GOT 17 DAT and I am HAppY!! 3X taker

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awaitsimpatient said:
My results might not seem as competitive as others but believe it or not i am really happy. 🙂 Here are my scores
JULY 2009 ( got permission to take time out of work for 4 weeks to study)Let's say i cared too much about work and my patients//paycheck
PA: 19
QR: 11
RC: 16
BIO:14
GC: 12
OC: 14
TS: 14
AA: 14
** Decided to still apply late December --> All rejections 🙁

NOVEMBER 2010 ( DID NOT get permission from my job to take 6 weeks off to study but i took it anyways and I got FIRED) Lucky me, With this economy without problem i was able to find another job --> I am a Dental Hygienist!!
PA: 19
QR: 12
RC: 17
BIO: 16
GC: 13
OC: 15
TS: 15
AA: 15
**I applied early june before i took exam 2nd time: schools waited for my scores but got all rejections since were still very low

AUGUST 2012 ( lied to the world that i went away on vacation for 10 weeks--> nice vacation at the library -->I didn't want people asking how i did on exam! It's crazy how i lied and got no problem coming back to work. { honesty doesn't work anymore}
PA: 21
QR: 13
RC: 17
BIO: 18
GC: 17
OC: 19
TS: 18
AA: 17
**I am determined to sent out my application first Batch June 2013!!
So i am going to reapply for the THIRD time and i really think i have a chance. After graduation 2009 GPA 3.3 , I took biochemistry I, biochemistry II, Neurophysiology, Biostatistics as a non-degree student to increase Science GPA. My current GPA is 3.65 but when the science GPA is calculated it might be like about 3.1. In addition I had been a dental hygienist for over 5 years, worked with almost all the fields of dentistry and i have over three years of research experience with NYU pearl Network.
Thanks for reading my story, I just wanted to share all this inside me that i can not share with my friends so they don't feel sorry for me. Because i still believe "You are never a looser until you quit trying" :xf: :laugh:
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Great improvement. I hope you get some interviews! I will be applying by then as well!

good luck to both of us.
 
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Congratulations on your improvement. Don't worry that your scores arent as high as others on this forum. I am glad you are proud of your hard work and the score you achieved instead of comparing yourself and your results to others on this forum, which seems to happen ALOT. I hope you get in to a Dental school, DAT scores arent everything. Persistent seems to be the word of choice here and I LOVE it! I think that speaks volumes of how bad you want this. I take the DAT on 28 September. Pray for me and I will pray for you. BTW the last part of your post is so very true. Thanks for sharing
 
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genupe7 said:
congratulations on your improvement. Don't worry that your scores arent as high as others on this forum. I am glad you are proud of your hard work and the score you achieved instead of comparing yourself and your results to others on this forum, which seems to happen alot. I hope you get in to a dental school, dat scores arent everything. Persistent seems to be the word of choice here and i love it! I think that speaks volumes of how bad you want this. I take the dat on 28 september. Pray for me and i will pray for you. Btw the last part of your post is so very true. Thanks for sharing
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t
 
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Thanks! What schools/how many did you apply to the first couple of times? And did you apply to the same ones this time around? If you dont mind me asking
 
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awaitsimpatient said:
Thanks for your positive energy 🙂. GOOD LUCK, let me know how it went
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success is improvement. lot of pppl will give up but u didnt. doing better than what u did b4 is key. i hope ur determination continues and u get in where u want! and consider retaking the dat im sure u will improve yet again! maybe change up the way u study, im sure u can do better!
 
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412smb412 said:
success is improvement. lot of pppl will give up but u didnt. doing better than what u did b4 is key. i hope ur determination continues and u get in where u want! and consider retaking the dat im sure u will improve yet again! maybe change up the way u study, im sure u can do better!
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Thanks
 
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awaitsimpatient said:
Thanks 🙂 for support, taking DAT again? I studied more than 18 hours per day for 8 weeks, I really don't know what other study method i can implement at this point. I took kaplan courses, chads videos,tutors,etc just named. Did it all..MY Dentists and patients will fired me if i take 2 months off from work again to study. I am gonna apply again, and if i get rejected again then I'll contact you so you can show me new method to study.. THanks again:xf:
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sometimes its not the hours but the method. i hope u get in this cycle! good luck!
 
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Do not want to come off as rude or harsh but let me get straight to my point......

With all that studying and the slow pace you work at, I can't see how you will survive passing classes in dental school. You will be forced to produce results and perform reasonably well (passing isn't always easy) on exams/practicals. To me, the way you learn and/or your study methods will not serve you well when you are hit with way more amounts and complex material as you certainly will be in a US dental school. Sure you have made progress but a 17 overall and still a 13 on QR after years of studying doesn't instill a whole lot of confidence within me in regards to your acadmeic abilities.
 
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KillaCam said:
Do not want to come off as rude or harsh but let me get straight to my point......

With all that studying and the slow pace you work at, I can't see how you will survive passing classes in dental school. You will be forced to produce results and perform reasonably well (passing isn't always easy) on exams/practicals. To me, the way you learn and/or your study methods will not serve you well when you are hit with way more amounts and complex material as you certainly will be in a US dental school. Sure you have made progress but a 17 overall and still a 13 on QR after years of studying doesn't instill a whole lot of confidence within me in regards to your acadmeic abilities.
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^

You don't need a 25+ AA but you do need a better strategy than "hope".
 
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killacam said:
do not want to come off as rude or harsh but let me get straight to my point......

With all that studying and the slow pace you work at, i can't see how you will survive passing classes in dental school. You will be forced to produce results and perform reasonably well (passing isn't always easy) on exams/practicals. To me, the way you learn and/or your study methods will not serve you well when you are hit with way more amounts and complex material as you certainly will be in a us dental school. Sure you have made progress but a 17 overall and still a 13 on qr after years of studying doesn't instill a whole lot of confidence within me in regards to your acadmeic abilities.
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i
 
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Even though QR is not that important a 13 will still run into some problems with schools that have a cutoffs.
 
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awaitsimpatient said:
Thanks for reading my story, I just wanted to share all this inside me that i can not share with my friends so they don't feel sorry for me. Because i still believe "You are never a looser until you quit trying" :xf: :laugh:
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I am proud for you, not for your scores to be exact(congrats for your incremental improvement though. Awesome PAT BTW), but how you professionally handled yourself here on the forums about it and how you still seem to have a positive outlook.👍 Keep it up!

The healthcare profession needs people like you! If you ever decide to take the DAT again, you'll have my prayers. I can only imagine you getting a higher score next time.


Good Luck! :luck:
 
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awaitsimpatient said:
still i was able to do very good on all Dental Hygiene courses that were intense and similar to first two years of denta school!
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You can't make this claim; I can guarantee you that hygeine school is nothing like the first two years of dental school. Dental school will be much more difficult.
 
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my dentist actually use to be a Dental Hygienist and she said dental school was way eeasier for her than her fellow classmates cause she already learned half of the stuff as a hygienist.
 
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predentmah said:
my dentist actually use to be a Dental Hygienist and she said dental school was way eeasier for her than her fellow classmates cause she already learned half of the stuff as a hygienist.
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Thanks for your Positive Words... GOOD LUCK on your exam, I am sure you'll do better 🙂 and stay positive. Hey, I will be applying with a 17 and feeling very confident!! Sometimes is NOT about scoring high, high, HIGH all the times but been able to do better than before
 
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thank you 🙂 good luck to you too! and I think as far as dental school goes, you are more prepared than any of us, and hopefully the admission committee will see that too!
 
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Apply to alot of schools just to be safe with your QR scores. I mean I applied to 10 as well. I think the dental hygenist aspect of your resume is appealing to admissions directors, and you do have a good shot. My friend had a low QR score and he got into University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry. His AA was 18, but his PAT score was around 18 as well.
 
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Smurf12 said:
I am proud for you, not for your scores to be exact(congrats for your incremental improvement though. Awesome PAT BTW), but how you professionally handled yourself here on the forums about it and how you still seem to have a positive outlook.👍 Keep it up!

The healthcare profession needs people like you! If you ever decide to take the DAT again, you'll have my prayers. I can only imagine you getting a higher score next time.


Good Luck! :luck:
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So many positive people here 🙂 love it! Thanks
 
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predentmah said:
my dentist actually use to be a Dental Hygienist and she said dental school was way eeasier for her than her fellow classmates cause she already learned half of the stuff as a hygienist.
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Oh sorry. If YOUR dentist said that about a program years ago, it must be true, especially today. My bad.
 
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LaughingGas said:
Just curious. How do you plan on passing ndbe when you can't do well on the DAT?
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Huh? I know plenty of dentists who had 15s, 16s,17s on the DAT who are certified practicing dentists. So I'm not really sure how her getting a 17 directly translates to her not being able to do well on the board exam. I'm just confused by what you may be trying to say. I'm sure she will pass her boards when she gets in. I understand people want to keep it real with others on this forum but sheesh can't people just be happy that someone did better than they did before, In my opinion if you aren't congratulated her for doing better her 3rd time taking it but somehow find a way to be negative then there is a huge problem. just my 2 cents.
 
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I have full faith that a dental school will drill OP until she is basically forced to pass NBDE.
 
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GENUPE7 said:
Huh? I know plenty of dentists who had 15s, 16s,17s on the DAT who are certified practicing dentists. So I'm not really sure how her getting a 17 directly translates to her not being able to do well on the board exam. I'm just confused by what you may be trying to say. I'm sure she will pass her boards when she gets in. I understand people want to keep it real with others on this forum but sheesh can't people just be happy that someone did better than they did before, In my opinion if you aren't congratulated her for doing better her 3rd time taking it but somehow find a way to be negative then there is a huge problem. just my 2 cents.
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I guess I sounded harsher than what I intended to say, so I'll apologize to OP. But knowing what my question meant, I think this is something to think about. There is difference between being realistic and optimistic and my question is a realistic one. If standardized test is an obstacle to overcome,specially timing, I'm wondering how the Op plans on passing the board after completing 1st or 2nd year of dental school. Not only retaking standarized test is a lot of money but if can't continue dental education for not passing board, would be a lot of money involved on dental school tuition.
I don't doubt about the Ops capability on learning materiasl, since he took many upper div bio classes and dental hygiene classes and done well.
Also your argument is invalid b/c you said you know many dentists with 15s 16s 17s on DAT being dentist, because many years ago 17~18 AA guaranteed an entrance. Also you have to factor out that NBDE scoring changed the past few years.
It's ok if I am considered pessimistic bur sometimes you have to be realistic in life, being optimistic doesn't solve all your problems.
 
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LaughingGas said:
I guess I sounded harsher than what I intended to say, so I'll apologize to OP. But knowing what my question meant, I think this is something to think about. There is difference between being realistic and optimistic and my question is a realistic one. If standardized test is an obstacle to overcome,specially timing, I'm wondering how the Op plans on passing the board after completing 1st or 2nd year of dental school. Not only retaking standarized test is a lot of money but if can't continue dental education for not passing board, would be a lot of money involved on dental school tuition.
I don't doubt about the Ops capability on learning materiasl, since he took many upper div bio classes and dental hygiene classes and done well.
Also your argument is invalid b/c you said you know many dentists with 15s 16s 17s on DAT being dentist, because many years ago 17~18 AA guaranteed an entrance. Also you have to factor out that NBDE scoring changed the past few years.
It's ok if I am considered pessimistic bur sometimes you have to be realistic in life, being optimistic doesn't solve all your problems.
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Who's reality? Your reality may not be mine, it's your reality. I know a thing or two about life and sometimes optimism is all WE have when the reality is so grim. The belief that things will/can get better. Also, assuming I was referencing dentists from "many years ago" is a terrible assumption. The dentists I am speaking of graduated in 2008. Maybe that is "many years ago" in your opinion. You are correct the NBDE and DAT have changed and continue to change from year to year, this is something we all know. My point was simply, not to assume someone can't or won't do well in Dental school and subsequently on the boards given their DAT score.
 
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LaughingGas said:
It's ok if I am considered pessimistic bur sometimes you have to be realistic in life, being optimistic doesn't solve all your problems.
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To the OP, congratulations on persevering and finally achieving the scores you wanted.

However, I'm going to have to back LaughingGas fully on this. As an example, in my college science classes, I have many peers who are wholly convinced they are going to get into med or dental school with their 2.3s. These people also have no work ethic and slide by. I've come to believe that these people live in a "magical world" where all things are supposed to be given to them without them having to put any work in. As a different example, another peer of mine (whose GPA is probably more like a 2.7 and who also possesses no work ethic) genuinely thought it would be ample to study LIGHTLY for ONE week this summer for the DAT. Let's just say that she is no longer planning on dentistry.

There is a MASSIVE difference between optimism and realism. I am an unrelenting supporter of realism. I don't ever kid myself.

Before I took my DAT, I told my parents that I was worried I wouldn't do well (because I am NOT an optimist--I'm a realist--and know that I could have ended up with some crappy test that was uber hard). When they asked me what I'd do if I didn't do well, I told them I would probably highly consider a different career path. This wasn't because I don't love dentistry. It's just that sometimes things are supposed to be hard, but they aren't supposed to be nearly impossible. I spent 3 months studying my heart out for the DAT. If that hadn't been enough, maybe I was picking the wrong thing. Maybe God would have been trying to tell me something. Maybe it would have been a sign that my abilities would be better applied to another career.

If my scores were low, I would also be worried about my performance in dental school. I realize that DS will be harder than anything I've done before. It is very daunting and I'm going to work my absolute butt off. Once again, this is my realism kicking in... But, that's just me!

Good luck, awaitsimpatient!
 
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Lol. Ok calm down. There is no where that I'm saying the OP won't do well in dental school. All I'm saying is if he/she gets accepted and has to take boards its best to figure out how to overcome that obstacle, since OP mentioned timing and slow test taker as his weakness. This problem could backfire to OP not only wasting a lot of money, but also time. And lol, not my reality, but the reality that based on Adea dental school guide book 19 AA is average score for the admitted students . Statistics. If not everyone could be in dental school, including myself.

Also as nontrad myself, I really wish best luck to Op.
 
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A little optimism can go a long way but sometimes honesty, however brutal it may seem, is much better than blind hope. I gotta agree with KillaCam with this one... If you studied over three years for DAT and managed to receive only 17 AA and 13 QR, then you will have a very tough time in dental school. Even though you have a decent GPA, it clearly doesn't match your three DAT scores; dental schools are going to be scrutinizing your transcripts. I'm also pretty sure that dental hygiene schools don't come anywhere close to dental schools in terms of course load and stress level. I really admire your dedication and passion for dentistry, and I'm not saying that you won't be receiving any interview invites next year, but just be prepared mentally for the worst... Gluck
 
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GENUPE7 said:
Huh? I know plenty of dentists who had 15s, 16s,17s on the DAT who are certified practicing dentists. So I'm not really sure how her getting a 17 directly translates to her not being able to do well on the board exam. I'm just confused by what you may be trying to say. I'm sure she will pass her boards when she gets in. I understand people want to keep it real with others on this forum but sheesh can't people just be happy that someone did better than they did before, In my opinion if you aren't congratulated her for doing better her 3rd time taking it but somehow find a way to be negative then there is a huge problem. just my 2 cents.
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Thanks, to be HONEST I believe once I am IN. I just need to pass. I AM not a competitive person, I am very happy for those that did well on DAT. I am already exposed to the REAL world and I Know once your are out there, It doesn't matter what you got on DAT! DAT scores doesn't guarantee who will be a good dentists. At the end, most is learned through exposure/ experience in the field! 🙂
 
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LaughingGas said:
Lol. Ok calm down. There is no where that I'm saying the OP won't do well in dental school. All I'm saying is if he/she gets accepted and has to take boards its best to figure out how to overcome that obstacle, since OP mentioned timing and slow test taker as his weakness. This problem could backfire to OP not only wasting a lot of money, but also time. And lol, not my reality, but the reality that based on Adea dental school guide book 19 AA is average score for the admitted students . Statistics. If not everyone could be in dental school, including myself.

Also as nontrad myself, I really wish best luck to Op.
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DO I live my life regretting why I did NOT try again? I understand dental school is NOT easy but lets work on how to get from A to B direction first, then worry how I manage to move on from B to C 🙂
 
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Glimmer1991 said:
To the OP, congratulations on persevering and finally achieving the scores you wanted.

However, I'm going to have to back LaughingGas fully on this. As an example, in my college science classes, I have many peers who are wholly convinced they are going to get into med or dental school with their 2.3s. These people also have no work ethic and slide by. I've come to believe that these people live in a "magical world" where all things are supposed to be given to them without them having to put any work in. As a different example, another peer of mine (whose GPA is probably more like a 2.7 and who also possesses no work ethic) genuinely thought it would be ample to study LIGHTLY for ONE week this summer for the DAT. Let's just say that she is no longer planning on dentistry.

There is a MASSIVE difference between optimism and realism. I am an unrelenting supporter of realism. I don't ever kid myself.

Before I took my DAT, I told my parents that I was worried I wouldn't do well (because I am NOT an optimist--I'm a realist--and know that I could have ended up with some crappy test that was uber hard). When they asked me what I'd do if I didn't do well, I told them I would probably highly consider a different career path. This wasn't because I don't love dentistry. It's just that sometimes things are supposed to be hard, but they aren't supposed to be nearly impossible. I spent 3 months studying my heart out for the DAT. If that hadn't been enough, maybe I was picking the wrong thing. Maybe God would have been trying to tell me something. Maybe it would have been a sign that my abilities would be better applied to another career.

If my scores were low, I would also be worried about my performance in dental school. I realize that DS will be harder than anything I've done before. It is very daunting and I'm going to work my absolute butt off. Once again, this is my realism kicking in... But, that's just me!

Good luck, awaitsimpatient!
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Many of my friends from magical world were planning on dental school too and gave up after taking the DAT the first time around!! Those friends ended up in nursing school at least. But different to my situation I already had a career (Dent Hyg) when i was taking my pre-req with them! I might myself live in a magical world but i know I have what it takes to be a dentist, I don't see myself going for any other career but DENTISTRY!
Thanks, GOOD LUCK on dental school
 
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Where are you planning to apply, I have similar scores and not sure which school would offer an interview?
 
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While I agree being a dental hygienist will give us a leg up in dental school, I do not agree that the course load will be on par with hygiene school.
I remember the stress of hygiene school and how the professors were tough on us but I was still able to work part-time and party on the weekends......I'm pretty sure that's not possible in dental school or to a much lesser degree.
I am going in with the attitude that while yes I know a lot about dentistry I still have a lot to learn! How about you? What's your attitude? You plan to coast by you say?
 
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Msmouth said:
While I agree being a dental hygienist will give us a leg up in dental school, I do not agree that the course load will be on par with hygiene school.
I remember the stress of hygiene school and how the professors were tough on us but I was still able to work part-time and party on the weekends......I'm pretty sure that's not possible in dental school or to a much lesser degree.
I am going in with the attitude that while yes I know a lot about dentistry I still have a lot to learn! How about you? What's your attitude? You plan to coast by you say?
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Well, to be honest while i was in Dental Hygiene school i was Not able to party because i had too many responsibilities such as work full-time (nights) and full-times in school (day)! only sleep 4 hours per day. Dental hygienes was not an easy program, at least for me because I finished my associates degree in TWO and half years only, I was allowed to take pre-req at the same time in addition to den hyg classes : about 12 classes per semester! Program was intense and I managed to do well. I never said Dental School will be easy but I don't really think we should anticipate that i would not do well in dental school because of my poor DAT scores. As a hygienist I know the basics but my brain is starving for MORE!
BTW great DAT scores 🙂, good luck
 
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Sad to say but I know two people who got into dental school last year one got into Boston and one got into Western in CA and they both had 17 on their DAT. You NEVER know! I sometimes feel like its a lottery. Because my best friend had AA 23 and TS 24, and he got rejected from 17 schools two years in a row till finally he got into UCSF last year. Like I said YOU NEVER KNOW till you apply. Good luck to everyone 🙂
 
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