DAT Done, Advice Needed!!

[lilac922]

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I took the DAT this past august (2013) and did not score well. AA 17. My overall GPA is 3.2 and im graduating with a bachelors this december (2013). I have already applied to about 13 schools. I know i have no chances as of now, but i honestly don't know if i should retake the DAT and ask them to hold my app. It's already too late into the cycle. Should i retake it before next year's cycle? If i do that, i'll have a whole year ahead of me. My advisor told me to apply for a Master's instead. I'm so confused and upset 🙁

Serious advice needed guys.
Thank you all for reading.

 

[Teeths]

I took the DAT this past august (2013) and did not score well. AA 17. My overall GPA is 3.2 and im graduating with a bachelors this december (2013). I have already applied to about 13 schools. I know i have no chances as of now, but i honestly don't know if i should retake the DAT and ask them to hold my app. It's already too late into the cycle. Should i retake it before next year's cycle? If i do that, i'll have a whole year ahead of me. My advisor told me to apply for a Master's instead. I'm so confused and upset 🙁

Serious advice needed guys.
Thank you all for reading.

I would have to say that regardless of what you decide to do concerning the masters... you're going to have to retake the DAT. I feel like a 17 AA isn't going to cut it unless you're an URM (no offense to anyone). So I would let schools know you're planning on retaking it so that you'll still have a chance for some post-dec interviews maybe this cycle. If you do well on the DAT you might not have to do a masters, or if you complete a masters and do well in it (there are 1 year masters programs called SMPs that don't have to be 2 years or thesis-based) you'll definitely have a better chance. Hope that helped some and good luck to you!

 

[lilac922]

I've been so focused on Dentistry that i never looked into a Masters program. If i pursue a master's degree, what kind of fields would dental schools prefer?

 

[y3nd0]

I've been so focused on Dentistry that i never looked into a Masters program. If i pursue a master's degree, what kind of fields would dental schools prefer?

I'm pretty sure they'll carry the same philosophy as with your major: they don't care. In fact, they might even prefer diversity. I am sure it's better to do something you like rather than do something to impress the adcoms. If you are seriously considering a master's degree, take it to your advantage. What I mean by that is that if your GPA is a 3.2 because you bombed a few science courses, try for a science related masters program and knock it out of the park.

Personally, if I were in your shoes, I'd take the year off and study my butt off for the DAT, all the while adding on some EC's, shadowing, work, etc. A master's degree is a two year commitment and if you think the DAT is the only thing holding you back (plenty have gotten in with a 3.2 GPA coupled with a decent DAT score) then I don't think it's worth the investment (both time and money).