applying early, do i have a chance

[wildrice]

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I am planning on applying to dental school as early as I can as I will be graduating from Suny Binghamton next spring. In addition to applying for the USAF HPSP, I plan to apply to 7 schools-

Temple, Columbia, NYU, Stony Brook, Rochester, Buffalo, and Boston.

My application has some strong points, but I am afraid there is one big stumbling block.

Pros- 3.8 GPA/3.8 S-GPA, I've worked as an intern/assistant at my local community health care center dental clinic every summer since I've graduated high school.

Cons- bad 1st try on DAT - 18aa, 20 ts but 11 ( yes 11) on QR.

I plan on retaking my DATs in august, giving me the whole summer to devote to prep.

So my main question is, do stand a chance of getting in the aforementioned schools if I retake and do better, or does retaking degrade the quality of one's application? also can I apply early eventhough I will be submitting the scores of my retake after I submit my inital application?

 

[tinman831]

Moving to pre-dental.

 

[wildrice]

Moving to pre-dental.

thanks, my bad

 

[UCLAzy]

you might be able to get into rochester, but you wouldn't be receiving a dds or dmd. i hear some dental schools dont look at you if you have below certain scores, but i think QR is the least important section, so idk. probably wont get into columbia..i think they're into high dats

 

[wildrice]

ok, thanks. anyone else?

 

[bennijai]

Most schools have cutoffs at 17 I believe so yes a retake would be recommended. And yes you can submit your application before you retake.

 

[4thMolar]

I would go ahead and submit your application in June and retake the DAT. If you can retake it earlier, say in July, I think that would be better, b/c August may be a bit late. But only re-take it earlier if you feel prepared for it. Also, I would add some more schools to your list just to be on the safe side. With your GPA as high as it is, getting a decent AA of at least 19 will be good. Just keep practicing with QR since that is obviously what hurt you.

 

[wildrice]

Ok, what about USAF HPSP? do u think they will require a retake?

 

[notin]

your gpa will help you but you must retake dat, QR of 11 kills you. retaking the DAT isn't looked down on, don't be worried about that. you can apply early (june/july) and put down your old scores, plus the date that you will be retaking it. schools won't receive your app for 3-4 weeks or so from when you submit, so if you take the dat about a month after you apply they probably will have just gotten your application anyway.

 

[wildrice]

haha ... yeah, that wouldn't really work to well

 

[262912]

I am planning on applying to dental school as early as I can as I will be graduating from Suny Binghamton next spring. In addition to applying for the USAF HPSP, I plan to apply to 7 schools-

Temple, Columbia, NYU, Stony Brook, Rochester, Buffalo, and Boston.

My application has some strong points, but I am afraid there is one big stumbling block.

Pros- 3.8 GPA/3.8 S-GPA, I've worked as an intern/assistant at my local community health care center dental clinic every summer since I've graduated high school.

Cons- bad 1st try on DAT - 18aa, 20 ts but 11 ( yes 11) on QR.

I plan on retaking my DATs in august, giving me the whole summer to devote to prep.

So my main question is, do stand a chance of getting in the aforementioned schools if I retake and do better, or does retaking degrade the quality of one's application? also can I apply early eventhough I will be submitting the scores of my retake after I submit my inital application?

On the bright side, your GPA is sweet. I only wish I had that kind of grades.

I think the 11 will keep you out...that's ridiculously low. If you can answer a couple more QR questions correctly, it could raise your score several points. QR is all about the shortcuts, so memorize all the tricks, and you'll get your pick of the litter.

 

[appleonius]

your GPA is great. apply ASAP before you retake your DAT and mention this in the DAT section of AADSAS. most schools will wait for you to retake but at least they'll have all of your info by then. & QR is probably the least important section IMO. good luck!