Do adcoms look at 2nd/3rd time DATers differently?

[drpharMD]

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Do adcoms hold first time takers of the DAT at a higher level of appeal than those who take the test 2 or 3 times to achieve a high score? Such as if an applicant gets all 21's and a third time applicant gets all 21's. Would the former have a better chance of getting in to a dental school if being compared to each other? There are a lot of high scores on this website, but most of them are 2nd and 3rd time takers. Thoughts?

 

[liriano]

Good question. The answers you'll get are going to be interesting lol

 

[ucla2134]

Do adcoms hold first time takers of the DAT at a higher level of appeal than those who take the test 2 or 3 times to achieve a high score? Such as if an applicant gets all 21's and a third time applicant gets all 21's. Would the former have a better chance of getting in to a dental school if being compared to each other? There are a lot of high scores on this website, but most of them are 2nd and 3rd time takers. Thoughts?

i am praying that they like my score since i am 2nd time taker. About the chance, i do not know. Only admission comittee have the answer

 

[Emmie]

It really depends on "who" is reading your profile. There isn't a set rule for this.

 

[nze82]

It really depends on "who" is reading your profile. There isn't a set rule for this.

And it really depends on which schools you're talking about. I think as long as you haven't taken it more than 3 times you're OK. The main thing they're looking for is improvement. Obviously, if you have taken the DAT 3 times and you haven't shown any improvement, it's not gonna be a plus on your application. However, if you have taken it couple of times and all the sudden there's a major improvement, then they see that you have put in the extra effort and you have worked hard to improve your results, and that's always a positive thing.
If, however, you start taking the test for the 4th or the 5th time, then you should probably rethink your career plans, before adcoms even start commenting on your status.

 

[flampard]

All ur scores will be sent to the schools u applying to! but they will only put in your latest score as their main one! as long as u have a healthy score u should be fine

 

[MasterDebater]

I wonder what happens if you get worse scores the second time around?

 

[4thMolar]

I wonder what happens if you get worse scores the second time around?

Some schools may consider your highest DAT score if you do worse on re-takes. It would be best to contact the schools directly and know for sure though.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=527651