11/4/09 Dat Done/breakdown, opinions?

[kayakfisher]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Havent really done much posting here, but the collective knowledge on the boards is amazing! So happy to be done with the DAT.

PAT-21
QR-17
RC-20
Bio-20
GChem-18
OChem-23

TS-20
AA-20

Materials- I used kaplan BB, topscore, Chad's videos, Bio notes floating around here, Cliff's Bio, ADA practice test (highly recommended).

I graduated a couple years ago so it was more reteaching myself than just reviewing.

Pat- This was one of my stronger areas in practice, and thought I actually did better than what my score was. Angles were a little tricky, and a couple folding questions ate up some time.

QR- My worst area, I was getting 15-17 on practice tests. Last 48 hours before the test I knew I needed to do something about it and tried to learn some Trig. It might have made a difference, there were a few problems that I know it helped on. Just have to try and not get hung up or frustrated, its the last section and you have to power through it. Skip the hard ones and get as many points as you can.

RC- Didn't get pianoed! But there were a few more tone questions than I thought there would be. Came down to the wire, time wise. I used a combination of Kaplan/SND. I would go through the article first and do a road map, but ultimate light skimming. First sentence, some times even the first few words, and last sentence. Wrote 1-2 words just to get an idea of the layout, and then went to the questions.

Bio- I was getting 19ish on practice tests, so I was happy with this. There isnt a whole lot you can do about this section besides just knowing the basics. Dont spend a long time memorizing the most trivial things when you should be studying other subjects. There will be questions that will make you scratch your head and there isnt anyway around it. Key- application of the basics.

Gchem- I was hoping to do better, over all wasnt to hard but I think not being able to manipulate formulas quickly threw me off. There wasnt anything too tricky here.

Ochem- Definitely happy with this score. Few odd questions, but most weren't too bad. I tried understanding why reactions happened the way they did, instead of just memorizing... and I think that helped.


I am a late applicant, and have a gpa of 3.21 and a science of 3.18 This is where I am worried. I had a 2.75 from CC (back when I didnt care to open up a book) but got a 3.67 after transferring to a good university. So... I am hoping that they took into account the differences and the grades that weren't great in gchem, general bio, etc; and weigh them with the DAT.

What do you guys think?

I have worked for a couple years for an orthodontist, and after graduating have been working as an oral surgery assistant for the last 2 years (for a practice with 5 surgeons) . So I have a lot of work experience, volunteering, and good letters. I applied to 15 schools and even though I am late in the cycle (apps went in last month), I hope I get an interview or two. What do you think my chances are? Or will I need to apply again early next year or do something to raise my gpa?

Thanks a lot in advance, and good luck to all those taking the test soon!

 

[americanpierg]

I'm just going to be honest here and not sugarcoat anything. You have a very low chance of getting in. You have an average DAT score, but a below average GPA. Your improvement looks good, but that depends on how much of your prereqs were taken at a CC. Also, you're applying very, very late in the cycle, and you have been out of school for quite awhile (although the dental experience in that time is a plus). I've seen numerous people on here with 3.8s and 3.9s who said the reason for their rejection is that they have been out of school for awhile. Too many negatives here, and not many positives (other than the dental experience).

 

[kayakfisher]

I'm just going to be honest here and not sugarcoat anything. You have a very low chance of getting in. You have an average DAT score, but a below average GPA. Your improvement looks good, but that depends on how much of your prereqs were taken at a CC. Also, you're applying very, very late in the cycle, and you have been out of school for quite awhile (although the dental experience in that time is a plus). I've seen numerous people on here with 3.8s and 3.9s who said the reason for their rejection is that they have been out of school for awhile. Too many negatives here, and not many positives (other than the dental experience).

I really appreciate your honesty. What do you think my best options are? Is it even possible to go and retake classes that were taken in CC? Or do I need to take other courses to raise my GPA? Take the DAT again and get better scores? Or would applying again early next year make enough of a difference to get in somewhere? Or should I start calling schools and ask them? Thanks again.

 

[FutureDent020]

I really appreciate your honesty. What do you think my best options are? Is it even possible to go and retake classes that were taken in CC? Or do I need to take other courses to raise my GPA? Take the DAT again and get better scores? Or would applying again early next year make enough of a difference to get in somewhere? Or should I start calling schools and ask them? Thanks again.

I simply want to say good job on the DAT. 20TS/20AA/21PAT is very solid. Your GPA is low, so you could always look into one of the masters programs that require an 18+DAT, which you obviously have exceeded. It is really late in the game, so your chances this cycle are slim. But be proud of you DAT score.

 

[Smilemoncheri]

Great Job on your DAT Scores!! You should be happy about your scores. Now the fact that it's late in the cycle when you applied can lessen your chances but nothing is impossible!! So just wait and see, I do think DS admission committees like applicants who have life experiences different from the rest. And from what you say, you are a unique case. My dentist told me that when he was in DS there were a few people who were in his class that were changing careers from business to dentistry. So the fact that your courses are older, does not necessarily eliminate you from admission, but in either case, going for a postbac or grad program to increase your GPA can be a good solution if you do not get in this cycle.

Plus you applied to 15 schools, so that's quite a number! Hopefully you will see a few positive results. Just remember it only takes 1 to say yes! Best Wishes to you!

 

[americanpierg]

I really appreciate your honesty. What do you think my best options are? Is it even possible to go and retake classes that were taken in CC? Or do I need to take other courses to raise my GPA? Take the DAT again and get better scores? Or would applying again early next year make enough of a difference to get in somewhere? Or should I start calling schools and ask them? Thanks again.

Applying this late is probably the most detrimental thing to your application, especially since your stats aren't out of this world good. It will take another 3 or so weeks before your DAT scores reaches schools, then like 1-2 weeks for them to even put everything together for review. Your best option is to take a masters or postbac program, then you will stand a very good chance, especially with your experience. You just need something to get more recent classes under your belt so they still think you can handle schoolwork. If you go the masters/postbac route you may need to retake the DAT if it expires by the time you reapply. Take more classes while doing well in them and apply early and you'll be golden.

 

[kayakfisher]

Thanks a lot guys, I really appreciate the advice. I guess I'm just going to have to wait and see what happens this cycle. If I don't get in, I have to decide between reapplying in June or taking a year off and getting more classes under my belt.

The main reason I didn't apply right out of college was because I ended up being the main eyewitness to a high profile international FBI serial murder/racketeering case. He was caught about a month before my brother and I were "next on the list". I had to do interviews with america's most wanted, dateline, etc. This all happened a few years ago, about a month before I was going to take the DATS. If theres one thing that will screw up concentration... this was it! So ya, unique life experiences is and understatement.

PS. The guy got the longest sentence for fraud in a particular state's history to make sure he would never be allowed out, and more murder/fraud chargers have been filed and will continue to be filed for quite some time.

 

[FutureDent020]

Thanks a lot guys, I really appreciate the advice. I guess I'm just going to have to wait and see what happens this cycle. If I don't get in, I have to decide between reapplying in June or taking a year off and getting more classes under my belt.

The main reason I didn't apply right out of college was because I ended up being the main eyewitness to a high profile international FBI serial murder/racketeering case. He was caught about a month before my brother and I were "next on the list". I had to do interviews with america's most wanted, dateline, etc. This all happened a few years ago, about a month before I was going to take the DATS. If theres one thing that will screw up concentration... this was it! So ya, unique life experiences is and understatement.

PS. The guy got the longest sentence for fraud in a particular state's history to make sure he would never be allowed out, and more murder/fraud chargers have been filed and will continue to be filed for quite some time.

At least you have something unique to talk about at any upcoming interviews

 

[timwatley]

The late app might hurt some. I think you still have a shot at some of the more expensive private schools though. I'd make sure to apply to NYU, BU, Tufts, and obviously your state school if you have one. People always give up their spots at some of the private schools when they get accepted by a school with lower tuition. I'm sure the schools realize this and interview relatively late. I'd do a search on 'late interviews' and see what comes up.

 

[noles]

20 AA is ~87th percentile. How is that average?? maybe it is for this forum of overachievers...

 

[FutureDent020]

20 AA is ~87th percentile. How is that average?? maybe it is for this forum of overachievers...

Haha, it's not. It's really good. 👍