Will I be able to apply this June?

[MTBer]

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Hello everyone. I would really like to apply to Dental schools this year but am not sure If I can or not and I need some advice.

This is my first semester at CSU Chico. I am a 5 year Navy Veteran and have shadowed Navy Dentists for over 100 hours. I have an LOR from the Navy Captain of the Dental clinic and have an in for the HPSP scholarship because the Captain also does the interviews. I currently have a 3.9 GPA

Right now I need 1 semester of Gen Chem and 2 of ORG. My plan is as follows: Take the Gen chem course this semester, in between the spring semseter and summer semester break take the DAT, then take Org Chem1 summer semester and finish Org chem 2 in the fall while going to interviews if I can.

I know it's rough to take the DAT before taking any Org chem, but I have been studying khan academy and other online resources. If this plan of mine is possible then I will buy Dat destroyer and the recommended materials this semester in order to be ready for the DAT during the break.

What do you think? Is it possible for me to squeeze in an application this June or do I need to have ORG Chem 2 done before I can even apply? If it's the latter then I won't even try to rush it, and instead submit a more thorough application for June 2014 and not stress about taking the DAT before Org Chem. Thank you everyone in advance.

 

[teethfordays]

Given that you have a strong GPA, I would still apply this June. Interviews are still granted to those who haven't completed prereqs, which in your case would be ochem 1/2. However, I would advise against taking the DAT prior to taking ochem 1/2 unless you really feel confident in the material. Another thing to keep in mind is that you can submit your app before taking the DAT like on June 1, but in most cases your app will not be looked at until your DAT is in, placing you in a "later" batch.

tl;dr Apply this June, and get your DAT done ASAP

 

[Longcatislong]

Hello everyone. I would really like to apply to Dental schools this year but am not sure If I can or not and I need some advice.

This is my first semester at CSU Chico. I am a 5 year Navy Veteran and have shadowed Navy Dentists for over 100 hours. I have an LOR from the Navy Captain of the Dental clinic and have an in for the HPSP scholarship because the Captain also does the interviews. I currently have a 3.9 GPA

Right now I need 1 semester of Gen Chem and 2 of ORG. My plan is as follows: Take the Gen chem course this semester, in between the spring semseter and summer semester break take the DAT, then take Org Chem1 summer semester and finish Org chem 2 in the fall while going to interviews if I can.

I know it's rough to take the DAT before taking any Org chem, but I have been studying khan academy and other online resources. If this plan of mine is possible then I will buy Dat destroyer and the recommended materials this semester in order to be ready for the DAT during the break.

What do you think? Is it possible for me to squeeze in an application this June or do I need to have ORG Chem 2 done before I can even apply? If it's the latter then I won't even try to rush it, and instead submit a more thorough application for June 2014 and not stress about taking the DAT before Org Chem. Thank you everyone in advance.

Idk about taking the DAT without at least one semester of Ochem...It would be pretty hard to teach all that to yourself. But you know yourself better that anyone else, if you think you can do it then by all means go for it!

 

[MTBer]

So it is possible? Nice! I am a Bio major and have taken and gotten A's in the Anatomy and Physio sequence, hardest class I've ever taken btw, and there was quite a bit of biochem in this course, so I know that if I want something badly, which I do in this case, I can make it happen. It would be really bad of me to underestimate the situation I'm getting myself into by taking the DAT this summer right after a full load of courses, so I will study my arse off and hopefully do well. What day exactly do applications open in June? The break in between classes is MAY 25th to June 10th, so I don't have much time in between breaks to study and take the DAT and apply.

Okay then, I'll order up all the study materials I need ie Dat and math dstroyer, CDP, Chads vids etc.. and take a hard stab at the DAT this summer.

 

[teethfordays]

It was some time in the first week of June last year, not so sure what the exact date is this year but it will probably be within the first week as well. The earlier your app is ready, the better. Also make sure your LORs are ready to go, cuz that can also set you back if they're not in on time. It sounds like you know what you're doing though. Best of luck!

 

[predent12]

If you can do the DAT without taking Org Chem, then you are amazing! Holy cow!

If you take a practice exam though and feel like it's not going well, consider taking Org Chem over the summer (at least the first semester) and taking the DAT after that.

I did a post-bacc and didn't take the DAT until July 18 and was fine (not considered late or anything.) I submitted everything in June and then they were just waiting on my score. So, maybe consider that. Some schools will even let you fax your score report (you get it right there) until they get the official thing.

I honestly feel that it would be in your interest to get a better DAT score and submit your DAT in August than to get a bad DAT score and submit early.

Best of luck!

 

[jmh018]

Definitely use Chad's Videos for Ochem since you haven't taken it yet. It is basically a slimmed down version of the class and covers everything on the DAT. That should really help

Good luck!

 

[sacapuntas]

You can take the DAT w/out O-chem first. I did it and know a few others that have done it as well. It was my highest section on the DAT because I invested so heavily in it. It also made getting A's in ochem very easy.

Basic recipe I used:

O-Chem as a second language first and second semester topics (This was my starting point)
Chad's Videos + all quizes
DAT Destroyer
Tons of flash cards
Insane amount of repetitions

I watched Chad's o-chem videos 3 or 4 times and did DAT destroyer 3-4 times.

Good luck to you and feel free to PM me any time for advice on doing the DAT w/out O-chem.

 

[MTBer]

So it sounds like I have 2 options. Bust my butt and take the DAT before O-Chem in the summer and be in on the early cycle, or take the DAT after the summer semester of O-Chem and get in on the later cycle.

The hard part is finding time to study this semester for the DAT while taking Calculus, Organism evolutionary bio, and the Gen chem 2.

I'll be buying all the materials for the DAT this week. For studying I'm buying DAT and Math destroyer, Chads vids, CDP, and maybe Kaplan Blue book?

If I study super hard during the week, M-F, for my classes at Chico, then I have weekends for the DAT up until the finals in May. After finals, study for 1 1/2 weeks all day everyday until DAT time. In the mean time trying to get together a good application and necessary LOR's BEFORE I take the DAT so that it's ready to go when I get my DAT results.

Sounds like a plan, looks stressful though 🙁. Oh well.

 

[MTBer]

I've started my application process for this summer and have opened an interfolio account where I can store all of my LOR's in one place so that they are ready for June.

I know I have to get transcripts into the application and was wondering if I will have enough time to get this semesters grades, meaning the classes I'm taking now that wont end until May 25th, into the system for the 1st batch of the cycle. It's cutting it super close, everything is in my situation.

Also, one thing I didn't mention is the summer O-chem course has to be at Butte college, the CC here in Chico, because CSU Chico won't offer it this summer. But, O-chem 2 will be at CSU Chico in the fall. Does having the one semester at the CC look bad on the application?

 

[doc toothache]

Is there a fire on the ship that requires you to find new quarters in ds?

 

[Member902507]

I've started my application process for this summer and have opened an interfolio account where I can store all of my LOR's in one place so that they are ready for June.

I know I have to get transcripts into the application and was wondering if I will have enough time to get this semesters grades, meaning the classes I'm taking now that wont end until May 25th, into the system for the 1st batch of the cycle. It's cutting it super close, everything is in my situation.

Also, one thing I didn't mention is the summer O-chem course has to be at Butte college, the CC here in Chico, because CSU Chico won't offer it this summer. But, O-chem 2 will be at CSU Chico in the fall. Does having the one semester at the CC look bad on the application?

Hey,

For transcripts, you'll need to get the transcript matching form from your AADSAS portal so you can only do that the day the portal opens. For the current cycle, I believe it was June 4, 2012, so I'm not sure what the date will be for the upcoming cycle, but it'll be something close to then. My univ took 3 weeks to process the grades for spring semester, and there's a box that you can probably check off on your transcript request form for your school to wait until spring grades are in, and then to submit the transcripts. You should be okay with that, and if you're really worried, just do a rush order on the transcripts or have them send it via overnight mail or something so AADSAS will get it. Luckily for you, they don't MAIL OUT batches until 3 weeks after or something. My application went out in the second batch, which was July 6th.

So, if I were in your position this is what I would do:

1) Take current classes and study for DAT in between them. I did that last year, and I used the DAT as a break between my other classes, and it actually kind of became enjoyable...I'd see the other classes as a waste of my time, then I'd think oh good, I'm spending my time well by studying for the DAT.

2) Use all the resources you can for that test, and knock it outta the park once and for all. Chad's is great. DAT QVault for bio. Topscore for everything (has 3 tests that most closely resemble the actual DAT). Ohhhh, for OChem, memorize the DAT Destroyer roadmaps!!! Those are awesome! I only memorized 2 of them and that in itself helped a lot, and I think there's a total of 9. They really help lay out the reaction pathways nicely. So look at that when you're starting out on your material, so it'll be ingrained in you by the time the test comes.

3) I'd aim to take the DAT in early-to-mid-July, because I don't believe that's considered late, and it'll give you a solid 1.5 months to study your "arse" off to do really well.

4) Take OChem 2 at Chico in the fall, forget about it at Butte CC over summer (IMO). I don't think the CC looks bad, I just think you should continue the series where you started them. Anddd university-level looks better than CC level. Also, I think it's more important to get in earlier on the cycle. The schools will get your grades eventually by the Academic Update anyways if it's that important to them, and hopefully your grades are good enough for it to not matter that Ochem 2 wasn't in.

5) Get working on your personal statement now, when you have time. I found it most enjoyable to work on that during my other classes (better than wasting time on SDN of Facebook, haha), just so you have that ready to go and aren't scrambling for that at the end either.

I had something else to say, but I forgot. Good luck though, you can definitely do it!! 👍

 

[MTBer]

4) Take OChem 2 at Chico in the fall, forget about it at Butte CC over summer (IMO). I don't think the CC looks bad, I just think you should continue the series where you started them. Anddd university-level looks better than CC level. 👍

I can't just skip to O-chem 2 in the fall if I haven't taken O-chem 1 yet, which is why I was going to take it in the summer so that I could take O-chem 2 in the fall at Chico.

I've got everything that I need to study for the DAT picked out I just don't have the money for it all yet, it's something like $400. In the mean time I've been watching Khanacademy and the free bio courses at chad's website.

You think I need topscore on top of Dat and Math destroyer, KBB, Crack dat Pat, and chads?

 

[MTBer]

Is there a fire on the ship that requires you to find new quarters in ds?

Well I'm trying to get accepted into Schools this year because the Dentist I shadowed does the interview for the HPSP and he is a Captain, meaning he retires any year now, so he's my "in" with the scholarship that I would love to get to continue my Navy career. I got out in 2010, so that I could get my degree and come back in as an officer. It's been my plan since the beginning of my enlistment.

 

[Member902507]

I can't just skip to O-chem 2 in the fall if I haven't taken O-chem 1 yet, which is why I was going to take it in the summer so that I could take O-chem 2 in the fall at Chico.

I've got everything that I need to study for the DAT picked out I just don't have the money for it all yet, it's something like $400. In the mean time I've been watching Khanacademy and the free bio courses at chad's website.

You think I need topscore on top of Dat and Math destroyer, KBB, Crack dat Pat, and chads?

Oh my bad, I thought you would have had Ochem 1 done by then, sorry! Well then, why not take Ochem 1 in the summer and take the DAT during the same time? At least they'll go kind of hand-in-hand too. (Plus, you'll have a professor to answer any OChem questions you don't understand ;-))

How worried are you about math? Because I didn't use math destroyer at all. I actually used to tutor high school freshmen and sophomores so that's what I mainly used to study for math. I think Topscore is the best representation of the actual DAT. I believe that's for $55. Chad's for OChem & GChem is like $90 for 3 months. DAT Destroyer is like $150? KBB, I don't know. CDP I had bought the whole bundle a couple years ago (but I wouldn't recommend that). Topscore will also cover your RC portion, too.

In my studying, every so often I'd use Topscore kind of as a benchmark exam. There's 3 of them, so I had them spread out so I could see how I'd actually score on the DAT. That's why I think it'd be useful, but obviously you have to be the judge of how much can you spend on all the materials and what materials you feel will be more important for you. Oh also, I used DAT Achiever, too. It was much harder than everything else, but it taught me a lot at the same time. Once again, I think it has full-length tests.

Make sure you take a lot of full-length exams, and you go over and review each question. That helped me more than anything. Good luck man

 

[MTBer]

Honestly I'm not that worried about math. They were my easier classes and I feel blessed to have understood it so easily. I mainly wanted the Math destroyer for the test portion of it, but if top score does the same thing I'll opt for it because it's cheaper.

As far as review and study materials go, I was going to get Chads QR, GC, and OC videos, the KBB for biology and something for the PAT I was thinking CDP, but KBB has a pat portion with it, maybe it's enough?

For test simulations and to put all the content I have learned to practical use I was going to get DAT destroyer and Math destroyer for the questions and just keep taking those tests until I know the material. I'll take a look at DAT achiever and Topscore also.

 

[Member902507]

Honestly I'm not that worried about math. They were my easier classes and I feel blessed to have understood it so easily. I mainly wanted the Math destroyer for the test portion of it, but if top score does the same thing I'll opt for it because it's cheaper.

As far as review and study materials go, I was going to get Chads QR, GC, and OC videos, the KBB for biology and something for the PAT I was thinking CDP, but KBB has a pat portion with it, maybe it's enough?

For test simulations and to put all the content I have learned to practical use I was going to get DAT destroyer and Math destroyer for the questions and just keep taking those tests until I know the material. I'll take a look at DAT achiever and Topscore also.

PAT portion of KBB was useless, in my opinion. Get CDP for that for sure. Also, are the DAT destroyer questions online? I thought they weren't. Make sure you practice with computer-based exams (it was actually different than a written exam) because you can't write on that paper. Try to get a hold of Kaplan white board and use that whenever you study. That's essentially what you'll have during the real DAT so you might as well start using that now. For bio, definitely look into QVault. I think it was pretty reasonably priced, too. And Topscore gives you 3 tests, so you'll have 3 full-length math sections in that. But you woulda seen Chad's videos, so those should be helping you out, too. I did CDP's math tests, and was scoring really well on those (facade). I got 25's on those because they were all the same, and I got a 20 on the real one. I hadn't anticipated so much Geometry...so hopefully you're good at that!

 

[MTBer]

So looks like things might not be going as I had planned. I'm having a hard time getting into my Gen chem 2 course this semester, I'm wait listed, and if I don't take it this semester then I can't to O chem in the summer and Ochem 2 this fall. This means I can't apply this year right?

Other than that though the studying has been going well. I'm on track to take the DAT this summer between the break from semesters. I've used Chads for Gen Chem and O chem and he is awesome. I'm half way done with O chem, just got through the alkene and benzene reactions which was pretty rough trying to learn all those for the first time, but If I can't get into this course I'm thinking all of this studying will be wasted.

Is it still possible to apply without taking O chem? I'm assuming I'll be able to take Ochem 1 during fall now and Ochem 2 during next years spring semester. I know with my other situation the grades would be pending because I was actually in the course, but now it sounds like I won't be. Should I just apply next year or is it still possible for this year?

 

[Msmouth]

Does your school offer Ochem in the summer? 8 weeks Orgo I & II, then study the rest of the summer for DAT? Just a thought

Oh sorry, just read your other post. If you have a particular school in mind, maybe just call them about the CC credit just for Orgo.

 

[MTBer]

chico state doesnt offer ochem during the summer, but the CC might. Either way I cant take ochem until I meet the prereq which is this semsters gen chem, the one I cant get into. Should I even keep trying to get an application ready for this June or is it not possible? Im really really bummed because I spent all break studying for the dat so that I can apply this year. Sigh...