[TammyDMD]

How come you dont know this?

You're nosey

 

[wired202808]

You're nosey

and your advice is useless 🙂

 

[SN1]

How come you dont know this?

I have yet to speak with an adviser at the 4 year university that I am transferring to so I don't know what classes I need to take in order to graduate, etc. However, I know for sure that they will accept 60 credits(Approx. half of graduation requirements) from my CC according so state-wide agreement.

Do you guys think 3 months is enough time to study for the DAT? I will NOT be doing anything besides studying. I really hope I can score a 20+ first time around.

thanks.

 

[MAR89]

3 months is plenty so long as you stick to a schedule ie. at least 3 hours a day. Oh, and make use of the proper resources (Chad if you need the review, CrackDAT for PAT, and the DAT and Math Destroyers). Of course this is all subjective, but those resources are the ones that worked best for me...the Destroyers in particular.

GL!

 

[SN1]

3 months is plenty so long as you stick to a schedule ie. at least 3 hours a day. Oh, and make use of the proper resources (Chad if you need the review, CrackDAT for PAT, and the DAT and Math Destroyers). Of course this is all subjective, but those resources are the ones that worked best for me...the Destroyers in particular.

GL!

I found a deal on DAT destroyer and Math Destroyer 2011 version a few months back and bought them. I think I will start buying all of the other materials (Chad's, Cliff's, CDP, etc) 1-2 months before I start studying. Thanks a lot people.

 

[wired202808]

I found a deal on DAT destroyer and Math Destroyer 2011 version a few months back and bought them. I think I will start buying all of the other materials (Chad's, Cliff's, CDP, etc) 1-2 months before I start studying. Thanks a lot people.

3 months is more than enough time but you have to put in at least 5 to 8 hours each day. Everyone is different and some people can do it in less time. However, its optimal to study your potential max each day. It can take an hour or two just to go through some Gen Chem or Orgo problems in the the Destroyer. Also try to take the exam when your completely free from other responsibilities (i.e. classes, etc.)

 

[SN1]

3 months is more than enough time but you have to put in at least 5 to 8 hours each day. Everyone is different and some people can do it in less time. However, its optimal to study your potential max each day. It can take an hour or two just to go through some Gen Chem or Orgo problems in the the Destroyer. Also try to take the exam when your completely free from other responsibilities (i.e. classes, etc.)

Yup. I am planning on taking the exam right before the fall 2012 semester classes begin. Thanks a lot!

 

[Demps]

I have yet to speak with an adviser at the 4 year university that I am transferring to so I don't know what classes I need to take in order to graduate, etc. However, I know for sure that they will accept 60 credits(Approx. half of graduation requirements) from my CC according so state-wide agreement.

Do you guys think 3 months is enough time to study for the DAT? I will NOT be doing anything besides studying. I really hope I can score a 20+ first time around.

thanks.

3 months is plenty if you have the luxury of spending those 3 months just on studying.

I spent ~3 months before taking mine. I freaked out back then but I think having taken enough science courses at a university prior to the DAT, I think 6 weeks preparation is enough.

So yeah, 3 months is definitely more than enough to get you ready.

 

[MuskieMan33]

Does graduating a semester late look bad when applying?

 

[coolbeans123]

Does graduating a semester late look bad when applying?

No one really cares when you graduate as long as you do it before you go to dental school.

 

[MuskieMan33]

Well now if I don't get any interviews I might take a semester longer. lol.😀