Dat Done : Any shot what so ever???

[Kremlar]

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Hey all, I just took my DAT yesterday and I am soo DEPRESSED... I studied my butt off for 2 months, basically lived like a hermit for those 2 months and nothing I studied was even close to what was on the test.. I read the Kaplan blue book cover to cover many times, supplemented with my chem and bio texts, did topscore, ADA booklet, and nothing helped for what I saw on this test.. The calculations I had to do for GChem and QR were INSANE, no way they could be done in the 45 seconds you have for each, nothing canceled... There were only 2 questions where I didn't have to solve, just give the setup.. Im not making excuses here, whatever, it was hard and I did crappy, I know this... Is it possible that I got the hardest version of this test ever created? Everyone else is telling me there wasn't much calculation involved, I had tons... The Bio had questions that were off the wall - detailed physiology and ecology that I don't know how anyone would have prepared for them.

Anyhow, here are my pathetic scores..

Pa 19
Qr 14 (time ran out doing massive calculations- had to guess on the last 10)
Bio 16
Rc 18
Gchem 14 (calculations were crazy, I marked a lot of them and didnt have time to go back and finish)
Ochem 18

My GPA is a 3.44 My science GPA is 3.5 and my BCP is a 3.9

I already sent in my applications, do I have a shot in hell at getting in somewhere?? I applied to 12 schools... Also, I don't know if I should bother to retake, would it help me right now? I can't retake until January, by then it will be way too late I think. Any advice, comments OTHER than to study and retake, consoling?

 

[huskerslp]

I don't think you have a good chance of getting in anywhere if you do not retake the DATs. I had slightly better science scores than you(OC: 15, GC: 19, B:16) and I did not received any interviews last yr. You should call the dental schools and asked them if it would be too late to retake the DATs in 1/06 and still have a chance of getting in.

 

[Kremlar]

I don't think you have a good chance of getting in anywhere if you do not retake the DATs. I had slightly better science scores than you(OC: 15, GC: 19, B:16) and I did not received any interviews last yr. You should call the dental schools and asked them if it would be too late to retake the DATs in 1/06 and still have a chance of getting in.

Wow, thanks for being honest, I kinda been feeling the same way that im not going to get any interviews and that im screwed because of one test. 4 years of working hard to get good grades down the drain in 4 hours....Hope im wrong, but thanks for the advice.

 

[food4thots]

i had a 21aa/21ts/16pat w/ a 3.07gpa last year.. and only got one interview, and didn't get in. it's really hard to gauge because some people got in with lower scores, but they probably applied much earlier. if u applied early, u might have a shot, but if u just submitted ur application just recently, i think u should retake the test.

with the calculations in chemistry, it's best to round off to easier #'s, it makes it much faster, i think they designed the test that way anyways. i honestly don't think kaplan covers enough for bio, try getting other material.

taking it the 2nd time is always easier. good luck

 

[Kremlar]

i had a 21aa/21ts/16pat w/ a 3.07gpa last year.. and only got one interview, and didn't get in. it's really hard to gauge because some people got in with lower scores, but they probably applied much earlier. if u applied early, u might have a shot, but if u just submitted ur application just recently, i think u should retake the test.

with the calculations in chemistry, it's best to round off to easier #'s, it makes it much faster, i think they designed the test that way anyways. i honestly don't think kaplan covers enough for bio, try getting other material.

taking it the 2nd time is always easier. good luck

Hmm Im shocked, you got a good score on the dat and gpa is good, how many schools did you apply to? My gpa is good, would be much higher if I didnt have this one stinken class I failed almost 10 years ago, eventhough I retook it, AADSAS factored it in anyhow, so that killed my gpa.. so now my gpa is just acceptable, but my DAT score killed me, that was the nail in my coffin.... My applications are in already and sent to the schools by aadsas, most of them are waiting on my secondary fee, which I sent out already and my DAT score, which is gonna make them cash my check, then laugh at me...Unreal... The fact that I have to wait 3 months to take it again also sucks.... I agree the second time will be easier, cause now I know what im going into.. I thought the kaplan and topscore would prepare me for that, but I guess not... The Kaplan was USELESS for bio.... Isnt the average DAT score for most schools 17-18... I have a 16, it's low, but not that far from the average.. im hoping I have a shot in hell... im keeping my fingers (and toes for that matter) crossed..

 

[syn_apse]

your gpa is average so you might get an interview or two from the 12 schools you applied to. however, this application cycle is on pace to be the most competitive ever (adcom's words, not mine), so don't hold your breath. retaking the DATs in january will definitely improve your chances this cycle, but it might be too late to score any offers. the upside of retaking the DATs in january is that you'll have everything ready to go nice and early for the 2007 cycle, if needed. and if you score 18 or better in every section and you'll be golden, i promise!

 

[Kremlar]

your gpa is average so you might get an interview or two from the 12 schools you applied to. however, this application cycle is on pace to be the most competitive ever (adcom's words, not mine), so don't hold your breath. retaking the DATs in january will definitely improve your chances this cycle, but it might be too late to score any offers. the upside of retaking the DATs in january is that you'll have everything ready to go nice and early for the 2007 cycle, if needed. and if you score 18 or better in every section and you'll be golden, i promise!

Most competitive ever huh, can i get any luckier? I guess i'll just have to sweat it out and see how it goes, it's not looking too hot, but what can I do about it... How many different versions of this test are there? Everyone was saying how simple their chem sections and QR sections were (calculation wise) and mine was impossible... Just wondering if I got the "Unlucky" version.. I honestly feel that all the studying in the world wouldnt have helped me... To the point that if I retake, I wouldnt even know where to begin to study for these questions I saw...

 

[food4thots]

i applied to about 17 schools, yeah.. that many.. i didn't turn in all my secondaries though.. yeah.. it really killed my confidence. my gpa would be higher too, but i had a few failed classes that i retook, and they factored that in too.

if things don't work out this cycle, just get ready for the next cycle. i regret waiting for a few months for interviews, and not improving myself by taking classes or doing more volunteer work in the meanwhile.

also, you can look into post-bac programs. it just depends on how much you want it.

keep you fingers crossed and you head up.

 

[Kremlar]

i applied to about 17 schools, yeah.. that many.. i didn't turn in all my secondaries though.. yeah.. it really killed my confidence. my gpa would be higher too, but i had a few failed classes that i retook, and they factored that in too.

if things don't work out this cycle, just get ready for the next cycle. i regret waiting for a few months for interviews, and not improving myself by taking classes or doing more volunteer work in the meanwhile.

also, you can look into post-bac programs. it just depends on how much you want it.

keep you fingers crossed and you head up.

Mind if I ask how many secondaries you turned in? Just curious out of how many you only got the one interview..? I applied to 13 schools, only sent the secondary to 12 of them, I nixxed Maryland due to the new Biochem requirement they stuck in there... Im just hoping they look at my other stuff before they throw my application out based on the dat.. I have a great gpa, but it looks worse because I had 1 bad semester that aadsas factored in that really brought me down, without that one semester with the failing class I would have been at like a 3.8.. and I have a few awards and such, im hoping some of that will help.. Like they say, all you need is one school to let you in to be called Dr... But I know exactly what you mean about your confidence being shot.. My confidence is pretty low, I had such high expectations that I would get into a few schools and be able to pick and choose which suits me the best, now because of my DAT score, it became a matter of if anyone will take me.. Its done with now, so I just have to let it ride and see what happens.. If I get any interviews i'll just have to make sure I wow them... Otherwise, I guess your right, there is a bright side, atleast I have everything done for the next cycle, I just have to do better on the dat and my paperwork is already done, so i can submit it on the first day of the next cycle... Thanks for the feedback and honesty though, i appreciate it.

 

[howui3]

Some schools have a minimun score requirement, for example, for Tufts you need a 15 or better in each section to apply (check out their admissions website). And many schools show that they are looking for a competitive scores which are 18 and above. You should call the schools to make sure they will even look at your application with those scores. But retaking is a must, and doing better is even more important. Focus on your weakest sections, get a personal tutor if you have to it will be worth it when you improve your scores and have much better chances of getting in.

With your stats it's a shot in the dark and if you can afford tossing a thousand or more for the AADSAS application then go ahead, otherwise I recomend retaking the test or wait till text year.

Good luck.

 

[food4thots]

im guessing i turned in bout 7-10 secondaries, but the problem with me was i turned in my secondaries much later.. why? because i had all my eggs on baylor which i interviewed with in december. i was waiting on a response from them. i did it so i could save some money, but it was a big mistake.

 

[Kremlar]

im guessing i turned in bout 7-10 secondaries, but the problem with me was i turned in my secondaries much later.. why? because i had all my eggs on baylor which i interviewed with in december. i was waiting on a response from them. i did it so i could save some money, but it was a big mistake.

Ahh, well with what you said, turning secondaries in later on and all, and you still got one interview, maybe im not THAT bad off just yet.. (trying to be optimistic here..) I sent in my fees already and my dat scores should be sent out within the next 2 weeks, so it's not too late in the game.. even if I can get 2-3 interviews out of the 12, all I need is one to say yes... Hopefully Nova....

 

[Kremlar]

Some schools have a minimun score requirement, for example, for Tufts you need a 15 or better in each section to apply (check out their admissions website). And many schools show that they are looking for a competitive scores which are 18 and above. You should call the schools to make sure they will even look at your application with those scores. But retaking is a must, and doing better is even more important. Focus on your weakest sections, get a personal tutor if you have to it will be worth it when you improve your scores and have much better chances of getting in.

With your stats it's a shot in the dark and if you can afford tossing a thousand or more for the AADSAS application then go ahead, otherwise I recomend retaking the test or wait till text year.

Good luck.

hello Howui3, At this point, I really have nothing to lose, I already sent in my application and secondary fees (I was banking on doing a little better on the dat then I did, granted I should have taken it earlier so if I did poorly (which I did) I could take it again, but that was my mistake) So im out the money either way, now its just a matter of letting it ride and see if I get any interviews from it.. One of two things can happen from here I guess, they can look at my academic record and see i've done well over the past 4 years, but just screwed up on the dat, or they can look at my dat and throw my app out the window... If they give it the consideration to get far enough past my DAT score to look at my whole app, I might have that shot in the dark you were talking about.. if they go right to the dat scores.. im finished... Either way, I still think I should take the dat again, this way if I get an interview (depending on the date), I can say I plan to take it again or took it again and (hopefully) did much better this time... Thanks for the feedback tho..

 

[food4thots]

yeah.. it's best to keep positive!