Best plan of action moving fwd? Or should I call it quits?

[jhmc]

---

Members don't see this ad.

long story short..

I applied for the 2nd time this year

3.3 gpa
3.1 science

(havent taken a masters yet)

Took the DAT 3 times

Best of the 3 attempts:

15PAT
20Bio
20RC
18QR
17GC
16OC

18AA
18TS

what should i do to better my application for nxt cycle? or do i have no shot of getting anywhere? this cycle isnt over yet but just planning for the worse

thanks guys

 

[Bobby Fischer]

long story short..

I applied for the 2nd time this year

3.3 gpa
3.1 science

(havent taken a masters yet)

Took the DAT 3 times

Best of the 3 attempts:

15PAT
20Bio
20RC
18QR
17GC
16OC

18AA
18TS

what should i do to better my application for nxt cycle? or do i have no shot of getting anywhere? this cycle isnt over yet but just planning for the worse

thanks guys

Bluntly: You really ought to move forward with plan B for your life. At the same time, if you anything other than a white male you might want to keep trying and hope you get lucky at some point for one of the AA spots Seriously, you never know but its definitely a roll of the dice as stastically there just aren't enough spots to accomodate all who would want one of these. Perhaps you learn Spanish if you aren't already fluent and see if Puerto Rico et al (d schools with less competetive stats) might take you if your heart is completely set on an accredited d school.

I've heard that many schools have a minimum for DAT scores below which in any of the 6 sections they won't even look at an application. Thinking its generally a 17 or something like that. Your GPA is above the 3.0 most schools use as the cutoff.

If memory serves, I have heard that one needs special permission to take the DAT more than three times. Also, I am pretty sure any section with a 15 is going to turn off pretty much to all schools (perhaps Puerto RIco et al stats are different I don't have the ADEA guide to d schools in front of me to check it out)

 

[cdb]

If you really wanna do Dentistry and nothing else, I would encourage you to do a Master's degree. It will help you redeem yourself for the low GPA in your undergrad. Also if I were you, study a little differently for your DAT because it seems like the technique your using isnt working. The thing about standardized testing is that you need to study in a certain way in order to do well. Use DAT destroyer and Crack the Pat

 

[DentVols17]

I agree with doing the masters and retaking the DAT. You are allowed to take the DAT more than 3 times as long as you can demonstrate that your are currently in the application cycle. Don't give up if this is something you really want to pursue. Get your application in the first week if you don't get in this year.

 

[hungrydentist]

Plan of action:
1) Start looking into some SMPs like Midwestern and UMDNJ. Apply.
2) Petition to retake DATs a fourth time before the next application cycle starts.
3) Apply next cycle while completing the SMP (to show them you're serious about dental school)
4) Get accepted and celebrate.

 

[magriva]

Don't give up. You need to retake the DAT and make sure you ace it next time. Use chads videos and the destroyer. You can also start practicing for the pat section. Im sure if you study productively for at least three months you can get at least a 20. Good luck.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile

 

[aqz]

As people have said, do a masters to show you're still interested.

The problem with your DAT isn't the cutoff for any single score. It's the fact that you have 3 scores at or below 17, the national average. Also, you said this is your best attempt, but is it your most recent? If you did worse on your most recent attempt, that doesn't look too good either.

The good thing is RC is one of the most important scores, Bio is usually the hardest science out of the 3, and you scored highest in both, so it shows you can do well.

Now to be very blunt....If this was your first attempt's scores, and you improved to a 20 AA the second attempt, your chances would be good. However, you're going on your 4th attempt. I think to be safe, you'd want to get >22 AA/TS with nothing under 20 to show that you really have improved this time around and that it wasn't just getting lucky on a 4th attempt.

Think of this as your last chance and push yourself to your limit. You're not done for yet, but you better be scared of the hole you'll dig yourself into if you still don't succeed this time around.

Hope that was more encouraging than demeaning, I'd be glad to help with DAT questions or anything else if you want to shoot me a PM.

 

[Obey]

long story short..

I applied for the 2nd time this year

3.3 gpa
3.1 science

(havent taken a masters yet)

Took the DAT 3 times

Best of the 3 attempts:

15PAT
20Bio
20RC
18QR
17GC
16OC

18AA
18TS

what should i do to better my application for nxt cycle? or do i have no shot of getting anywhere? this cycle isnt over yet but just planning for the worse

thanks guys

I think the problem is your GPA not your DAT. It would be easier for you to improve your chances by retaking the DAT and score at least a 21AA to compensate the GPA but the fact that you have taken it 3 times before, doesn't look good.

I would register for a master's program to improve the GPA and retake the DAT.

 

[jmukid]

Take 4 or 5 months off of anything that your doing and solely focus on studying for the DAT. I put in 3 months of studying and got a 20 total score and non of my sections were below an 18. Also next school year instead of doing a masters try and find a good post-back program to do. Just do a google search and you'll find out all the post-back programs in the country. If you can receive a 3.5 or higher in the post-back program and get at least a 20 on your DAT then i think you have a legit shot of getting accepted somewhere.

 

[jhmc]

thanks for the advice guys

to answer the prev q's

yes my 3rd attempt was slightly worse..i did best on my 2nd attempt.

given my stats, what would be the best SMPs to apply for without wasting more money? I'll be taking the GRE in a month just to add options..I live in NYC btw..

as far as this cycle..still under review for a dozen or more schools..i applied broadly. is it safe to assume that the years over or do i still have a chance?

thanks