Just Finished The Dat!!

[QSTYLE]

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First of all, I 'd like to thank all of ya'll in giving me advice and helping me through my DAT exam. Now that I've finished it, i must say, I think i need to retake it. But then I would like to hear any other advice on this.
I graduated from Holy Cross in Mass. in 2002 with:
Major: Mathematics
Minor: Computer Science
Concentration: International Studies

Undergraduate GPA: 2.7

Postbachelor GPA: 3.3

DAT:
Academic Average: 18
Perceptual: 18
Biology: 20
G-Chem: 18
O-Chem: 17
Verbal: 17
Math: 17

I know these scores are kinda sub par and I know it's easy for someone to tell me to take it over again, but you all know how much stress the DAT puts on ya. Should I realistically take it again? any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks

Q

 

[DesiDentist]

QStyle:

Congrats on getting done!! an 18/18 is pretty decent. If you apply early (NOW!), have great recs, and are aggressive in the app process I think you can get in a few schools.

Your majors were very difficult. Much more harder than a typical biology major's. So illustrate that when adcoms ask about your gpa.

It's all about how bad you want it. Show 'em you want it bad.

Good luck,

DesiDentist

 

[ItsGavinC]

QStyle,

Here is an honest evaluation, knowing nothing more than what you've posted.

Your DAT score of 18/18 is borderline average/below average. If you apply early and choose the right schools to apply to, then you may be given several interviews.

If you choose the wrong schools to apply to, then you might be denied by some prior to the secondary stage, and might be denied an interview at others.

In your situation I would say that applying to the right schools is critical. It is also essential that you apply early (get your AADSAS off in the next 2-3 weeks).

If you are not going to retake the DAT, then do your homework on the schools you are applying to. At certain schools you would be a good applicant, while at others you wouldn't get a second look.

Finally, congrats on finishing the DAT! That is an accomplishment in itself, and you should be proud of your efforts.

If you aren't comfortable with your scores, then I would retake the exam. Note that you should STILL send in your AADSAS application, even if you are not taking the exam again for another month or two.

Desi has a valid point regarding your major, however adcoms may never ask you about your GPA because your application may not pass an initial cut. Adcoms are more than interested to hear your story during an interview, but not so excited to hear it prior to that.

Good luck!

 

[ItsGavinC]

Qstyle,

One more thing which you might not want to hear:

Your math score is sub-par, and adcoms might find it interesting that it, along with your major GPA (math) is also low.

Usually adcoms like to see a rise in one or the other, and the DAT is theoretically what that is for.

For example, getting C grades in organic chemistry courses can be overlooked with some relative ease by the adcoms if your DAT organic score was a 24. They figure you applied yourself enough to learn the material.

I'm not sure how a poor/average DAT math score could help you explain your poor math GPA, and vice versa. One of those ought to be higher than it is.

 

[shootin4par]

Q, (if you got the gizmo's from James Bond you'll get it).

Although you're scores aren't amazing, they are bad. I know a lot of people who have gotten into dental schools with those scores, and if you apply early with a good PS and letters of rec Im sure you'll hear from schools. Ofcourse, you will have to choice your schools wisely.
If you need any advice you know where to ask🙂

Best of luck to ya!

 

[LetMeIn]

I think Shooting4par meant to say...

"Although you're scores aren't amazing, they arent bad. "

 

[tinker bell]

I would retake the test if I were you. Unless you have very good letter of recs (from a dean or president of ADA). Your scores are not bad, but it does not guarantee any admissions ticket. My undergrad GPA is about 3.0, and I had better DAT scores, and got rejected the first time around.

You do not want to wait and wait and call, and get nervous when you see other ppl got in on Dec 1, and all u get is denial letters? It can be very depressing to see other kids on this board get all their acceptances+scholarships on Dec 1st.

Buy some old tests (Princeton, old release tests) and practice until Aug, then retake the test. You will get 20 and above, and sleep well until xmas.

 

[QSTYLE]

thanks all, i think im gonna listen to tinkerbell and retake it august..DAMN!!!! hahah its cool though, I just hope I won't go down in any subjects. I swear I aced the organic part! but I appreciate everyone's input on things. best of luck to all of you!

Q

 

[ItsGavinC]

Tink's advice is right on. Lately I think pre-dental students have been foiled by the misconception that dental school is still simple to get into. That just isn't the case anymore.

Sure, we all know (or have heard of) a person here and there getting in with a 3.0 GPA and 17 DAT scores -- but that is few and far between. Trust me, REALLY few and far between.

I'm not trying to be harsh or bitter, but I am speaking partly from personal experience. I had a 3.47 GPA, and a 20/23 score on the DAT. With these numbers, serveral schools rejected me right off the bat, and several more rejected me after filling out out secondaries. Of course, I also got into several schools. This further proves that you need to research the schools you apply to.

Gaining admissions is NOT easy, and is getting more and more difficult each year.

Q, I think you have made a wise choice in retaking the DAT.

 

[tinker bell]

Good luck, make sure you ask around for those old tests. The most important thing is to use the right materials, the DAT doesn't test you anything hard, it's just pressure and game, and of course, be familiar with the right questions
You'll do very well second time around