Which is a better time to take the DAT?

[deleted452047]

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I'm currently a sophomore in organic chemistry 2 this semester, and I'm trying to plan classes for the next year and when to take the DAT.

So my current plan is taking both summer sessions, one for genetics and one for cell bio, and during the year, I would take physics and bio major associated classes. Summer school would last until the end of July, so I doubt I'd have time to study and take the DAT before the Fall 2013 semester starts. With this schedule, I'd plan to take the DAT in mid-January, and I'd be pushed for time to study during winter break.

On the other hand, I could drop all my summer school plans just study and take the DAT at the start of August. This way, organic chemistry will be one semester fresher in my mind, and I will have a good amount of time to prepare for the DAT, but it could potentially make future semesters difficult to keep my GPA up by having to load up on multiple bio classes.

Another possible option is taking just the first summer session, which would give me from June 18 to August 18 to study and take the DAT. Probably more reasonable than dropping both summer classes.

Are there any concerns I should have about taking the DAT this early? Possibly having to retake the DAT if I don't get in the 1st or even the 2nd time?

 

[FeralisExtremum]

If I could go back in time, I would have taken it immediately after my sophmore year, during the summer. Your pre-health science courses will be freshest in your mind (chem, orgo, bio) and that is really the focus of the exam. The further out you go from those courses, the more review (and eventually, re-learning) you will have to do for the exam.

 

[Dent22519]

I also would take your DAT this summer if possible. I took the DAT almost a year after I graduated college and I basically had to relearn everything. If you're really that concerned about your gpa, I would take the first summer session and concentrate on those classes. 2 months should be enough to study for the DAT. You just have to be really committed to it. Good luck!

 

[deleted452047]

If I could go back in time, I would have taken it immediately after my sophmore year, during the summer. Your pre-health science courses will be freshest in your mind (chem, orgo, bio) and that is really the focus of the exam. The further out you go from those courses, the more review (and eventually, re-learning) you will have to do for the exam.

I also would take your DAT this summer if possible. I took the DAT almost a year after I graduated college and I basically had to relearn everything. If you're really that concerned about your gpa, I would take the first summer session and concentrate on those classes. 2 months should be enough to study for the DAT. You just have to be really committed to it. Good luck!

I'll going to the Advising Department and check out what'll happen to my schedule if I plan on taking it this summer.

But suppose I take it this summer and I apply the following summer and don't get in. Will it expire and require a re-take by then?