Great DAT prove you can handle work-load?

[nontrad_predent]

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Hi all,

Hope your week is going well. I'm looking for some quick guidance on my situation. I used the search function a bit and had trouble finding someone with a similar situation- sorry if this has been advised before.

Basically, I already graduated in 2011 (BS Bio; 3.55-o, 3.66-s) w/ all prereqs done. Since then, future schooling plans were put on hold as I had some hindering personal/family problems that arose after graduation to work through.

My situation is better now, however since then I have just been working odd jobs waiting tables, tutoring, and now working as a dental assistant in my family dentist's office (after shadowing for some time he slowly train me to assist). I had also taken some of the recommended ("nonpre-req") classes at my local CC so I don't forget how to study/keep my myself mentally stimulated. However, I took these classes very spaced out (4-10 units a semester) because with what was going on at the time I didn't feel like I could handle taking a full schedule (i.e. 12 units):

2012:
Fall: 4 units [Anatomy (4)]
2013:
Spring: 0 units [no classes taken]
Fall: 7 units [Cell bio (3) + lab (1), Immunology (3)] - these classes were taking at a state university
2014:
Spring: 10 units [Physio (5), Microbio (5)]
Fall: 0 units [no classes taken]
2015:
Spring: 4 units [Statistics (4)]

So my question is where to go from here. Even though I got As in all these classes above, the loads were obviously light. My undergrad semesters/quarters were all full-load, however that was long ago in 2011. I really believe I can handle d-school (as my family/personal situation is much better, and I feel my study habits have become more robust along with it), however based on what I've read here adcoms observe your academic ability as of recent, and so in my case I would have to re-prove I can handle the academic load right? Even despite having a decent undergrad GPA that would show that. Would doing really well on the DAT (>90th percentile which I think I could achieve with enough hard work) show that ? As many of the guides and user feedback on here show, it takes a lot of dedication and strict hard work (i.e. good academic abilities) to get supra-optimal scores on the DAT.

I don't mind taking another year taking full schedules, however I would prefer not if a great DAT or something would suffice. Upper-div. bio classes at my state university for "open university" students (which I would be since I already have a degree) is $295/unit which would add up quickly. But I suppose it's still a drop in the bucket in the big picture so if I need to do it I'll do it.

Everything else about my application is OK (Lots of volunteer hours, some leadership exp), and I could ask LORs from the professors from the above recent classes).

Please advise. Thank you, Peter

 

[hopefuldentistry]

you don't need to take recent classes to show you can handle the load. I have heard of people working for two years and not taking any classes while applying and they got in. It's not like you suddenly became stupid, if you could pull off a 3.6 in college only 3 or 4 years ago I wouldn't worry about "re-proving" yourself. Just do well on the DAT and then from there you can choose a school list. If your DAT score sucks, then apply broadly, if your DAT is awesome, then you can be more selective.

 

[DATtestTho]

Yeah just do well on the DAT and youll get interviews.

 

[ajj70]

Your undergrad GPA is good enough if you get a 20+ on the DAT. The only thing that may be of issue is if a dental school requires one of the classes you took at the CC, they might not accept that class. Anatomy, Biochem and Stats are required at some dental schools. After you take your DAT, call the schools you are interested in applying to and ask them how they would deal with your classes. That would give you time to take them over if needed. I would take your DAT very soon though if you are applying for 2015/2016 cycle.

 

[nontrad_predent]

Thank you guys very much for your advice! That is good to hear. Ajj70, yes I will look into that and contact the schools about the classes, and hopefully will be taking the DAT soon. Thanks again you guys.

Peter

 

[FeralisExtremum]

I'm in a similar situation so I contacted several schools about it. Almost all of them said that having a strong (recent) DAT score would offset concerns about not having any coursework in a while with the exception of Baylor (they told me "not necessarily", and emphasized that they don't like to see gaps in education).

 

[mario0923]

Just kill the DAT you will be fine.

 

[nontrad_predent]

Thank you FeralisExtremum and Mario0923! I will contact the prospective schools to confirm with them.

 

[DentalLonghorn2014]

I'm in a similar situation so I contacted several schools about it. Almost all of them said that having a strong (recent) DAT score would offset concerns about not having any coursework in a while with the exception of Baylor (they told me "not necessarily", and emphasized that they don't like to see gaps in education).

I was told this too. For some reason, Baylor doesn't care too much about the DAT but strongly emphasizes bio classes, community service, and continuing education (post bac or masters).