Is the DAT hard? Also, is dental school very hard or is it the work load?

Answer 1

I was the president of my high school honor society. I got into the Univeristy of Pennsylvania for college. I got into the Univeristy of Pennsylvania for dental school. I am only telling you this so that you know I was a decent student. Dental school was the first time I had to ACTUALLY study and work to keep up. You have an 8 to 5 day, every day, and then you go home to study.

Dental school treats different students differently. My experience was at least 98% positive, but some would tell you otherwise. I found that the best way to survive the rite of passage through dental school, which is still sort of a "Good Old Boy" network, is to just study and know your stuff. If you do NOT know your stuff, do not try to bluff your way through. Just say that you don't know the answer or need some help with the technique and you will find most instructors are interested in helping. Many instructors are part-time faculty with private practices in the real world. Nobody is forcing them to teach and they like to work with students who do not have a bad attitude and are ready to learn. There is more than one means to an end and students have to understand that they should not argue with an instructor who likes some different technique.

It's not as difficult as the life of a surgical resident or anything, but dental school was the hardest school I attended. The class day was scheduled from 8 to 5 with an hour for lunch. I needed to spend a few hours at home every night just to be sure that I was current. That's the secret to getting through. (As if you have not heard this, even in high school...) Be sure that you know TODAY'S work before you move on. Review every lecture and look up things that you don't understand. If you get lost in the second week, you will be hopelessly lost in the third and spinning your wheels uselessly after that.

In the clinical years, it can be difficult to match up your availability with clinic time availability, let alone your patients' time, but it can be done. In clinic, you have to do one step (or two) and wait to have it checked before you proceed. This can be frustrating for both you and your patient, as your instructor might be busy with another student who is having trouble. Some instructors like to hear their own voice and talk way too long, also. You will soon learn who they are and just avoid working with them in the clinic.

Answer 2

I never took the DAT because I got into a special high school to dental school program, that no longer exists, so I can't comment on that.

The work load in dental school is pretty intense though. Both from a mental perspective of difficult science classes, and then learning all the hand-eye skills associated with working with dental tools.

It is tough. And then when you get done with school you don't even know all the latest greatest procedures and techniques, nor do you know anything about running a businiess.

I've had to do more education outside of school than I did in school just to become a good modern dentist.

That part has been even more difficult than school.

Answer 3

"hard is a relative term! I felt it was roughly similar to the SAT or ACT. It wasn't too stressful but I think I spent a little time every day or so to study for about 4-5 months.

The important thing is to get yourself a prep book and familiarize yourself with the format.

Of course, you can go and review all the academic parts to make sure you're up on chemistry and all that. Howeve,r you really have to make sure you're familiar with the PAT - the perceptual aptitude part. There is nothing other than PRACTICE that can prepare you for this part - it's 20% of the whole DAT.

I didn't feel dental school was any harder than the worst classes in undergrad. That said, it really sucked for a few years and I couldn't have been happier to be DONE!

Good luck, and let me know if you'd like to know anything else.

Answer 4

DENTAL SCHOOL WAS ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHICH ONCE I STARTED, SEEMED TO JUST HAPPEN DAY AFTER DAY, MONTH AFTER MONTH UNTIL THAT FINAL DAY WHEN I GRADUATED AS A DOCTOR. THE KEY IS GETTING IN AND STAYING IN. HAVE A GOAL OF ACHIEVING THE FINAL RESULT. IN THIS WAY THE YEARS SEEMED TO FLY BY. THE WORK LOAD IS A BIT DIFFERENT IN THAT THIS LEARNING IS FOR THE CAREER OF YOUR LIFE, NOT JUST SOMETHING TO DO BECAUSE THERE'S NOTHING ELSE.