When to take DATs

[jorasic]

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I'm planning on studying for the DATs this summer and want to take them and have them sent to the schools in time for the first round of acceptances on Dec.1. I plan to start light studying tomorrow, but I end school june 11 and that's when i will be going full speed. When's the latest I can take it and still be considered in the first pool of acceptanes on dec 1st? Anyone know? Thaaaanks!

I'm thinking I should give myself 2 months at least? Is mid August too late?

 

[Ryltar]

You do not want to apply that late. The optimal time to apply is during June, and preferably early June, as many schools start rolling admissions around July, and your chances of acceptance are quite a bit less.

 

[marscole]

I would say... this is a little bit late... not big deal!!!

I have some friends who turned in their applications around Aug. and Sept and got admitted. Also, FYI, they have 21-23 in their DAT scores!!!

I think the DAT scores will make the different if you've decided to turn in around mid-Aug.

 

[Matt2010]

From what I understand (from talking to the dental schools I am interested in) you should still apply in June, and then fax your unofficial DAT scores as soon as you take it.

 

[jorasic]

Thanks Matt for answering my question kinda.
To the others, thanks for trying to help. But I never said I'm turning in my app in aug. Everyone should turn in their app June 1 regardless of if they took DATs or not. I just plan to send in my DATs later.
And its rolling only AFTER the dec 1 acceptances.

So my question again is,
Does anyone know whens the latest I can take DATs to be still considered in the Dec1 round of acceptances? (Not asking if its late or early)

 

[doc3232]

Don't take it till your ready. You won't know when you are ready till about 2 weeks before you are taking it. Postpone rather than have to retake. But at the same time don't take it in November if you have other options.

 

[jorasic]

If you postpone, how soon can I take it after? Do the scheduling for DAT fill up as fast as MCAT test schduling?
Thanks everyone for the help! 🙂

 

[Matt2010]

The schedule for the DAT does not fill up as quickly as the MCAT, simply because the MCAT has set test days where the DAT is offered nearly 3-4 days out of every week (except during blackout).
Concerning the postpone question, I'm not sure what you are asking but I think you meant "how long after I take the exam can I take it again"?? In that case, 90 days. So the later you wait to take the exam, the longer it will be before the schools receive your official scores, which is not a big deal unless it is after the interviewing process begins, in which case you will not be considered until after the first round of acceptances. Hope that helps!

 

[jorasic]

What I meant was, if I schedule a date to write DATs and for some reason I feel like i need 2 more weeks, can i cancel the appointment and schedule it in 2 weeks? Or will spots be full and I'd have to wait a bit longer. Basically, how much time in advacned must I schedule a date before taking the DAT?

Thanks for the help man! I just decided pre-dent this summer and I could use all the help I can get!

 

[Matt2010]

I'm not sure exactly how many weeks out you can wait, but my friend just moved his a week before he was supposed to take it. He pushed it up about three weeks. It costs $25 to do so. He wanted to take the DAT on a Sat, which was full, but Sunday was not, so he is taking it the day after he wanted to. That's the cool part about the DAT, you can pretty much take it any day you want. Bad part about it is that while you are taking it, someone next to you might be taking a different type of test (one that requires a lot of typing for instance); this can be very annoying (excuse my rant). Good luck!

 

[jorasic]

Dang! You answered it perfectly! Finally, after all those posts, lol. thanks Matt! Good luck with your future as well.