I really need your help!!! (Retake?)

[DrCLF]

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Hey guys,

I would really appreciate if you would tell me whether or not I should retake the DAT.

I applied this year and received 2 interviews...waitlisted at one, heard nothing from the other. I believe my extracurriculars/volunteering/dental experience are very solid. ov gpa = 3.2 sci gpa = 3.0 ..In addition to relatively low gpas, I'm quite certain that having my primary application finished in November didn't help my chances!!!!!

DAT:

BIO:19
GC:19
OC:23
RC:19
QR:20
PA:18
TS:20
AA:20

PLEASE TELL ME YOUR THOUGHTS!!!!! THANK YOU!!!

 

[Buccaneer123]

You're sort of at the average mark right now. I would either up your GPA to maybe 3.5, or I would up your DATs to 22/23. Ideally you can work on both, if your extracurriculars and volunteer stuff is solid. But even with a 22/23, your GPA could still use a little work.

Take a few more classes, retake DAT.
Or apply to your state school

 

[huk1985]

Even if you applied early, you would have been borderline anyways. With your somewhat low GPA 21~22 would be safer..

 

[smurf528]

If I were you I would just try to up the GPA. The DAT scores aren't too bad. If you felt like you did well for your first DAT I don't think the scores will be raised much for your second try.

By the way, what schools did you apply to and get interviews at?

 

[doc toothache]

It may be time to upgrade your B.S. to an M.S.

 

[DrCLF]

i actually applied to my state school and arizona...

i will definitely take extra classes, but i'm just not sure whether to take the dat again. after seeing the feedback, i think i'm gonna have to retake as well!

 

[DentalRocks09]

dont listen to these jokers...i think your scores are great..even though ur grades r on the low side..i believe that ur scores are competitive to get into a school..just make sure to apply as early as possible...if u can I would take classes a community college and boost ur gpa as much as possible before the cycle starts...i would apply this yr and finish a 1yr masters program in the meantime just incase, but I think that ur in ok shape to get into a school🙂, but not great but not bad...i would also go speak to reps from different schools to get their perspectives as well

 

[Valigator00]

DON'T RETAKE YOUR DAT. Just work on the GPA, and you will be set. 🙂

 

[Chesnok]

Don't retake...I mean you may retake BUT GPA needs to be in a competitive range anyway like your DAT so raise up your GPA. IMO.

 

[JJBDDS]

I don't think you need to retake the DAT, just increase your GPA with a masters or post bacc. You should also contact the schools you didn't get accepted to and ask them how you can improve.

 

[peerless218]

Hey guys,

I would really appreciate if you would tell me whether or not I should retake the DAT.

I applied this year and received 2 interviews...waitlisted at one, heard nothing from the other. I believe my extracurriculars/volunteering/dental experience are very solid. ov gpa = 3.2 sci gpa = 3.0 ..In addition to relatively low gpas, I'm quite certain that having my primary application finished in November didn't help my chances!!!!!

DAT:

BIO:19
GC:19
OC:23
RC:19
QR:20
PA:18
TS:20
AA:20

PLEASE TELL ME YOUR THOUGHTS!!!!! THANK YOU!!!

Those are great scores!!!!! Don't retake!! You're fine!!! Well even though your PAT is slightly on the lower end of the building but you still have a solid AA!!! Just like what everyone else is saying, up your grade to like a 3.3 or 3.4, you'll be set!!!! Ok I hope you have plenty of community service next to your application

 

[Vicviper]

I think if you applied early, for example the first few weeks in June, you'd be able to get in somewhere. The fact that you got any interviews at all that late shows that schools were interested in you. That you got Wait listed late in the game might mean that the school may have accepted you if there was still space left.

I would suggest not taking the DAT over again, unless you're 100% certain you can get at least an AA 2-3 points higher. Your DAT's are slightly above the average of 19 for being accepted. You know, I was looking at your scores again and I realized that I got like exactly the same scores, other than RC.

Apply EARLY, maybe take another class or so, and I think you'll be fine!

Good luck, and keep on keeping on!

 

[DrCLF]

thanks a lot for your help!!!

i think i'm gonna take a little more time and see if i should retake (my PA score really bothers me!!)

either way, i'm definitely going to enroll in a full load during summer, and possibly a post bacc

 

[flpredent]

Hey guys,

I would really appreciate if you would tell me whether or not I should retake the DAT.

I applied this year and received 2 interviews...waitlisted at one, heard nothing from the other. I believe my extracurriculars/volunteering/dental experience are very solid. ov gpa = 3.2 sci gpa = 3.0 ..In addition to relatively low gpas, I'm quite certain that having my primary application finished in November didn't help my chances!!!!!

DAT:

BIO:19
GC:19
OC:23
RC:19
QR:20
PA:18
TS:20
AA:20

PLEASE TELL ME YOUR THOUGHTS!!!!! THANK YOU!!!

I would really think twice about retaking, but definitely take some classes to up the gpa

AND APPLY EARLY!!

 

[flbarnetum]

Hey guys,

I would really appreciate if you would tell me whether or not I should retake the DAT.

I applied this year and received 2 interviews...waitlisted at one, heard nothing from the other. I believe my extracurriculars/volunteering/dental experience are very solid. ov gpa = 3.2 sci gpa = 3.0 ..In addition to relatively low gpas, I'm quite certain that having my primary application finished in November didn't help my chances!!!!!

DAT:

BIO:19
GC:19
OC:23
RC:19
QR:20
PA:18
TS:20
AA:20

PLEASE TELL ME YOUR THOUGHTS!!!!! THANK YOU!!!

I think you should retake! I'm not sure how much applying earlier will help you...

 

[Waitlisted2009]

.

 

[UCLAzy]

isnt this in the wrong section?

 

[somethinpositiv]

I'm not sure how much applying earlier will help you...

To be young and naive again... sigh...

 

[DentGuy]

First of all, go ahead and call the schools to know exactly what you need to improve on. Beware however, that they could just be bsing you.

In my opinion, you should definitely focus on raising your GPA as most schools have an average gpa of 3.5, and an average science gpa of 3.4. Your DAT scores are okay, but that PAT will drag you down. It's a tough call.

Bottom line, you know how it feels now to be waitlisted/waiting to hear back... not a good feeling!! How badly do you want to avoid this situation next cycle? The ball's back in your court @ this point. Good luck.

 

[UCfan]

I am suprised that you did not get any acceptance with this status. I bet it is because of your low scince GPA.Taking useful high level bio classes such as biochem,microbiology,anatomy, physiology, etc something related to NBDE1 (or helpful for DS). Apply early, you will be fine. If I were u, I think twice to get DAT, since your scores are very good except PAT (Maybe you can get ceramic class or engineering drawing classes to make it up). Good Luck.

 

[bustedgrill]

Good scores, sadly the GPA calls for a retake bud.

 

[DrCLF]

Good scores, sadly the GPA calls for a retake bud.

yeah... i think i might have to because i have so many credits (will be tough to raise gpa)

 

[rewJW]

Only retake if you are willing to take it even more seriously and put even more effort into it. Doc Toothache has the statistics posted on here somewhere, but most retakers actually do worse their second retake (keep in mind that most SDNers seem to better on their retake, myself included, but that we are not a random representative sample of the population).

 

[DrCLF]

Only retake if you are willing to take it even more seriously and put even more effort into it. Doc Toothache has the statistics posted on here somewhere, but most retakers actually do worse their second retake (keep in mind that most SDNers seem to better on their retake, myself included, but that we are not a random representative sample of the population).

that's a good point...i need to figure out how much time i can dedicate to studying

 

[karrotcake]

Just wondering, what was your major?

 

[DrCLF]

Just wondering, what was your major?

engineering

 

[DrCLF]

do you think it is worth taking the dat again just to increase the PA?

 

[Sajitude]

Hey guys,

I would really appreciate if you would tell me whether or not I should retake the DAT.

I applied this year and received 2 interviews...waitlisted at one, heard nothing from the other. I believe my extracurriculars/volunteering/dental experience are very solid. ov gpa = 3.2 sci gpa = 3.0 ..In addition to relatively low gpas, I'm quite certain that having my primary application finished in November didn't help my chances!!!!!

DAT:

BIO:19
GC:19
OC:23
RC:19
QR:20
PA:18
TS:20
AA:20

PLEASE TELL ME YOUR THOUGHTS!!!!! THANK YOU!!!

Your DAT is solid do not wast your time retaking them. Retake or take new classes to boost your GPA and don't forget to apply early. The school you were wait listed at call them and ask how to make your application stronger. Also APPLY EARLY, this is very important.

Good luck