Did I totally destroy my chances with my DAT?

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medadvicewanted

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Hello SDNers,

I had some personal circumstances which delayed my DAT until a few days ago (several deaths in my family) even though I had submitted my application in June. No school had denied me yet, but I needed to quickly take the DAT to be considered.

I ended up with
PAT- 19
RC-24
TS-15
AA-17

Aside from this I have 40+ post bachelor credits with a 3.7 GPA as well as a Master's degree with a 3.6 GPA, undergrad GPA was a 3.1. In addition, I believe I have stellar LORs and extracurriculars. Aside from my DAT I think my application is actually pretty strong, but I am under the impression I have no shot. I applied to schools like Midwestern-IL, NYU, Boston U, USC, and others (about 12 schools). Let me know your thoughts, I know schools won't care about circumstances like family deaths, but I hope I have a small chance.
 
Considering that all application materials must be submitted by February 23rd I don't suspect you DAT will arrive in time. Also your TS is really really going to hinder you. Start studying for the DAT again and take it late May/early June. You can even use the experience this year to write in your PS. Good luck and start preparing to apply and take that DAT again!
 
A lot of schools told me March 1st and they take an unofficial DAT scan/fax, thank you for your advice!
 
17 AA is way too low. You're going to need to retake.
 
You will likely get filtered out immediately due to the 15. You don't have any rejections yet because your file isn't reviewed until its complete.
 
yes. your undergrad gpa is below average, your app was complete ungoldly late in the cycle, and I think you know how your DAT looks already. you should begin preparing for the next cycle immediately. Even if dental schools knew about your family situation, all they would see is an applicant who cracked under pressure. Retake and ace the DAT to tell a different story.
 
Yes, that 15 isn't going to do you any favors at all.
 
Your DAT is low and your 3.6 in a master's is unimpressive either, honestly.
 
sumin5924 said:
Your DAT is low and your 3.6 in a master's is unimpressive either, honestly.
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lol thanks for your opinion buddy. I clearly know the DAT is not impressive. However, don't speak on a masters when you don't know where it was done or what the program consisted of (#1 ranked U.S. university) and I have been told by the schools dental school that the GPA is quite competitive lol but thanks for your support! :laugh:
 
medadvicewanted said:
Hello SDNers,

I had some personal circumstances which delayed my DAT until a few days ago (several deaths in my family) even though I had submitted my application in June. No school had denied me yet, but I needed to quickly take the DAT to be considered.

I ended up with
PAT- 19
RC-24
TS-15
AA-17

Aside from this I have 40+ post bachelor credits with a 3.7 GPA as well as a Master's degree with a 3.6 GPA, undergrad GPA was a 3.1. In addition, I believe I have stellar LORs and extracurriculars. Aside from my DAT I think my application is actually pretty strong, but I am under the impression I have no shot. I applied to schools like Midwestern-IL, NYU, Boston U, USC, and others (about 12 schools). Let me know your thoughts, I know schools won't care about circumstances like family deaths, but I hope I have a small chance.
Click to expand...

You're chances are pretty much nil since BU's deadline for taking the DAT was 12-1-2015 and also most of those other schools the latest is 2/1/2016 (MWU is either 1/1 or 2/1). No one has been admitted to BU with a TS under 17 in the past two years so you will have to retake. And the average is a 19.8 for 2014 so I'm assuming its ~20 AA now. Even if you took the DAT and scored a 22 or higher itd still be difficult so late when like 75% of the schools are close to being full!
 
medadvicewanted said:
lol thanks for your opinion buddy. I clearly know the DAT is not impressive. However, don't speak on a masters when you don't know where it was done or what the program consisted of (#1 ranked U.S. university) and I have been told by the schools dental school that the GPA is quite competitive lol but thanks for your support! :laugh:
Click to expand...

You should try to contact that school then maybe they will admit you at this point.
 
Yeah I sent them my *impressive* DAT score lol, I know I messed it up, I was looking for anyone who may have had a similar scenario and landed an interview. I already knew it was a long shot if some of the people bothered to read what I wrote (knew it was late, knew the score was awful, etc) but it's not like I chose it, just had a lot of grief to deal with. Actually Midwestern takes the DAT score until March 1st, I contacted them so maybe theres a SLIM chance.
 
I think you will be fine if you retake the DAT, but you will need to change the way you studied for the DAT, a 15 TS means your science foundation is extremely weak. Most people after they are done studying know their ochem and Gchem inside out. One run through the Dat Destroyer is enough for a 19-20.
 
medadvicewanted said:
lol thanks for your opinion buddy. I clearly know the DAT is not impressive. However, don't speak on a masters when you don't know where it was done or what the program consisted of (#1 ranked U.S. university) and I have been told by the schools dental school that the GPA is quite competitive lol but thanks for your support! :laugh:
Click to expand...
Oh, I was assuming it was a SMP. Regardless, a 3.6 is AVERAGE at best for a master's, "#1 ranked university" or whatnot. Was is it in the sciences? Cause your TS is quite alarming.

Did you do a postbacc after your master's? When were your prereqs done? Personally, I had to refresh myself on the sciences for the DAT. Also, how did you tackle the DAT? I think with everything you've told us, your culmulativeGPA should be around a 3.4, no?
 
I didn't study for the DAT, had several family members die literally in a 3-4 month span. Yes, it was in the sciences, but not basic sciences like gen chem and orgo which I long forgot. No the post bacc was before the masters, yes the cumulative GPA is around that you are correct. It was basically a last ditch effort for this cycle because I am not getting any younger after all the work to make myself competitive again. Pre-reqs were done at least 4 years ago. I had thought I set myself up for a competitive application cycle when the first death occurred and it was downhill from there. Really bizarre and difficult to deal with. I basically just registered for it and took it, surprised I was able to get the 19 PAT and 24 RC.
 
Likkriue said:
I think you will be fine if you retake the DAT, but you will need to change the way you studied for the DAT, a 15 TS means your science foundation is extremely weak. Most people after they are done studying know their ochem and Gchem inside out. One run through the Dat Destroyer is enough for a 19-20.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your at least respectful reply and advice, I appreciate it!
 
The Flossoraptor said:
Why are you currently applying to pharmacy school if you want to be a dentist?

Just curious...
Click to expand...

Been chasing the dream for several years, need to be realistic about it. As you can see I've been an SDN member since 2010...meaning I've been chasing dentistry since then. I may need to move on at some point.
 
Last edited:
From 2012:
medadvicewanted said:
Obviously I am not in prime position to be accepted into medical school and I know this. However, I still strongly desire to get into medical school.
Click to expand...
I think that what you really need to do is sit down and reevaluate your priorities. Still, I don't like to make posts without addressing the question at hand, so my advice is to retake the DAT and apply early this coming application cycle. Really dig through the DAT subforum and look at the study materials people are utilizing (i.e., Bootcamp, Destroyer, Chad's Videos, Feralis' Notes). If you truly dedicate yourself, there's no reason you shouldn't score well.
 
Thanks for the sincere advice, it is likely what I will do, I've pursued dentistry for over 4 years now, so whats one more year. That post was from when I was in undergrad and had not even shadowed a dentist, much less a physician. 4 years later I know what I want to do, but age is a serious factor for me and has forced me to be realistic.
 
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Please accept my condolences, just know that I am here for you. Please don't hesitate to reach out, especially during this difficult time. I lost my grandfather three days before taking my exam so I can relate. That being said, I scored an 18TS and have been told to retake. URM here.
 
I wrote on another thread where you asked, but at this point, it seems like that the DAT will be your weakest point in your application, not to mention how late it is in the cycle now.
If you take 2~3 months and study really hard, I am sure 20AA 20TS is definitely possible, if not higher. If you've done well in masters and post-bach program, there's no reason why you wouldn't do similarly well on DAT as long as you practice. There are great prep materials out there and we are lucky to have them.
 
I can't even imagine how difficult it must've been for you. My deepest condolences.

On the brightside, your cumulative GPA can get you in somewhere with the right DAT. That being said, I would advise you give it your all next cycle and apply everything you have to studying for the DAT. Many on here can provide their personal insight as well on how to best prepare. Personally, I utilized CrackPAT, KBB, Chad's, Destroyer's and AP Bio books.

Best of luck to you!
 
My condolences.

As you have already known, your biggest problem is your DAT. Unfortunately, most dental schools do look at your DAT scores before anything else. That bad first impression won't do you any good.

I hate to say this, but I think the best thing for you to do right now is to not expect any invites or acceptances this year. Just focus on moving on and really get yourself ready for next year. Trust me, when you keep yourself busy, time flies so damn quickly. As you said earlier, "What's one more year?" (Use Chad's Video when studying for DAT. It helped me a lot)

I understand that you were grieving (it is nothing small to be ignored), but you gotta look up! Cuz, it's your future at stake here! Show those dental schools that nothing can stop you from reaching your dreams. Don't use the deaths in your family as an excuse, use it as a tool to showcase your strength! After all, I'm sure those family members who just left you don't want you to fail because of them, right?

I didn't get to a dental school on my first try. I understand that it is not exactly the same with you, but I understand how you may feel that this is going nowhere and you are trapped in a Limbo. I just want to say: Work your a** off and make yourself proud! Put your 100% into it and it will all be worth it!

That being said, I'm actually finishing my second year at MWU-IL and I can't wait to start seeing patients soon. Dental school is awesome, but you gotta hang in there and really give your best shot!

Good luck!
 
Several of the schools on your list have already made enough offers to fill their classes. At this point they have alternate lists full of people they can readily choose from. You are extremely late in the cycle, and your DAT scores are below average. Retake the DAT and try again next cycle. You are only 4 months away anyway, so why not wait?
 
medadvicewanted said:
Hello SDNers,

I had some personal circumstances which delayed my DAT until a few days ago (several deaths in my family) even though I had submitted my application in June. No school had denied me yet, but I needed to quickly take the DAT to be considered.

I ended up with
PAT- 19
RC-24
TS-15
AA-17

Aside from this I have 40+ post bachelor credits with a 3.7 GPA as well as a Master's degree with a 3.6 GPA, undergrad GPA was a 3.1. In addition, I believe I have stellar LORs and extracurriculars. Aside from my DAT I think my application is actually pretty strong, but I am under the impression I have no shot. I applied to schools like Midwestern-IL, NYU, Boston U, USC, and others (about 12 schools). Let me know your thoughts, I know schools won't care about circumstances like family deaths, but I hope I have a small chance.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I think you're ****ed with the DAT. Study hard for a couple of months, re-take, and blow it out of the water.
 
Go read some DAT breakdowns and see exactly how those people utilized resources. Buckle down for one month and study hard. If you really want dentistry, don't settle for anything else
 
1passbbsSHAVE said:
way to put it so bluntly man!
everyone already let him know he blew it. duh
Click to expand...

My bad. First time really posting on this forum and didn't really think to read through the replies to see what's been said. Just saw the topic and decided to jump on it. Either way, being blunt is what made me realize what a ****hole I was in.
 
i still didnt take the DAT, will take it in a few months, but honestly, dont be discouraged. if you get in thats great, but if not, then do the DAT asap by May/June and apply really early. its hard to tell because like some people said here, most seats are already filled. i think if you'll have a high DAT with a solid explanation of why your reapplying, that'll look really good 🙂 use crackthedat and DAT destroyer for a lot of practice, practice, practice!
good luck and im so sorry for your losses. I really admire people like you who would keep applying and trying again despite the obstacles they face. dont let any negative feedback from anyone put you down, you will get in either now or later as long as you have the passion for it, which i think you clearly do
 
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