Is a DAT retake necessary?

[tehnibby]

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Hey all,

Currently in a Master's program at a dental school (the program is affiliated with both the dental and master's school) and I want to apply for dental afterward. My program is a 2-year so I will be applying this coming cycle. I took the DAT in 2019 when I first applied for dental schools with a 20AA (19 bio, 18 gchem, 19ochem, 19 PAT, 22 QR, 20 RC) and I was wondering if it's recommended that I try and retake the DAT for this cycle? I know my DAT scores are still valid for this cycle as I took it in July. I had a 3.32 cGPA 3.13 sGPA in my undergrad. When I applied in 2019, I was rejected from 5 schools and waitlisted at one. I'm currently getting a 4.0 in my master's, but I'm worried it might not be enough without a retake. I worked as a dental assistant during my gap year in 2019-2020 but I don't have any volunteering hours right now.

Any advice is appreciated!

Thanks

 

[frenzysword]

depends on where you apply to. If you apply to Columbia, then definitely retake, but others do not. So look at the average stats that correlate with your score. Apply broadly and wisely. Use dental explorer, it narrows down where you want to go, then decide whether you want to retake or not. AA 20 is a good score, but higher of course is better. If you are confident that you can get higher than 21, retake DAT is good.

 

[soccerdude53149]

You definitely do not have a bad DAT score! The average at most schools is around 20 but I would recommend applying to as many schools as you can to increase your chances. If you have time and believe you can possibly raise your scores I would do it. Most schools will not care if you retake the DAT!

 

[MLC45]

I worked as a dental assistant during my gap year in 2019-2020 but I don't have any volunteering hours right now.

How did you apply in 2019 without any volunteer hours?? And why haven't you worked on it over the last 2 years? I would focus on that over taking the DAT again.

 

[PerioDont]

Hey all,

Currently in a Master's program at a dental school (the program is affiliated with both the dental and master's school) and I want to apply for dental afterward. My program is a 2-year so I will be applying this coming cycle. I took the DAT in 2019 when I first applied for dental schools with a 20AA (19 bio, 18 gchem, 19ochem, 19 PAT, 22 QR, 20 RC) and I was wondering if it's recommended that I try and retake the DAT for this cycle? I know my DAT scores are still valid for this cycle as I took it in July. I had a 3.32 cGPA 3.13 sGPA in my undergrad. When I applied in 2019, I was rejected from 5 schools and waitlisted at one. I'm currently getting a 4.0 in my master's, but I'm worried it might not be enough without a retake. I worked as a dental assistant during my gap year in 2019-2020 but I don't have any volunteering hours right now.

Any advice is appreciated!

Thanks

Do you have any advisors in your program or in the affiliated dental school admissions committee? I would reach out to them and ask them about the specifics of your application. They would be the most likely to accept you.

I also agree that you need to have more volunteer hours. Do you have strong letters ready?

 

[Voltron2010]

Hey all,

Currently in a Master's program at a dental school (the program is affiliated with both the dental and master's school) and I want to apply for dental afterward. My program is a 2-year so I will be applying this coming cycle. I took the DAT in 2019 when I first applied for dental schools with a 20AA (19 bio, 18 gchem, 19ochem, 19 PAT, 22 QR, 20 RC) and I was wondering if it's recommended that I try and retake the DAT for this cycle? I know my DAT scores are still valid for this cycle as I took it in July. I had a 3.32 cGPA 3.13 sGPA in my undergrad. When I applied in 2019, I was rejected from 5 schools and waitlisted at one. I'm currently getting a 4.0 in my master's, but I'm worried it might not be enough without a retake. I worked as a dental assistant during my gap year in 2019-2020 but I don't have any volunteering hours right now.

Any advice is appreciated!

Thanks

As others have mentioned, increase your volunteer hours, if possible see if your school has any volunteer opportunities there. Since, your school is affiliated with dental program, you may want to talk to the advisors in the dental program and ask them for advised on increasing your chances of being admitted. Be positive with them and with other colleagues and professors in your master program as there is a high probability members of both programs know each other and talk among themselves. If you ask for advice in a sincere, positive and enthusiastic manner, you will greatly increase your chances of being admitted at your present school, because they will like you and remember you. I work at a dental clinic and I can tell you, that how one presents themselves goes a long way. We were looking to hire a hygienist, one day we had to interviews. One had all the credentials, but she appeared cold and self centered during the interview. The others credentials were not as strong as the first candidate, but she came off as enthusiastic and a team player. The enthusiastic candidate was the one hired. Get to know the dental team at your school and make a good impression.