optimizing conversion between string and date
Here's a one-liner for you:

    private DateTime convertToDateFromString(string dateString)
    {
        DateTime bufferDate;

        return DateTime.TryParseExact(
            dateString,
            new[] { "MMddyy", "MMd yy", "M d yy" },
            CultureInfo.InvariantCulture,
            DateTimeStyles.None,
            out bufferDate)
            ? bufferDate
            : new DateTime(1, 1, 1);
    }


With more than one line:

    private DateTime convertToDateFromString(string dateString)
    {
        var allowedFormats = new[] { "MMddyy", "MMd yy", "M d yy" };
        DateTime parsedDate;
        var couldParse = DateTime.TryParseExact(
            dateString,
            allowedFormats,
            CultureInfo.InvariantCulture,
            DateTimeStyles.None,
            out parsedDate);

        if (couldParse)
        {
            return parsedDate;
        }

        return new DateTime(1, 1, 1); // or throw an exception
    }