DAT RETAKE and ADEA application

[lanay007]

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So i took my DAT two days ago (which i knew i was not ready for) and scored a 17AA. I didnt realize that you have to wait 3 months before retaking the DAT again. So i wont be eligible to retest until JAN 12th 2020. The deadline for one of the schools i want to apply to is JAN 15th. The other schools i want to apply to deadlines are FEB 1st. I wanted to know when I apply will my application show my last DAT score or will it show that my second attempt is processing? or will it show both? Also since i have to wait a 90 day period to retest, do i have to also wait 90 days to request eligibility or can i request eligibility now and then wait until after the 90day period?

 

[ChemistryDentist]

I can't answer all of your questions, but you have to call the schools to let them know you are serious about their programs and are planning to retake the DAT in order to score better. It is a long cycle, but you have to realize the later you take the DAT and are happy with your score, the less the chance you have to get invited for an interview and get an acceptance before the cycle ends.

If it truly is your dream to become a dentist (which I'm sure it is!), you need to evaluate if three months is enough time to study and score better on the exam. Do you have a plan for the next three months on how and what materials you are going to use to study? Have you evaluated what went wrong this time? I only ask because you need to be frank with yourself - if you can't prepare adequately and build the foundations for the exam in three months, it may be best to take a gap year. That way you can take a bit more time to study, improve your score, and potentially work to make some money. Everyone's situation is different though, and others may have different opinions on what you should do. It would also be helpful to share what you used to study with the forums, just so others know going forward the best method of attacking the monstrous DAT.

As for your eligbility question, I'm not entirely sure of the logistics there. Someone better suited than I should answer that.

 

[lanay007]

I can't answer all of your questions, but you have to call the schools to let them know you are serious about their programs and are planning to retake the DAT in order to score better. It is a long cycle, but you have to realize the later you take the DAT and are happy with your score, the less the chance you have to get invited for an interview and get an acceptance before the cycle ends.

If it truly is your dream to become a dentist (which I'm sure it is!), you need to evaluate if three months is enough time to study and score better on the exam. Do you have a plan for the next three months on how and what materials you are going to use to study? Have you evaluated what went wrong this time? I only ask because you need to be frank with yourself - if you can't prepare adequately and build the foundations for the exam in three months, it may be best to take a gap year. That way you can take a bit more time to study, improve your score, and potentially work to make some money. Everyone's situation is different though, and others may have different opinions on what you should do. It would also be helpful to share what you used to study with the forums, just so others know going forward the best method of attacking the monstrous DAT.

As for your eligbility question, I'm not entirely sure of the logistics there. Someone better suited than I should answer that.

I used the DAT destroyer package and took the destroyer summer course. The exam wasnt that bad at all it was just that i lacked speed. There were actually a bunch of BIO questions straight from the destroyer. I was only able to go through the destroyer sections for OC and BIO once. The week of the exam i knew i wasn't ready but instead I tried to convince my self otherwise. i think 3 months would be sufficient because these past two months I have already been studying non stop. Id start studying around 9/10 am and not stop until it was time for bed which was around 9/10 pm with some food breaks in between. I feel as though these past two months helped me build a good foundation and now I can focus strictly on going through the destroyer a bunch of times.

Background: I graduated in may so i dont have any other distractions as far as school goes. The only thing im doing is shadowing once a week for a few hours. Im so adamant about applying this cycle because this is technically my gap year.

 

[knewstance]

Most schools have their classes 100% full after the middle of January and February. The only movement that really goes on by that time is people with multiple deposits and extenuating circumstances. Also, interview invitations are scarcely being sent out during those times. People getting interviews now are scheduling them for late Dec/early Jan. So sure, you can apply but even if you kill the DAT on your 2nd time around the number of spots available for you is limited.

One gap year, two gap years, doesn't really matter. I spent 4. It's fine. Find a good job after you get your application 100% together and just work while you are doing interviews.

Don't get caught up on the 3 months thing. Just take your time and score highly on the DAT then apply next cycle right when it opens.

 

[lanay007]

Most schools have their classes 100% full after the middle of January and February. The only movement that really goes on by that time is people with multiple deposits and extenuating circumstances. Also, interview invitations are scarcely being sent out during those times. People getting interviews now are scheduling them for late Dec/early Jan. So sure, you can apply but even if you kill the DAT on your 2nd time around the number of spots available for you is limited.

One gap year, two gap years, doesn't really matter. I spent 4. It's fine. Find a good job after you get your application 100% together and just work while you are doing interviews.

Don't get caught up on the 3 months thing. Just take your time and score highly on the DAT then apply next cycle right when it opens.

Yes my main concern right now is score well on the DAT. Once I get that out the way everything else will fall right into place.

 

[ChemistryDentist]

I used the DAT destroyer package and took the destroyer summer course. The exam wasnt that bad at all it was just that i lacked speed. There were actually a bunch of BIO questions straight from the destroyer. I was only able to go through the destroyer sections for OC and BIO once. The week of the exam i knew i wasn't ready but instead I tried to convince my self otherwise. i think 3 months would be sufficient because these past two months I have already been studying non stop. Id start studying around 9/10 am and not stop until it was time for bed which was around 9/10 pm with some food breaks in between. I feel as though these past two months helped me build a good foundation and now I can focus strictly on going through the destroyer a bunch of times.

Background: I graduated in may so i dont have any other distractions as far as school goes. The only thing im doing is shadowing once a week for a few hours. Im so adamant about applying this cycle because this is technically my gap year.

That's good to know going forwards - make sure to work on speed and knowing the material for absolute sure! Speed is key, but the more you really know the material, the faster you will go and the higher you will score. Keep up your studying ethic for sure.

Most schools have their classes 100% full after the middle of January and February. The only movement that really goes on by that time is people with multiple deposits and extenuating circumstances. Also, interview invitations are scarcely being sent out during those times. People getting interviews now are scheduling them for late Dec/early Jan. So sure, you can apply but even if you kill the DAT on your 2nd time around the number of spots available for you is limited.

One gap year, two gap years, doesn't really matter. I spent 4. It's fine. Find a good job after you get your application 100% together and just work while you are doing interviews.

Don't get caught up on the 3 months thing. Just take your time and score highly on the DAT then apply next cycle right when it opens.

I agree here for sure. Unfortunately, there aren't many people who are interviewed and accepted now that the cycle is getting further along. That's not to say it doesn't happen of course! You just shouldn't bank on it being you, and working to make yourself look as appealing as possible to dental schools.

Best of luck @lanay007! Keep us posted on how you do.

 

[knewstance]

Yes my main concern right now is score well on the DAT. Once I get that out the way everything else will fall right into place.

Awesome, good to know where your priorities are. Good luck!

 

[lanay007]

That's good to know going forwards - make sure to work on speed and knowing the material for absolute sure! Speed is key, but the more you really know the material, the faster you will go and the higher you will score. Keep up your studying ethic for sure.



I agree here for sure. Unfortunately, there aren't many people who are interviewed and accepted now that the cycle is getting further along. That's not to say it doesn't happen of course! You just shouldn't bank on it being you, and working to make yourself look as appealing as possible to dental schools.

Best of luck @lanay007! Keep us posted on how you do.

Thank you both so much for your input. I really appreciate it and I will definitely keep y'all posted on my progress.

 

[rafacena]

So i took my DAT two days ago (which i knew i was not ready for) and scored a 17AA. I didnt realize that you have to wait 3 months before retaking the DAT again. So i wont be eligible to retest until JAN 12th 2020. The deadline for one of the schools i want to apply to is JAN 15th. The other schools i want to apply to deadlines are FEB 1st. I wanted to know when I apply will my application show my last DAT score or will it show that my second attempt is processing? or will it show both? Also since i have to wait a 90 day period to retest, do i have to also wait 90 days to request eligibility or can i request eligibility now and then wait until after the 90day period?

Hey I am in the same situation as you. I got a 17 AA and am about to retest in a few weeks. Did you find out if the schools can see a DAT score is being processed and wait for us?