DAT scores and I desperately need advice :(

[gotbraces]

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Just took my DAT today and scored,

PA (19)
QR (16)
RC (15)
Biology (17)
GC (20)
OC (25)
TS (19)
AA (19)

GPA (3.81) sGPA (3.71) Good LOR and Shadow/volunteer hours. idk if it matters but English is my second language...

I really feel defeated idk what went wrong 🙁 but I really need help with what I should do, should I signup to take in December? should I call the schools first? What chances do I have to get into Florida schools?

 

[ckgibbs115]

What cycle are you applying for?
If you are applying for the current cycle, your application is gonna be pretty late because its gonna take 2 weeks or so just to transmit the DAT scores. So you might as well see if you get any invites.

If you are looking to apply next year, I would say wait to retake next summer.

 

[melatonin]

All right. I am not at a position to give advises on admission because I am an applicant as well. However, having seen many friends applying and getting invited at dental schools, I can render you some insight on this.

PA (19)
QR (16)
RC (15)
Biology (17)
GC (20)
OC (25)
TS (19)
AA (19)

Looking at your DAT score, No section other than OC is above the average. Even with your 25 OC (which is really good), your other scores that make up AA are really low. Which means that adcom will likely disregard your high performance in OC and might regard it as a score on a "lucky" day. In other words, your scores do not provide sufficient evidence that you have strong academic backgrounds.

I understand English is not your first language. However, when it comes to professional school admission, it is no longer an excuse and no school pities on you for your lack of language skills. Therefore, you need to work on your English (that is something that I am doing as well).

My other advice is that, it is already Mid-September, and knowing that the processing time is approximately 2~3 weeks, you are looking at October for your application to be sent to dental schools. People with decent stats are often rejected if they apply this late. With your DAT score, (especially with such RC score), your chances for interview invites are very slim. If I were you, I would study for DAT, retake it whenever I am ready, score 20+ on all sections and apply the next cycle in June.

You don't have to take my words. But, I see so many rooms for improvement on your application and I would not waste $1000 to get pieces of rejection letters if I were you.

 

[Koalafied]

Just took my DAT today and scored,

PA (19)
QR (16)
RC (15)
Biology (17)
GC (20)
OC (25)
TS (19)
AA (19)

GPA (3.81) sGPA (3.71) Good LOR and Shadow/volunteer hours. idk if it matters but English is my second language...

I really feel defeated idk what went wrong 🙁 but I really need help with what I should do, should I signup to take in December? should I call the schools first? What chances do I have to get into Florida schools?

What's your native language if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Eastcoast24]

I know how you feel. English isn't my native language and I barely made a 17 in RC. To be honest, if you have submitted your AADSAS application and was only waiting on DAT scores to come in, I'd still give it a go. Your GPA is very high and I feel like you have a shot.

 

[Dent35]

i scored a 19 in RC with english being my 4th language. although a 19 is not that great, i would say it's average. Just because my RC is not above a 20 i didn't use the excuse "oh english is not my native language" you want a higher score? practice, practice, practice.
I don't mean to offend anyone but you need to realize that with thousands of applicants the adcoms won't let you slide just because "oh english is not your native language"

but to answer your question, you have a really high GPA, your AA is average, if you are contemplating I would suggest you call the school of your choice and ask them if your QR and RC will hurt you and see what they suggest. good luck 🙂

 

[gotbraces]

What cycle are you applying for?
If you are applying for the current cycle, your application is gonna be pretty late because its gonna take 2 weeks or so just to transmit the DAT scores. So you might as well see if you get any invites.

If you are looking to apply next year, I would say wait to retake next summer.

Thanks for the fast response! Actually my whole application was submitted early June and all the schools were just waiting on my DATs, 4 of the schools actually accept non official scores, which I just turned in and I mean I know that now is considered late but is that according to sdn or what usually happens? I mean I'm 3 months ahead from December 1st so I believe that its more competitive for me now but Im just in the nick of time. Man I sure hope they look at my application as a whole and at least give a chance to explain myself in the interview rather than basing it on a nerve-racking 5 hour exam that flushed my 3 years of hard work down the drain.. I need to keep my faith up and get lucky I guess.. Thanks again!

 

[gotbraces]

All right. I am not at a position to give advises on admission because I am an applicant as well. However, having seen many friends applying and getting invited at dental schools, I can render you some insight on this.

PA (19)
QR (16)
RC (15)
Biology (17)
GC (20)
OC (25)
TS (19)
AA (19)

Looking at your DAT score, No section other than OC is above the average. Even with your 25 OC (which is really good), your other scores that make up AA are really low. Which means that adcom will likely disregard your high performance in OC and might regard it as a score on a "lucky" day. In other words, your scores do not provide sufficient evidence that you have strong academic backgrounds.

I understand English is not your first language. However, when it comes to professional school admission, it is no longer an excuse and no school pities on you for your lack of language skills. Therefore, you need to work on your English (that is something that I am doing as well).

My other advice is that, it is already Mid-September, and knowing that the processing time is approximately 2~3 weeks, you are looking at October for your application to be sent to dental schools. People with decent stats are often rejected if they apply this late. With your DAT score, (especially with such RC score), your chances for interview invites are very slim. If I were you, I would study for DAT, retake it whenever I am ready, score 20+ on all sections and apply the next cycle in June.

You don't have to take my words. But, I see so many rooms for improvement on your application and I would not waste $1000 to get pieces of rejection letters if I were you.

Thanks melatonin! That is exactly what I am hoping the adcoms wont come to believe since I actually experienced a brutal power outage during my PAT and considering my test anxiety was through the roof, it was down hill from there.. it def sucks to know that all my hard work the past 3 years of science classes, keeping a good GPA, research and shadowing can be destroyed be a stupid grade in reading but I guess I have nothing to do other than wait and keep my faith up.. My application was complete aside from my DAT scores and I just submitted them to 4 of my schools that accept unofficial transcripts.

Thanks again for the helpful response!

 

[Koalafied]

[Duplicate post.]

 

[Koalafied]

idk if it matters but English is my second language...

I really feel defeated idk what went wrong 🙁 but I really need help with what I should do, should I signup to take in December? should I call the schools first? What chances do I have to get into Florida schools?

Actually my whole application was submitted early June and all the schools were just waiting on my DATs, 4 of the schools actually accept non official scores, which I just turned in and I mean I know that now is considered late but is that according to sdn or what usually happens?

I mean I'm 3 months ahead from December 1st so I believe that its more competitive for me now but Im just in the nick of time.

Man I sure hope they look at my application as a whole and at least give a chance to explain myself in the interview rather than basing it on a nerve-racking 5 hour exam that flushed my 3 years of hard work down the drain.. I need to keep my faith up and get lucky I guess..

That is exactly what I am hoping the adcoms wont come to believe since I actually experienced a brutal power outage during my PAT and considering my test anxiety was through the roof, it was down hill from there..

it def sucks to know that all my hard work the past 3 years of science classes, keeping a good GPA, research and shadowing can be destroyed be a stupid grade in reading but I guess I have nothing to do other than wait and keep my faith up..

My application was complete aside from my DAT scores and I just submitted them to 4 of my schools that accept unofficial transcripts.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=944048
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=945574
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=901053
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=921807
https://www.prometric.com/en-us/new...ontinue-to-Grow-for-Several-Good-Reasons.aspx
https://www.prometric.com/en-us/EA/Pages/power-outage-guide.aspx

But you do realize there are mature options other than making excuses in the occurrence of a legit, bona fide power outage, right?


Oh btw, I was placed in ESL during elementary school for this bizarre reason. 🙄

 

[gotbraces]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=944048
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=945574
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=901053
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=921807
https://www.prometric.com/en-us/new...ontinue-to-Grow-for-Several-Good-Reasons.aspx
https://www.prometric.com/en-us/EA/Pages/power-outage-guide.aspx

But you do realize there are mature options other than making excuses in the occurrence of a legit, bona fide power outage, right?


Oh btw, I was placed in ESL during elementary school for this bizarre reason. 🙄

If I am understanding you correctly, I can see how you may think that I am trying to make up excuses for my low scores, I only said what happened and how I feel. Besides it does not matter what my "excuses" are because its not like sdn is controlled by adcoms. I made this thread because I need actual help and options not pity. The reference of English being my second language is equivalent to mentioning that I am a minority, in reality it does not make a difference but to adcoms, it definitely goes into consideration. To answer your previous question I am from an African descent and was introduced to English for the first time 6 years ago. Thanks for your helpful links btw!

 

[gotbraces]

I know how you feel. English isn't my native language and I barely made a 17 in RC. To be honest, if you have submitted your AADSAS application and was only waiting on DAT scores to come in, I'd still give it a go. Your GPA is very high and I feel like you have a shot.

Yea that is my situation everything was in a submitted in June.. I sure how hope they take a holistic of my application and not toss it in the trash from a glimpse at my rc and qr.. Thanks for the confidence boost tho!

 

[gotbraces]

i scored a 19 in RC with english being my 4th language. although a 19 is not that great, i would say it's average. Just because my RC is not above a 20 i didn't use the excuse "oh english is not my native language" you want a higher score? practice, practice, practice.
I don't mean to offend anyone but you need to realize that with thousands of applicants the adcoms won't let you slide just because "oh english is not your native language"

but to answer your question, you have a really high GPA, your AA is average, if you are contemplating I would suggest you call the school of your choice and ask them if your QR and RC will hurt you and see what they suggest. good luck 🙂

Thanks for the much needed pep talk! and dang dude thats impressive! but again like I have said in my previous posts I did not mention my "second language situation" for pity purposes but only to show that I am a minority without explicitly saying it. Whether that is right or wrong, adcoms do take a look at that, I was not counting on it but now I'll take anything that helps.

I'll def call the schools up and post what they said to help anyone that maybe in my situation.

 

[shulk]

How much money do you have to burn? Since there is a 99% chance you won't be accepted this cycle, make sure you have enough to afford to retake the DAT and reapply next year before you apply this year for that 1% chance. Also, retake the DAT before June so you don't have to apply so late.

 

[Koalafied]

I made this thread because I need actual help and options not pity.

This.

If I am understanding you correctly, I can see how you may think that I am trying to make up excuses for my low scores, I only said what happened and how I feel. Besides it does not matter what my "excuses" are because its not like sdn is controlled by adcoms. I made this thread because I need actual help and options not pity. The reference of English being my second language is equivalent to mentioning that I am a minority, in reality it does not make a difference but to adcoms, it definitely goes into consideration. To answer your previous question I am from an African descent and was introduced to English for the first time 6 years ago. Thanks for your helpful links btw!

http://www.ada.org/beadentist.aspx
http://dental.ufl.edu/admissions/prospective-students/how-to-get-into-dental-school/
http://dental.ufl.edu/admissions/dmd-program/questions-answers/
http://hoa.health.ufl.edu/category/slideshow/

Why don't you, OP, decide on what you need to do next..... take your pick.....

 

[NMC2010]

Besides it does not matter what my "excuses" are because its not like sdn is controlled by adcoms.

hehehehe...

 

[LFA20]

How much money do you have to burn? Since there is a 99% chance you won't be accepted this cycle, make sure you have enough to afford to retake the DAT and reapply next year before you apply this year for that 1% chance. Also, retake the DAT before June so you don't have to apply so late.

HUH? who are you? god of admission?

 

[Koalafied]

How much money do you have to burn? Since there is a 99% chance you won't be accepted this cycle, make sure you have enough to afford to retake the DAT and reapply next year before you apply this year for that 1% chance. Also, retake the DAT before June so you don't have to apply so late.

HUH? who are you? god of admission?

FTR, that's how it's done.😛

Good luck, OP.👍