Get a masters or retake DAT for next dental school application?

[pineapple95.]

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I received my biomedical sciences bachelor’s degree in May 2018 with an overall GPA of 3.89 and a science GPA of 3.75. I took the DAT and got 17 AA the first time and 19 AA the second time (Bio was 15-my lowest). I applied to 18 schools and got only one interview at BU and didn’t get accepted ☹

I am unsure of my next step, Should I retake the DAT and apply with a new score / more shadowing/volunteering / newer recommendation letters or should I get a Master’s degree and reuse my previous test scores? Since it seems impossible for me to do masters and retake DAT at the same time. I keep hearing that people go for a masters when they need to raise their GPA but I think my GPA is fine. If you recommend a masters, what is a good non-thesis masters to strengthen my next dental school application?

I appreciate your thoughts

 

[artist2022]

Retake- the 15 in Bio/19AA is holding you back because your GPA is so high (there's a huge discrepancy, which looks like grade inflation to schools).

You don't need to do a Masters for exactly the reason you listed- your GPAs are fine.

Focus on studying hard to ace the DAT (22+) and continue shadowing/volunteering. As for letters of rec, you can have some new and some old, just make sure the old ones are updated slightly (at least have your writers change the date haha).

Good luck!

 

[OrphanageCaretaker]

I received my biomedical sciences bachelor’s degree in May 2018 with an overall GPA of 3.89 and a science GPA of 3.75. I took the DAT and got 17 AA the first time and 19 AA the second time (Bio was 15-my lowest). I applied to 18 schools and got only one interview at BU and didn’t get accepted ☹

I am unsure of my next step, Should I retake the DAT and apply with a new score / more shadowing/volunteering / newer recommendation letters or should I get a Master’s degree and reuse my previous test scores? Since it seems impossible for me to do masters and retake DAT at the same time. I keep hearing that people go for a masters when they need to raise their GPA but I think my GPA is fine. If you recommend a masters, what is a good non-thesis masters to strengthen my next dental school application?

I appreciate your thoughts

I was literally in your situation. 3.2overall 3.3 science 20DAT and I applied to 15 schools, 1 interview and then rejections to all. I'm currently in a master's to raise up my gpa. I called up schools and met with adcoms and asked them about my app and what improvements I can make. The only "red flag" on my app was my PAT score which was a 16, but every other score was 19/20 or higher. Almost all of them recommended me to raise my GPA and not to worry about my DAT because a 20 is competitive enough and a retake might give me a lower score. Just call and talk to them, they are human. Albeit this is bad timing cause it's minefield with current apps. For you, I'd say retake the DAT and study very well, focus on your mistakes and see what you should improve upon. Just my two cents, I'm not an adcom though. I would not recommend a masters, 100% I'd say retake your DAT and reapply. Curious what your GPA previous to your master's is.

 

[schmoob]

Forget the Masters, save your time and money. All you need is a better DAT.
You have a good GPA. Admissions just want to see a DAT score that is a little more reflective of your good GPA.
Keep studying, you got this.

 

[Hnl7]

I vote for retaking the DAT. How did you study the first time?

 

[pineapple95.]

Retake- the 15 in Bio/19AA is holding you back because your GPA is so high (there's a huge discrepancy, which looks like grade inflation to schools).

You don't need to do a Masters for exactly the reason you listed- your GPAs are fine.

Focus on studying hard to ace the DAT (22+) and continue shadowing/volunteering. As for letters of rec, you can have some new and some old, just make sure the old ones are updated slightly (at least have your writers change the date haha).

Good luck!

Thank you so much for your reply! Best of luck in school 🙂

 

[pineapple95.]

I was literally in your situation. 3.2overall 3.3 science 20DAT and I applied to 15 schools, 1 interview and then rejections to all. I'm currently in a master's to raise up my gpa. I called up schools and met with adcoms and asked them about my app and what improvements I can make. The only "red flag" on my app was my PAT score which was a 16, but every other score was 19/20 or higher. Almost all of them recommended me to raise my GPA and not to worry about my DAT because a 20 is competitive enough and a retake might give me a lower score. Just call and talk to them, they are human. Albeit this is bad timing cause it's minefield with current apps. For you, I'd say retake the DAT and study very well, focus on your mistakes and see what you should improve upon. Just my two cents, I'm not an adcom though. I would not recommend a masters, 100% I'd say retake your DAT and reapply. Curious what your GPA previous to your master's is.

I called some schools and sent out emails but none give me a clear answer and most of them say "It is difficult to pinpoint one reason for any student's final decision and we are unable to provide specific feedback regarding your application"
🙁
I'll definitely be retaking the DAT
I hope everything works out well for you!

 

[pineapple95.]

Forget the Masters, save your time and money. All you need is a better DAT.
You have a good GPA. Admissions just want to see a DAT score that is a little more reflective of your good GPA.
Keep studying, you got this.

Thank you so much!

 

[pineapple95.]

I vote for retaking the DAT. How did you study the first time?

I used Bootcamp for all subjects and Chad's videos for gen chem and orgo. I'm hearing a lot about iprep, it is very expensive but I think it will be worth trying.