Another annoying chance thread?

[LuckBloodandSweat]

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Hi everyone, I haven't really been here the last few months but I'm kinda going to be back since I'm retaking my DAT July 27th. My semester ended and I had a decent semester again (3.78 for Spring 2016) so I have an upwards trend of 1 yr (~3.8 Junior year of college). I currently have 5 LORs (2 bio professors, 1 physics professor), 1 from community service and 1 from the dentist I shadowed. I will get a 6th LOR from my TA director as well so my app may not get in super early, especially because of the late DAT retake.

OGPA: 3.43 (Jr yr ~3.8)
SGPA: 3.32 (Jr yr ~ 3.7)
First two years were pretty bad admittedly as I never got over a 3.4 and never under a 3.0. I took the DAT already and got a 20 AA 19 TS (mediocre I know...). I have shadowed about 140 hrs, have ~200 hrs of community service and have won a TA award in my school's bio department this semester. I'm also a very active member of my school's pre-dental society. I'll be shadowing more this summer and doing some basic work in a lab as well. What are my chances with a better DAT (23/24+) and without? I'm probably graduating in December 2016 and will use the time off to increase my ECs.

 

[JLT223]

Why in the world are you retaking the DAT?

 

[Soleus715]

First I would refer to this guide: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/thr...and-the-universe.1197114/page-2#post-17761187
It should answer most of your questions.

Not really sure why you'd want to retake the DAT, unless you know you didn't try your best and you're going all out on this upcoming DAT. The average matriculating DAT score is 19.9.

That being said, I think you may/may not get in even without a new DAT even if the rest of your application is strong.
I got in with a 3.0/ 23AA on my first try, yet I know people with good GPA and good DAT that got rejected multiple cycles. There are also those that are still waitlisted and waiting to hear back.
It's really tough to tell who's gonna get in with any given application cycle.

The admissions staff are human and will have different views on each applicant. I think it's important to realize that and prepare the best app you can and hope for the best.

 

[1passbbsSHAVE]

With inconsistent GPA trends with oGPA around 3.4, I think he can benefit from 1~2 more points on TS and AA..
just my opinion.


P.S. just don't do any worse on your second try 🙂

 

[LuckBloodandSweat]

With inconsistent GPA trends with oGPA around 3.4, I think he can benefit from 1~2 more points on TS and AA..
just my opinion.

Thanks a lot of people have given me this advice. Well soph yr was a tiny bit better than fresh year but junior year is the only good one.

 

[JLT223]

What it you do worse on the DAT the 2nd time around? Then you're screwed. You have a respectable score.

 

[LuckBloodandSweat]

Why in the world are you retaking the DAT?

I did post a rant about this. I only studied 4 weeks and well I know I choked a bit because I was sweating and shaking during the whole test. I'm ready to kill it if I have 2 whole months to focus on it (only doing activities for 2-3 days a week at max).
My rant lol: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/should-i-retake-the-dat-im-furious.1180228/

 

[Soleus715]

With inconsistent GPA trends with oGPA around 3.4, I think he can benefit from 1~2 more points on TS and AA..
just my opinion.

From what I read it seems he has a very high upward trend which should turn out favorable for him.
But yes, more points on the DAT will always be helpful 🙂

I did post a rant about this. I only studied 4 weeks and well I know I choked a bit because I was sweating and shaking during the whole test. I'm ready to kill it if I have 2 whole months to focus on it (only doing activities for 2-3 days a week at max).
My rant lol: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/should-i-retake-the-dat-im-furious.1180228/

Oh I see, in that case, I would definitely retake. It'll make your life a lot easier if you do well.
Just make sure you relax and have confidence in yourself with all the time you've put into studying.

 

[LuckBloodandSweat]

First I would refer to this guide: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/thr...and-the-universe.1197114/page-2#post-17761187
It should answer most of your questions.

Not really sure why you'd want to retake the DAT, unless you know you didn't try your best and you're going all out on this upcoming DAT. The average matriculating DAT score is 19.9.

That being said, I think you may/may not get in even without a new DAT even if the rest of your application is strong.
I got in with a 3.0/ 23AA on my first try, yet I know people with good GPA and good DAT that got rejected multiple cycles. There are also those that are still waitlisted and waiting to hear back.
It's really tough to tell who's gonna get in with any given application cycle.

The admissions staff are human and will have different views on each applicant. I think it's important to realize that and prepare the best app you can and hope for the best.

I did put in a good effort for my first DAT but I felt like I could've reviewed destroyer more thoroughly and that 4 weeks wasn't enough time. Interesting to hear you got in with your stats! And I know, admissions is kind of a mysterious process. I'm just wondering how my chances are. I know they're not great but I'm going to YOLO and apply for this cycle anyway as I've been told I do have somewhat of a chance.

 

[JLT223]

I did put in a good effort for my first DAT but I felt like I could've reviewed destroyer more thoroughly and that 4 weeks wasn't enough time. Interesting to hear you got in with your stats! And I know, admissions is kind of a mysterious process. I'm just wondering how my chances are. I know they're not great but I'm going to YOLO and apply for this cycle anyway as I've been told I do have somewhat of a chance.

More than somewhat of a chance lol. I think you'll be fine.

 

[1passbbsSHAVE]

What it you do worse on the DAT the 2nd time around? Then you're screwed. You have a respectable score.

contrary to popular belief that most people will do better on subsequent tries, I think I saw a disturbing chart that says that 90% retakers do just as well as they did last time, or slightly worse.
I forgot where I saw that. @doc toothache?

 

[pgex2t]

As someone who retook a 20 and then a 22, my advice is to only retake if there's absolutely no question you can do better. That being said, nobody I know personally has honestly ever studied more for a retake than they did the first time.

EDIT: they studied more efficiently but not longer

 

[LuckBloodandSweat]

As someone who retook a 20 and then a 22, my advice is to only retake if there's absolutely no question you can do better. That being said, nobody I know personally has honestly ever studied more for a retake than they did the first time.

That's a good suggestion. Thing is I'm giving it an extra month and I refuse to get lazy.

 

[MahiMahi]

I think a 20 is great and you don't need a retake, but that's just my opinion.

 

[Joey333]

I don't think you should retake the DAT