DAT before Postbac?

[WYNN86]

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Hi everyone,
Just wondering if someone could help me out by clearing up some confusion I have over the bet time to take the DAT?

I've completed my BA degree but obviously need to get my prereq's by either diy'ing it or entering a postbac. However I've alway thought that I would do the DAT whilst getting my prereq's but it seems as though some school like you to have the DAT wheras others frown upon it.

What should I do!? I'm hoping to do apply for postbacs at Loma Linda, USC, Harvard ex. Penn or Columbia. Any advice on whether I should take the DAT (at least for the first time) before applying (entering in 09)?

Thanks you guys! 🙂

 

[Montserrat]

Some postbacc programs (such as ones that allow one to boost their GPA in science coursework), really like to see DAT or GRE scores before admitting someone. Because my GPA was below freezing, I was asked to submit my DAT scores before they would consider me for my master's program. I've heard the same request made at Penn when a friend of mine applied there.

Hi everyone,
Just wondering if someone could help me out by clearing up some confusion I have over the bet time to take the DAT?

I've completed my BA degree but obviously need to get my prereq's by either diy'ing it or entering a postbac. However I've alway thought that I would do the DAT whilst getting my prereq's but it seems as though some school like you to have the DAT wheras others frown upon it.

What should I do!? I'm hoping to do apply for postbacs at Loma Linda, USC, Harvard ex. Penn or Columbia. Any advice on whether I should take the DAT (at least for the first time) before applying (entering in 09)?

Thanks you guys! 🙂

 

[Montserrat]

I just wanted to add that I met some folks at my post-bacc program that hadn't taken their pre-reqs. They took their MCAT/PCAT/DAT after a year and a half of the pre-reqs. However, they all seemed to have a pretty strong GPA in whatever discipline they graduated from undergrad with.

 

[WYNN86]

Thanks for your help.

I think I may take the DAT before applying in that case. My GPA is good but could be better so hopefully the DAT will give me that extra boost, especially if I do well in it.

Thanks again!

 

[Montserrat]

The only thing I might be worried about is taking the DAT before you are ready. I would hold off on taking the DAT if I were you, only because a poor performance on the exam hurts not only your chances of being accepted into a postbacc program, but will also hurt your chances of being admitted to dental school, which is your primary objective. I would ask the schools if taking the GRE would be sufficient and prepare for that, because a poor performance here won't necessarily be seen when you apply to dental school. I would then hold off on taking the DAT until I had either completed the pre-req coursework and/or self-studied the material to a level I was comfortable taking the exam.

I'm not saying you'll do poorly on the DAT if you self-study the pre-reqs, I'm just advocating a less risk strategy for going the post-bacc route.