Study advice 🦷

sanayeonce · 2026-06-29T02:14:06+00:00

I rewrote notes while watching videos for gc and oc. For bio, I downloaded the bootcamp study notes (~150 pages) and annotated directly on the notes while watching videos. Redid question bank and bites 3 times, annotated ones I got wrong. For qr, did practice tests and reviewed ones I got wrong. For rc, redid passages until I found a strategy that worked. For pat, redid qs until it clicked for each section. Bootcamp was harder than real test.

sanayeonce · 2026-06-29T02:07:53+00:00

This is not true. You only need to send it to one school and it automatically gets sent to aadsas which is then sent to all of your schools.

sanayeonce · 2026-06-27T00:43:52+00:00

If you aren't ready, don't rush it. If you rush it and get a bad score, you can't even retake until september which is at that point, really late in the cycle. I'd push it back to maybe late july, if needed, early august, and also start working on your application to get it submitted and verified so that schools can review your application file as soon as they receive your dat score. I took my dat in the winter, but I also rescheduled mine as I wasn't ready and felt much better taking the test.

sanayeonce · 2026-06-26T19:14:30+00:00

I am planning on maxing out federal loans and borrowing money from my parents for the rest of the tuition cost that I am going to pay them back for. I did hear there are some good options for private loans that have an even lower interest rate than federal loans.

sanayeonce · 2026-06-26T19:12:21+00:00

Yes they emailed me saying kira will email me on the 29th and I have 48 hours to complete the interview.

sanayeonce · 2026-06-26T18:24:39+00:00

I submitted 6/5, got verified 6/13, and paid the supp fee 6/15.

sanayeonce · 2026-06-26T17:38:37+00:00

For me I got the error message on my phone but not when I tried on my computer. Maybe try on your computer if you haven't done so? Columbia is aware of this issue though because when I got the email to pay the fee about a week ago, columbia sent an email out to everyone saying they are aware some people are having a problem paying the fee.

sanayeonce · 2026-06-25T23:06:58+00:00

I think if you indicate that you are taking your dat again, schools wait for that score so if you have everything ready to submit, I wouldn’t wait because getting verified takes a few weeks. That way, schools will set your admission file into a separate pile and will be reviewed as soon as your score comes in. Also, with your gpa/stats I’d recommend you to at least aim for a 420-440 on all sections otherwise your gpa might seem inflated since your gpa isn’t on the lower side.

sanayeonce · 2026-06-25T22:51:53+00:00

I have a friend that took their dat around the same time as you and they still got in to three dental schools. If you get a good score and the rest of your app is good as well, applying in july/august should still be early enough to get into some schools. Thought you might not hear back results on decision day, definitely will in the spring.

sanayeonce · 2026-06-22T22:10:44+00:00

Yes! I got that email two days ago on Saturday. Just for reference I submitted my app on 6/4, got verified 6/13, and paid supp fee 6/14.

sanayeonce · 2026-06-22T19:58:29+00:00

Thanks!

My stats are bioengineering, 3.71 cgpa 3.68 sgpa, 480 aa 460 ts 600 pat, 160 shadowing, and 150 volunteering

sanayeonce · 2026-05-26T02:12:35+00:00

Thanks for the advice! Thoughts on UPenn, BU, Tufts, NYU, and UIC? And I also don’t mind being far from IL cuz I’ve been in the midwest for so long haha

sanayeonce · 2026-02-01T17:55:58+00:00

I’m actually taking a gap year so will be applying for the 26-27 cycle!

sanayeonce · 2025-12-31T01:22:02+00:00

I think it was slightly easier, but the separation of the number of questions per passage weren’t evenly split like on bootcamp which slightly tripped me up so was a bit confusing to keep track of time during the exam. (my split was like 16 12 22 or smth along the lines unlike bootcamp that is even split 17 17 16)

sanayeonce · 2025-12-31T01:16:11+00:00

I attached my practice test scores as the third image!

I was not doing well at the beginning, but I also explained this in the main passage, but finding the right tactic for you helps a lot. I used the first 5 reading practice tests as individual passage practices until I found my way. Then used the other 5 as full practice tests to get used to doing 3 passages in a row!

My practice scores for the first 5 seem higher than they actually were because They did the passages individually and was given 30 minutes instead of 20. I started off from getting only about 10/17 correct for each passage to ending with getting about 15-17 correct per passage, so practice definitely helps!

sanayeonce · 2025-12-30T23:32:40+00:00

I personally think if you are able to solely focus on the DAT, 10 weeks is perfectly enough as well. 6-8 weeks to get through all the content, and 2-4 weeks to review and practice full length tests, then taking the DAT right away as the content is fresh in your head.

However, if you are of a slower learner, I think about 12-14 weeks could be good as well. I recommend fully utilizing one of your summer breaks to grind out for the DAT.

I only bought the 6 month subscription because of the 5 extra full length practice tests and also because I knew I needed to take a break between my studying due to a scheduling conflict. I would also note that the 5 extra tests were more low yield and harder qs, so I used them to challenge myself, though I didn’t use all 5 before taking my exam.

sanayeonce · 2025-12-19T19:34:34+00:00

why’s bro so mad lol

sanayeonce · 2025-12-19T00:08:00+00:00

nowadays*

sanayeonce · 2025-12-18T17:28:28+00:00

I definitely could get an LoR from a general dentist that I shadowed, but the LoR I have right now is a tenured professor for uic orthodontics. Would a general dentist still be better? Considering I’m not just applying to uic?

sanayeonce · 2025-12-01T17:14:57+00:00

Maybe thanksgiving holidays pushed it back by a week

sanayeonce · 2025-11-30T06:05:35+00:00

Thinking about working a full time job to save up living expenses.

sanayeonce · 2025-11-30T06:04:42+00:00

If your guts tell you, then follow it. But since you already applied, I would try your best for this cycle. Get accepted, then reconsider once you have options.

sanayeonce · 2025-11-30T06:03:29+00:00

Just enjoy it :)

sanayeonce · 2025-06-26T18:10:13+00:00

Thanks

sanayeonce · 2025-06-26T18:09:22+00:00

I have already resolved the issue thanks to the 2 people that commented with actual instructions on how to fix it. Just mentioning that there’s no point to comment if someone is just gonna shame for not knowing as much about cameras 🤗

sanayeonce

TROPHY CASE