Career Changer. Just took DAT-thoughts?

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aveeno27

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• May 1, 2012

• #1

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Hi everyone--I am new at this, but I just took the DAT and below are my Stats:

- 27 year old career changer (right now I work in Management Consulting)
- Just took DAT:
AA-18
TS-17
PAT-19
QR-18
RC-20
BIO-19
GCHEM-19
OCHEM-14 🙁
- GPA- 3.4, Science GPA-3.0

I know that I do not have stellar scores, but am not sure if the fact that I've been working for 6 years will help at all? Any suggestions of what I should do/schools I should look at would be great. Thanks in advance for any guidance.

 

lululime

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• May 1, 2012

• #2

You're going to have to retake to get the ochem score at or above 15. To improve your PAT, I recommend that you try Crack DAT PAT which is more challenging than Kaplan. I don't think that 6 years of work experience would really sway admissions, but I'm sure the people/communication skills that you have picked up will shine through during your interview. If you are an underrepresented minority, you might have a good chance of getting into schools like Meharry or Howard U. Despite your background, you will have to get some shadowing experience---this is the best way for admissions to quantify your dedication/interest in dentistry. Aim for 30 hrs minimum. Some schools like NYU want you to have 100 hrs so more hours means more schools you're eligible for. Good luck my friend!

 

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dentalprodigy

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• May 1, 2012

• #3

Retake & you will definitely do better

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Seahawk

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• May 1, 2012

• #4

Yeah you have to retake that. No chance with that ochem.


--Life experience is great but they still need to see the academic performance.

 

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KentUT

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• May 1, 2012

• #5

Seahawk said:

Yeah you have to retake that. No chance with that ochem.


--Life experience is great but they still need to see the academic performance.

Click to expand...

Yeah you don't really have any options.. You have to retake and increase your OCHEM score. Watch chad's videos and read organic chemistry as a second language. Easy ways to boost your score

 

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JdogDMD

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• May 1, 2012

• #6

You won't even be considered with scores like that. Most schools will have cut offs for GPA and DAT scores and if you fall below they will cut you even before looking at the rest of your application. You'll have to retake to have a remote chance. Good luck...

 

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wizi

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• May 1, 2012

• #7

Retake for sure. Luckily, Chemistry is one of the sections on the dat that you can improve by doing a lot of problems...

 

txaggie03

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• May 1, 2012

• #8

Retake DAT.

Not sure of your science class GPAs, but getting in somewhere is most definitely possible.

 

T

ta11geese3

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• May 1, 2012

• #9

Buy the DAT destroyer, do the chem/ochem section several times. If you understand the problems and answer, you'll get 20+ on those sections. A lot of people can vouch for the destroyer's effectiveness.

In fact, I saw this bizarre question in the destroyer that I only remembered because I found it so weird. And... I saw the exact same question on my dat <_>

 

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uthscsaalum

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• May 1, 2012

• #10

I don't want to sound harsh, but I want to be honest in my reply... Your science gpa is below the average of the applicant pool, your overall is okay but not good either, and your DAT scores are average but with a horrible O-chem score. You don't have anyhing to stand out with your stats. I would study harder and retake the DAT in a few months. Re-read your college textbooks for chem, o-chem, and bio and take as many practice tests as you can get your hands on and make sure you go over them to see why you missed the questions you missed.

If you do that, I guarantee your scores will go up and increase your chances of getting in. It is only May 1st so time is on your side.

 

kcakezzz

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• May 1, 2012

• #11

I have almost the same exact stats as you. I am retaking my DAT and am hoping that I can improve my score and get in somewhere. However don't listen to everyone on SDN because there's been lots of people that get in with lower GPAs...saying someone doesn't have a chance ONLY because of one aspect of the application is bogus...true having higher stats will give you a better chance but DON'T LOSE HOPE. HANG IN THERE!! Just retake the DAT and I am sure you will improve!