DAT breakdown (need to retake?) advice please

[rkaleas]

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I am new to this forum and would really like some advice!!!

I graduated last year (2012) with a 3.7 overal GPA and a 3.5 science GPA. I've been working since as a dental assistant at a periodontal office and want to apply to dental school this upcoming cycle. My first DAT was this past February and I can retake starting in mid-June. Below is my first DAT breakdown and I've been studying since for a retake but my practice tests haven't really gotten any better. What do people suggest, is it worth retaking if I'm not sure I'm going to do any better or should I chance it and apply?

Overall I got 17/17
Bio 19
Chem 17
Orgo 17
PAT 20
RC 21
QC 15 🙁 (this is what is really hurting me - I'm not bad per say at math but just very slow!!!)

I have very good recommendations as I currently work with 4 doctors who are all professors at either BU, Harvard or Tufts (one is the Director of the Periodontology department at BU) but I just don't know if my GPA, a 17/17 (with that unfortunate 15) and their recommendations are enough.

Please let me know your thoughts. I would just really hate to retake it and still get the same scores

 

[IsaacYankem]

I've been studying since for a retake but my practice tests haven't really gotten any better. What do people suggest, is it worth retaking if I'm not sure I'm going to do any better or should I chance it and apply?

Please let me know your thoughts. I would just really hate to retake it and still get the same scores

The only thing holding you back from admission is your DAT. Sit down, plan out 8 weeks of hardcore, daily nose to the grindstone studying and pound it out. You're going to need to retake.

What materials are you using? With the right materials and the focus/dedication to study you should be set. That 15 is below many cutoffs.

 

[Slumber]

The only thing holding you back from admission is your DAT. Sit down, plan out 8 weeks of hardcore, daily nose to the grindstone studying and pound it out. You're going to need to retake.

What materials are you using? With the right materials and the focus/dedication to study you should be set. That 15 is below many cutoffs.

I concur. Unless you have some insider connection hooked up, a retake is in order!

 

[power5643]

Try DAT destroyer for Math. I only studied for two days for Math and got 20(97%). Just memorize your conversions and basic trig rules. Orgo is probably the easiest section to bring your scores up! Watch chad !!

 

[rkaleas]

The only thing holding you back from admission is your DAT. Sit down, plan out 8 weeks of hardcore, daily nose to the grindstone studying and pound it out. You're going to need to retake.

What materials are you using? With the right materials and the focus/dedication to study you should be set. That 15 is below many cutoffs.

I concur. Unless you have some insider connection hooked up, a retake is in order!

Thanks guys!!! I am going to set up a 6 weeks plan starting today and retake by the end of June which will still allow me to apply somewhat early. For my first go around I was all over the place studying from random stuff. I have Crack the DAT and DAT Destroyer for Orgo.. any other suggestions to get my Math score up? Should I just keep doing practice questions?

Thanks again and I will update once I retake and hopefully do much better in my 15/17 areas.

 

[rkaleas]

Try DAT destroyer for Math. I only studied for two days for Math and got 20(97%). Just memorize your conversions and basic trig rules. Orgo is probably the easiest section to bring your scores up! Watch chad !!

Thanks!! I will try to get that!! You are probably naturally good at math and orgo though no? I haven't taken a math or orgo course in almost 4 years and honestly seriously struggled with both in college lol Math and Chem/Orgo were my only B's in college and even that was a struggle!!

Either way - I am going to concentrate on Math and Orgo for the next few weeks and def retake!!

 

[IsaacYankem]

I'm terrible at Math, was very nervous about it. Only studied about 2 1/2 weeks with Math Destroyer and Khan academy. I made a 20.

If organic is what you seek, go to Chad. He is phenomenal. You should easily be 20+ with him and destroyer. His combination/permutation video was extremely helpful for QR as well. Good luck

 

[dental24]

I graduated last year (2012) with a 3.7 overal GPA and a 3.5 science GPA.

Overall I got 17/17
Bio 19
Chem 17
Orgo 17
PAT 20
RC 21
QC 15 🙁 (this is what is really hurting me - I'm not bad per say at math but just very slow!!!)

Retake! You have wonderful GPA but the QC is below average. Some schools may not even accept it. Great job on PAT and RC.

Study your butt off and aim for 19+ in all sections. With your high GPA 19+ should be sufficient. GOOD LUCK

 

[biomolecmed]

I would retake it. Give yourself plenty of time to study. Use Achiever, Destroyer, Kaplan, Dat Qvault. All are great resources. They will definitely help you boost your score. Good luck.

 

[babowc]

Thanks guys!!! I am going to set up a 6 weeks plan starting today and retake by the end of June which will still allow me to apply somewhat early. For my first go around I was all over the place studying from random stuff. I have Crack the DAT and DAT Destroyer for Orgo.. any other suggestions to get my Math score up? Should I just keep doing practice questions?

Thanks again and I will update once I retake and hopefully do much better in my 15/17 areas.

In the same boat..
I started studying before finals ended, and got through orgo odyssey and Chad's GC lectures with almost 700 notecards, lol.

I got ****ty OC, GC last time, so I've been ironin them out real good. I think the odyssey is a great tool, it's basically a book of problems and solutions.

I got a mediocre to bad score on QR, and I'm gonna be reviewing with Math destroyer beginning on Sunday.

Anywhere from 10-14 hour days, haha. It's fun...