Advice about application/retaking DAT

[joshipri]

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Hi Everyone!! I recently took my DAT but wasn't happy w/ my scores, so I'm planning on taking it again. But b/c of the 90 day rule, I can't take it until the end of August or early September. So here's my dilemma, should I send in my application now with the DAT scores I have now and not tell AADSAS that I'm retaking it (cuz the schools will put my application on hold until I retake it). Or should I tell AADSAS I'm retaking in fear that some schools may reject me based off of my scores. Here they are:

PAT: 18
QR: 16
RC: 18
Bio: 18
GC: 18
OC: 20
TS: 19
AA: 18

And my GPA is 3.87 w/ a science GPA of around 3.6--I've done over 120 hours of community service, over 40 hours of interning at a dentist's office, worked as a Learning Assistant in a chemistry laboratory and had leadership positions in a few organizations.

Any advice would be fantastic!!! Thanks in advance for all the help!

 

[whoaaitzkyle]

There was a similar thread and I think the OP chose to not put in on their AADSAS they were retaking. I am in the same situation as you and I marked that I intend on retaking the DAT in August. Regardless of your old scores, they aren't going to make any interview decisions until you fill out your secondaries anyways. It's really up to you...good luck!

 

[KinKs]

I am always surprised when students with GPAs as high as 3.6 and above do poorly on the DAT - i simply cant understand. In any case you grades look good except for QR. personally, I would do it again.

 

[joshipri]

But if I do send in my app w/o saying I'm retaking, do you think there's a chance that the schools will reject me based on my scores?
Also, do you know how the secondaries work? are they like med school secondaries where you have to write separate essays and stuff (my friend is applying to med schools right now).

Thanks so much and I hope everything works out w/ u too!!

 

[Bruinlove]

But if I do send in my app w/o saying I'm retaking, do you think there's a chance that the schools will reject me based on my scores?
Also, do you know how the secondaries work? are they like med school secondaries where you have to write separate essays and stuff (my friend is applying to med schools right now).

Thanks so much and I hope everything works out w/ u too!!

Some schools require essays on secondaries.

I think you have a shot at some schools even with current DAT.
And are you sure you can raise your scores on second time? I'm not saying you can't, but you need to be realistic because most schools will hold off on your app until they see the new score.

 

[joshipri]

That's true...I can probably raise my science scores and my QR, but not definitely.

Also, I live in Michigan so I'm applying to my 2 state schools and a few others, but I don't know what my backup schools should be...I'm kinda leaning towards a school with a better clinical program...

Thanks for the help everyone!!

 

[joshipri]

does anyone else have any advice??

 

[Allah Is 1]

My SCI GPA is 3.96 and my CUM GPA is 3.92. I wrote the Canadian DATs and my scores were as follows:
RC 17
BIO 19
GC 18
PAT 20
Soap Carving 6 (I chipped the soap)
I put on my application that I wasn't retaking the DAT b/c I didn't want them to hold my transcript for my scores but I am retaking the Canadian DATs in November and will have the scores around January in case they want them.

 

[Persevere13]

prob no retake 🙂

i saw a thread earlier that the ADA will be notifying dental schools of the low QR's this year (1-2 pts lower than usual)...yay for all of us w/ low QRs

 

[dent2009]

prob no retake 🙂

i saw a thread earlier that the ADA will be notifying dental schools of the low QR's this year (1-2 pts lower than usual)...yay for all of us w/ low QRs

which thread was this???

 

[Persevere13]

im searching feverishly for it...

try "ADA notifying dental schools" or something like that, someone help me out, i swear i saw it!

either way, at least the ADA recognizes how ridic the QR section is this yr!

 

[jaypea65]

I am always surprised when students with GPAs as high as 3.6 and above do poorly on the DAT - i simply cant understand. In any case you grades look good except for QR. personally, I would do it again.

Everybody has their own reasons why they don't perform adequately on the DAT. Perhaps they are not prepared well enough, nervous, or who knows what else. There certainly is grade inflation at different colleges. In my case, it has been twenty years since I have taken some of the science classes. I basically had to relearn by teaching myself several subjects. Even though I only scored an 18AA and 18TS, I am damn disappointed, but at the same time I am damn proud of my 18 and 3.5 GPA. I worked hard to even achieve that score. Full-time employment, two kids to take care of, college classes, and study for the DAT was difficult to say the least. Many of you probably do the same. It may or may not be enough for admission, but I feel I gave it my all. It always amuses me when people come to this forum for advice on scores and admission because we do not really know what Adcoms are looking for at different schools. There are always those students that get admitted with average scores over a seemingly better academically prepared student. I would guess that Adcoms look at the whole package or students that pick medicine for the right reason. I have been around medicine for quite some time now, and I can always pick out the docs that went into medicine for the wrong reasons. They are the ones that are arrogant, miserable, and treat people with lack a of respect. Just my 2cents.........

 

[doc toothache]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=400209