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Unless you're a minority, you're going to need to retake it because of that GC. A 16 in QR? fine, but GC? harder to get by. Schools actually filter out applicants if scores get below a certain point.

You did great with OC, you're doing good bringing up the GPA. Just put in the time and get that DAT score up, then you'll have better luck.

A year off isn't a bad thing, don't get caught up in that like I did. Close yourself off for a month and two, hit the books, then enjoy the gap year.
 
Faux said:
Unless you're a minority, you're going to need to retake it because of that GC. A 16 in QR?
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Um... is this a thing?
I know schools like Meharry and Howard do give African American applicants (and maybe latino students, idk) a bit of advantage since they're "African American school" and they generally have lower average acceptance stats but do other schools give minority students an advantage? I thought the "disadvatage status" goes equally to everyone who claims (and proves) to be disadvantaged. I doubt schools automatically give minority students an edge.
 
FalesteenPrince said:
Starting to feel like my chances for this cycle are slim to none nearing the end of this month. I applied to 20 schools and received 0 interviews. I want to start planning for the future and hopefully get in next cycle. ADEA calculated my gpa around a 3.1 and my DAT is a 19AA (High: OC 21, Low: GC: 16). My gpa should get up to a 3.2 after this semester with good grades and maybe another .1 after the Spring semester which is my last semester. I just don't know what move to make, I was thinking of studying for the DAT over winter break and taking it before the Spring semester but that will be really rushing it, I don't know if 1 month is enough time. Or is my DAT okay and if I get my gpa up to a 3.3 by next cycle will be enough?
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I don't think your 19 AA is good enough to make up for your relative lower GPA, especially with that GC score. I think you'll have a chance once you bring up your GPA to 3.3 and get 21 or better DAT score.
 
I second that. A 3.3 will be okay if you retake the DAT and get an impressive score. You'd do well to not have any scores below 20 (except QR). Set aside as much time as you can and study like your life depends on it. You can do it!


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FalesteenPrince said:
When do you guys think is the right time to do so? Should I try to do it over winter break? The first time I took the DAT I studied over the summer and took it July 27 but some schools didn't get my scores until a month after. I know my stats aren't amazing so I want to be as early as possible.
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It just depends on what your schedule is like. Maximize the amount of time you can dedicate to studying. If it's possible for you to study around 8 hours a day every day, do that for at least six weeks. If not, spread it out. If you could still do the summer thing, just freshen up on some of the material leading up to the summer, study like hell, and take it in late June. You should still get official scores verified before the end of the summer. That way, you're still "early" and you'll probably have a substantially better score than you would've if you just tried cramming things over two weeks. That's just my input though; everyone prepares differently. Just don't prioritize applying early over getting a good score.


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Mason91 said:
Um... is this a thing?
I know schools like Meharry and Howard do give African American applicants (and maybe latino students, idk) a bit of advantage since they're "African American school" and they generally have lower average acceptance stats but do other schools give minority students an advantage? I thought the "disadvatage status" goes equally to everyone who claims (and proves) to be disadvantaged. I doubt schools automatically give minority students an edge.
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It is absolutely a thing. Moreso at private schools than at state schools. Their affirmative action policies are clearly stated on their admissions websites. It is doubtful that this affects the chances of white & Asian applicants in a significant way, though, because so few racial minorities are applying to dental school in the first place. Also, a rational dental school administrator would not risk enrolling students incapable of passing the boards (and an ethical administrator would not allow incompetent dental students to harm patients), so there are checks in place to prevent the acceptance of unqualified applicants.

@FalesteenPrince , yeah, as other people are saying, you should retake the DAT. If you raise that score and graduate with a 3.3 GPA, your numbers will be good enough to get in somewhere, assuming the rest of your application is solid!
 
FalesteenPrince said:
When do you guys think is the right time to do so? Should I try to do it over winter break? The first time I took the DAT I studied over the summer and took it July 27 but some schools didn't get my scores until a month after. I know my stats aren't amazing so I want to be as early as possible.
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Couple things to weigh here. Do you have the funds to take it twice? As in if you take it in winter and it doesnt work out right, can you take it again in the Summer?

The other factor is if you have the time to do it right, doing it in the winter could give you the boost you need to get in this cycle. If that's important to you and you're not interested in a gap year I'd give it your all this winter break.

Also keep doing well this semester, that fall update could help you out some too.
 
If you're unsure, brush up on some stuff for a 1-1.5 wks and then take a practice test and see where you're at. If it seems like it's too much work to fit into the time you have, slow down and do the retake over the summer. This profession is a marathon not a sprint.
 
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