When's the best time?

[asdfray]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi everybody!

I'm a post-bach and currently more than halfway done with my prerequisites - after this semester, all that's left is orgo 1 and 2, which I've decided to take in fall 2011 and spring 2012. 😳

Ok so I was contemplating when's the best time to take the DAT if I want to submit my application as early as possible in june for the 2013 cycle? I was kind of thinking maybe early may 2012? I mean, I wish I can get more studying time, but it seems that I would be studying for my DAT during the same semester I take orgo 2. 😱 Hopefully that turns out well. Is there any time after June, where I take the DAT and not cause a delay in my application? I definitely as much time to study as possible. Thanks for the feedback in advance! 😀

Also, for those who have taken the DAT, can you tell me the orgo section is? Many thanks,

Best Regards,
Ray

 

[Kahr]

To have it in the earliest possible, you'll need to take the DAT by mid-May at the latest. It's more important that you prepare adequately for the exam than get it done earlier, as having your application complete by as late as early August will still be good; a better DAT score later is well better than a bad DAT score earlier or worse, facing a retake... or even worse, a re-application next cycle😉

Taking orgo 2 will essentially take much of the burden off of studying for that section of the DAT, so you can work on some other stuff, just don't neglect your classes for DAT prep, you'll want the best grades possible, especially in your sciences.

Take a look at this thread, it asked a similar question to your own:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=798078
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=798075

Regarding orgo on the DAT, you need to take a look at the ADA's DAT guide, where it lists what is included on ochem; you could also search the DAT forum for more information:

http://www.ada.org/sections/educationAndCareers/pdfs/dat_examinee_guide.pdf

 

[asdfray]

To have it in the earliest possible, you'll need to take the DAT by mid-May at the latest. It's more important that you prepare adequately for the exam than get it done earlier, as having your application complete by as late as early August will still be good; a better DAT score later is well better than a bad DAT score earlier or worse, facing a retake... or even worse, a re-application next cycle😉

Taking orgo 2 will essentially take much of the burden off of studying for that section of the DAT, so you can work on some other stuff, just don't neglect your classes for DAT prep, you'll want the best grades possible, especially in your sciences.

Take a look at this thread, it asked a similar question to your own:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=798078
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=798075

Regarding orgo on the DAT, you need to take a look at the ADA's DAT guide, where it lists what is included on ochem; you could also search the DAT forum for more information:

http://www.ada.org/sections/educationAndCareers/pdfs/dat_examinee_guide.pdf

Thanks for the feedback Kahr,
The reason I want to submit my application at June is because I keep reading about how submitting your application too late, will really hurt your chances, even with great stats. I don't mind handing in my application later, but I just need to know when I should submit everything before it's considered late. So when's the latest one can submit their application without this happening? Is it really the beginning of august? I would assume july right?

What if I submit my application first then take the DAT after, around mid or end of june? Will that be too late? I'm going to prepare all the paper work starting the fall, including the LOR and such.

I'm still very new at this and sorry for the questions.

 

[Kahr]

Thanks for the feedback Kahr,
The reason I want to submit my application at June is because I keep reading about how submitting your application too late, will really hurt your chances, even with great stats. I don't mind handing in my application later, but I just need to know when I should submit everything before it's considered late. So when's the latest one can submit their application without this happening? Is it really the beginning of august? I would assume july right? I know how you feel, but I honestly don't know exactly how long you can wait before it really hurts you in any appreciable way. I'm sure someone else will give you some feedback on that issue.

What if I submit my application first then take the DAT after, around mid or end of june? Will that be too late? I'm going to prepare all the paper work starting the fall, including the LOR and such. Absolutely submit your application as soon as applications open in June along with your transcripts and LORs, do not wait on the DAT for that part.

I'm still very new at this and sorry for the questions.

Don't apologize, most everyone has similar questions, and it is a daunting process fraught with confusion and hurdles willy-nilly. The whole point of SDN pre-dental forum is to answer these exact questions and help people that are in fact, pre-dents. 😉

 

[asdfray]

Don't apologize, most everyone has similar questions, and it is a daunting process fraught with confusion and hurdles willy-nilly. The whole point of SDN pre-dental forum is to answer these exact questions and help people that are in fact, pre-dents. 😉

ty!

What if I submit my application first then take the DAT after, around mid or end of june? Will that be too late? I'm going to prepare all the paper work starting the fall, including the LOR and such. Absolutely submit your application as soon as applications open in June along with your transcripts and LORs, do not wait on the DAT for that part. <-- since I never done this before.. how do I go about doing this? on the application, is there a option that indicates that I will submit my scores later on? Also, when I take my DAT, does it automatically send my score to the AADSAS and update my application?

All this is so confusing 🙄

 

[Kahr]

ty!

What if I submit my application first then take the DAT after, around mid or end of june? Will that be too late? I'm going to prepare all the paper work starting the fall, including the LOR and such. Absolutely submit your application as soon as applications open in June along with your transcripts and LORs, do not wait on the DAT for that part. <-- since I never done this before.. how do I go about doing this? on the application, is there a option that indicates that I will submit my scores later on? Also, when I take my DAT, does it automatically send my score to the AADSAS and update my application?

All this is so confusing 🙄

You create your application here: https://portal.aadsasweb.org/
You need to get a DENTPIN, which you can do at the above link I believe as well; you'll need it for both the DAT and the application process. When you take the DAT your scores are automatically sent to the ADA for 3-4 weeks of verification, then sent in a weekly batch to the ADEA for applications; just make sure that when you apply for the DAT you select all the possible schools you might apply to, this avoids any future charges on your part for sending out additional scores. (this process is easy, and obvious when doing the application. Yes, it will automatically update on your application once it has gone through the above process. I don't exactly know how it works when filling out the application, I assume you can simply say you haven't taken the DAT yet, hopefully someone else can confirm this.

 

[Jamesmarton]

Taking orgo 2 will essentially take much of the burden off of studying for that section of the DAT, so you can work on some other stuff, just don't neglect your classes for DAT prep, you'll want the best grades possible, especially in your sciences.

 

[seattlesun]

In the application there is a space to write the date of your expected DAT as well as planned prereqs for future quarter.

Also for your peace of mind since you have some questions about timing:

I took my DAT in early July, after the submission of my application. This way I was able to get the application rolling, and by the time my transcripts were verified, the DAT was received by AADSAS also, just in time for mailing.

Since I took the DAT in early July, I was able to dedicate a few weeks to prepare for it after the Spring finals. I studied for 3 weeks, but I recommend 4 weeks, so you can pace yourself and have some fun days too.