what classes to save for
after the dat
Here, though, you get to take a breath of relaxing air and get some insight into the classes that are not necessarily required for the DAT!
biochemistry
Of course, this is everyone's least favorite subject. I did not take biochemistry until the summer before dental school (so, I had already been accepted with the binding contract that I had to take the course before matriculating). I did not at all find it on the DAT. Many schools will require it before beginning classes, but I chose to forgo it since I did not want it to affect my GPA and I wanted plenty of time to study the material that I knew would be on it.
That said, here are my biochemistry notes if you're in the market for them!
That said, here are my biochemistry notes if you're in the market for them!
Elective biology courses
While these are fantastic course to venture into (I graduated with a B.S. in Biology), they are unfortunately not on the DAT. Embryology will be, but things like cancer biology, epidemiology, histology, and avian biology will not specifically be asked about. The only section I think they might help with is the critical reasoning section. In that regard, being familiar with the subject presented to you would be helpful, but outside knowledge is not required to perform well on this section.
What classes to save until
after graduation?
(Or at least until after applying to schools...)
Honestly, any difficult classes that will not be required for the DAT. Although a dental school might require a class like, oh let's say Biochemistry, they will only require that you take it before you matriculate. Personally, I understood that Biochemistry and Human Anatomy would be difficult classes that might lower my GPA, so I elected to apply to schools without completing the courses. That way, I could take them the summer before school started, and all I had to do was pass. Although painful to spend your last "freedom summer" in a classroom, I was the most prepared person in my Biochemistry class because I had only taken it roughly 5 weeks before school started.
Bottom line: Be smart about what classes to take for the DAT, which are required for the dental school applications, and which ones you can take at the last minute.
Bottom line: Be smart about what classes to take for the DAT, which are required for the dental school applications, and which ones you can take at the last minute.
Starting to think you'll hold off on Human Anatomy or Biochemistry until the summer before school? Go ahead and download The Biochemistry Outline and the Human Anatomy and Physiology Outline!