If I plan to retake DAT, should I still submit app with old scores on Jun 1?

[GoHawks18]

Confused about the application process. I am ready to apply June 1 but feel I could improve my DAT if I retook the exam. Is it possible to submit new scores after the application has gone in? I have a not too horrible first score (AA19, TS19, GC19, OC18, BIO18, PA18, QR19, RC22). GPA 3.7, GPAs 3.5.

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[DOC YANKEM]

Yes, you can submit your new DAT scores after submitting your complete application on June 1. There is an option to update your new DAT score on AADSAS portal. There will be 1-3 weeks of verification and clearance after you submit it, which will delay the schools from finding out. I would fax the unofficial DAT score paper to every school you apply to.

 

[GoHawks18]

Yes, you can submit your new DAT scores after submitting your complete application on June 1. There is an option to update your new DAT score on AADSAS portal. There will be 1-3 weeks of verification and clearance after you submit it, which will delay the schools from finding out. I would fax the unofficial DAT score paper to every school you apply to.

Thanks for the clarification. Is there a chance I would be rejected before I get the new scores in? For example, in an ideal world I would study for the DAT after I complete a Calc course that I need to take this summer, meaning a test date in mid to late August.

 

[DOC YANKEM]

Thanks for the clarification. Is there a chance I would be rejected before I get the new scores in? For example, in an ideal world I would study for the DAT after I complete a Calc course that I need to take this summer, meaning a test date in mid to late August.

A minuscule chance you will be rejected. Most likely, you will have to wait for interviews around November or even a few months after that. Good Luck!

 

[GoHawks18]

I'll ask one more, perhaps unanswerable question: Would it be better to take the DAT earlier in the summer to enhance my admission chances?

By taking the Calc course (5 credits) this summer, I will be able to graduate a semester early and save a lot of tuition expense. The course runs Jun 5- Jul 30. I have three weeks free before that class starts, so I suppose I could get a significant amount of study done. I worry that I cannot handle both the Calc course requirments and DAT prep. If I don't get the Calc out of the way, I can still "walk" at graudation, but this one course will be hanging over my head to take at CC in January.

 

[DOC YANKEM]

It's always better to take the DAT earlier, granted that you have fully prepared and feel confident. Hypothetically speaking, if you scored poorly on the DAT, you would have another THREE months to study and retake the DAT in August/September for the third attempt.

Personally, I wouldn't mind taking Calculus and DAT prep at the same time in the summer. However, I am a private math tutor since High School so take my advice with a grain of salt. It would be best to take Calculus in another semester and treat DAT as a full time job. Tread slowly my friend, focus all your efforts on this second DAT attempt so you won't have to waste more time and money on a third attempt. As long as you matriculate on time with all the required courses, with at least a passing grade of C, before dental school starts.

 

[GoHawks18]

One more wrinkle. My test scores from Aug 2016 were not sent to any schools. If I take retake the DAT in late June/early July, can I still submit the application June 1, simply entering in the numbers from the Aug test? I woudn't have to pay the $36 fee to have them sent, would I, since they will be released with the new test?

 

[DOC YANKEM]

One more wrinkle. My test scores from Aug 2016 were not sent to any schools. If I take retake the DAT in late June/early July, can I still submit the application June 1, simply entering in the numbers from the Aug test? I woudn't have to pay the $36 fee to have them sent, would I, since they will be released with the new test?

I'm not too sure about your situation, but I believe you would have to pay the fee to resubmit the Aug 2016 scores to have it official. Unless you still have the unofficial scores on the piece of paper from Prometrics.