DAT Done (5/14/10) but not good...(Need advice!)

[jasminetea7]

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I finally took my DAT today but the result is very disheartening.

I wish I could proudly present my score like most of you SDNers (and in that sense, I'm kind of embarrassed to share my score) but I will post it regardless in hopes of helping or encouraging others who might be in the same path as mine.

This was actually my second attempt.
First time, which was two years ago, I took a Kaplan course and took some Topscore tests. I did horribly my first time because I didn't even know about Destroyer or Achiever OR SDN. Due to my lack of research and poor studying method/material I used, I got 18AA and 20PA.

For my second DAT, which is the one I took today, I did a lot of research (I learned my lesson), asked questions on this forum, used all the recommended materials. I spent about 5+ months on preparing for this test, about 4 hours a day average. I'm a very slow learner, and I had to relearn everything from scratch because I've been out of school for 2 years.

For science, I used Kaplan BB, Cliff AP Bio/Campbell's bio book (but used it only as a reference), Kaplan subject tests, and Destroyer.

I spent the most time on biology because I got the lowest score on bio. First I went through Kaplan BB and took notes. As I mentioned above, I'm a slow learner, and I can't learn things by just reading it. I went to Cliff's AP Bio and Campbell's if I needed more explanation and drew all the diagrams/pictures I needed to understand the concept. I went through Destroyer 3.5 times (0.5 because the 4th time I only went over the ones I got wrong) and took notes of EVERYTHING. And I read the notes whenever I had chance (even on a treadmill).

For ochem and gchem I used Kaplan BB, Chad's lecture videos, Kaplan subject tests and Destroyer (went through it 2.5 times) and took notes just like how I studied for bio. (I recommend Chad's video to those of you who forgot everything you learned in college just like me. He breaks it down pretty well.)

QR was my weakest link. I got 16 on my first DAT. So I used Math Destroyer and CDM and went over each test everyday. I went over all the problems I got wrong and redid them.

For PAT, I just went through all the tests on CDP.

Oh, and I went over DAT Achiever but got very low score on science (16-17). I asked people here about this but it seemed like that's pretty much what everyone was getting so I decided not to worry too much about it.

So that's pretty much what I did to prepare for this test and here's my score:

PA: 23
QR: 21
RC: 18
Bio: 18
GC: 22
OC: 18
TS: 19
AA: 19

The only noteworthy scores are PA and QR (so CDM, Math Destroyer, and CDP really helped!).

I think I was in my best condition and I felt ready going into the test, but the science section just killed me. Now, I need to mention that I'm really bad at taking standardized tests, which I was aware of, and therefore, I spent so much time studying for it, however, I still did so poorly!

I thought that the biology section had a lot of questions that require application, rather than the ones that are straightforward. I kind of panicked because like I said, I'm not a good test-taker and if there's something I've never seen before, I won't get it right.

And I was actually surprised by my ochem score because I thought that the questions were not too difficult.

I was very upset when I got my result (I still am actually) because I thought I would do better. I spent so much time and money on this but my score improved only by a little bit. I cried on my way home because I was angry and disappointed in myself. Haha...

I really really wish that I did well on my test so I could tell you what to do and share my wisdom but I can't. :-( Instead, I can tell you what NOT to do. Haha. Don't drink coffee right before the test because it'll make you want to go to the restroom. I had to hold it for 2 hours until my break began! (Oh dear...)


I'm sorry I have to ask these questions but I need to know whether I should still apply this year.

Do you think it's better for me to take the DAT again?
I don't want to take it again (who would?!) because I don't know if it'll make that much difference...I might get the same average score.

My cumulative GPA is 3.4 and my science GPA is 3.23.
Not that high either.

With the score and the GPA, which schools do I have the best chance at?
Should I take the DAT again?

What should I do?????

Will take any kind of advice, comment, or pat on the shoulder.
Thank you.

 

[whale86]

I think you should give it a shot an apply. None of your scores are below 18 so I don't think there's much to worry about. Yes, nowadays competitive is 20+ but I honestly think your scores are fine! 🙂

Check this link out, it may help you as far as where to apply in terms of "good chance" http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=635046

You could also contact schools that you may be interested in and let me them know of your situation, they are the best people to go to for answers for such questions! 🙂

 

[ToZanarkand]

I am sorry that you didn't get the result you want, but I think you still have the chances to get in dental schools. 19 is what most of schools say from their website.

 

[erk005]

nice all around scores

from Midwestern's website:
Admission Requirements
"Submit competitive scores on the Dental Aptitude Test (DAT). Scores in the area of 18 or higher will be expected for the Academic Average, Reading Comprehension, and Perceptual Ability sections."

http://www.midwestern.edu/Programs_and_Admission/AZ_Dental_Medicine.html


Looks like 18's and up are good. I think the average accepted DAT scores were around 19-20 in 2008 or 2009.

 

[dentalWorks]

The national average for accepted students on the DAT is like 19.3 (which is right around your ally)

I say you have nice scores, very balanced and it seems you have really improved form your first attempt. Please understand that SDN scores are only a small fraction of the actual population. I forgot where I read this from, but I think it was back in 2006 only 8 individuals had a score of 25AA or higher, thats how rare those extreme scores are.

Anyway you look at it 19/19/23 is a good score, may I suggest you apply to 20+ schools this cycle and take some upper level sciences this summer / fall / & spring and try to 4.0 them all, it will really increase your science GPA and strengthen your application in case (god forbid) you don't get in this cycle.

Good luck to you, I would not retake

 

[jasminetea7]

Thank you, everyone!
I feel better now than when I first saw my score.

Anyway you look at it 19/19/23 is a good score, may I suggest you apply to 20+ schools this cycle and take some upper level sciences this summer / fall / & spring and try to 4.0 them all, it will really increase your science GPA and strengthen your application in case (god forbid) you don't get in this cycle.

Good luck to you, I would not retake

Thank you, dentalWorks.
I just wanted to clarify...
Were you suggesting that I should apply to twenty schools or more?

😵 ===> This is my face thinking of how much money it'll cost me to apply to that many schools.

I was thinking of applying to about 6 schools but I guess that's still not a smart move?

 

[Bchance]

Thank you, everyone!
I feel better now than when I first saw my score.




Thank you, dentalWorks.
I just wanted to clarify...
Were you suggesting that I should apply to twenty schools or more?

😵 ===> This is my face thinking of how much money it'll cost me to apply to that many schools.

I was thinking of applying to about 6 schools but I guess that's still not a smart move?

The more schools you apply to, the higher the chance of you getting interviews goes up!... And since your DAT and GPA aren't out of this world, it would be a good idea to apply to ALOT of schools... Face it, would you like to only apply to those 6 schools just to get rejected then have that little feeling if your gut because you know you could have tried harder?.... ( All in all, it will give you a better chance 😀 )

 

[Erhatstil]

you have solid scores and certainly nothing to be disappointed about. i wouldn't retake unless i was absolutely sure i could improve big time. if you spent 3 months studying, took it for a 3rd time and scored a 20AA/20TS would you feel better or disappointed? i bet you'd be disappointed. you'd have to jump into the 22AA before it would make a big difference anyway. 19/19 is a good score and if you apply smart, you should have some interviews.

 

[kaDa]

Your scores are fine. Apply right when the application process opens. As long as your EC's, personal statement, and letters are good, you'll have a very good shot. Good luck.

 

[dentalWorks]

Thank you, everyone!
I feel better now than when I first saw my score.

Thank you, dentalWorks.
I just wanted to clarify...
Were you suggesting that I should apply to twenty schools or more?

😵 ===> This is my face thinking of how much money it'll cost me to apply to that many schools.

I was thinking of applying to about 6 schools but I guess that's still not a smart move?

If you think about it, it will cost you ALOT more if you don't get accepted this cycle and you have to do this all over again. Think about it this way, the faster you get into dental school, the faster you can graduate and earn that DDS... Average DDS salary is what... 80-100k starting, so even tho your applying to 20+ schools, in the long run, its saving you ALOT more.

Use this guide here, it can help you pick out the appropriate schools
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=635046

Actually, the average number of schools applied to per applicant is about 9-10 schools. IMO with your numbers, 6 is way too low.

Good luck to ya

 

[punchdrunk7]

Im with dentalworks on applying to 20+ schools. I had a friend who had a 3.7sci gpa, but got a 17AA (13 on QR) and applied to 24 schools and was accepted to 2 schools, and had 5 interviews simply because of early application, and the number of schools. But 19AA is awesome, 2 above the national avg 17. Here on SDN its nuts how high the scores get. So you should be fine getting in.

 

[jasminetea7]

If you think about it, it will cost you ALOT more if you don't get accepted this cycle and you have to do this all over again. Think about it this way, the faster you get into dental school, the faster you can graduate and earn that DDS... Average DDS salary is what... 80-100k starting, so even tho your applying to 20+ schools, in the long run, its saving you ALOT more.

Actually, the average number of schools applied to per applicant is about 9-10 schools. IMO with your numbers, 6 is way too low.

Thanks for your advice. I was totally wrong for thinking that I'd be safe with just 6 schools. Hahaha.

How did everyone get all that money? Haha Aren't most people pretty much just out of undergrad/unemployed? I've been living with my parents since I graduated and I'm still jobless AND I have college loans to pay off...oh dear..

 

[jasminetea7]

you have solid scores and certainly nothing to be disappointed about. i wouldn't retake unless i was absolutely sure i could improve big time. if you spent 3 months studying, took it for a 3rd time and scored a 20AA/20TS would you feel better or disappointed? i bet you'd be disappointed. you'd have to jump into the 22AA before it would make a big difference anyway. 19/19 is a good score and if you apply smart, you should have some interviews.

You're right.
I don't think I'll retake.
My brain is over-saturated with the DAT stuff and I think I'll probably end up with 19 again... 🙂