Last date to take DAT?

[predentstud]

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Does anyone know when the last possible date to retake the DAT is before it would be considered too late?? And how does that work if you already send in your application and your first DAT score but you plan on retaking the DAT?? And what if schools are contacting you for interviews even though you might possibly retake your dat?

One more question is how big is the personal statement portion weighed?? I have heard from quite a few of my friends in different dental schools that when schools are calculating weather you get an interview or not that they only look at your residency, GPA, and DAT scores and those will be the factor that decides if you get an interview....unless you don't have a very good GPA or DAT but they think your personal statement is interesting then you could possibly get an interview...anyone heard anything similar??

 

[polarmolar]

good questions, especially the third one..interesting

anyone care to let us know

 

[harrygt]

Does anyone know when the last possible date to retake the DAT is before it would be considered too late?? And how does that work if you already send in your application and your first DAT score but you plan on retaking the DAT?? And what if schools are contacting you for interviews even though you might possibly retake your dat?

One more question is how big is the personal statement portion weighed?? I have heard from quite a few of my friends in different dental schools that when schools are calculating weather you get an interview or not that they only look at your residency, GPA, and DAT scores and those will be the factor that decides if you get an interview....unless you don't have a very good GPA or DAT but they think your personal statement is interesting then you could possibly get an interview...anyone heard anything similar??

Regarding your last paragraph, I hope it is TRUE! I'm done with all parts of my application except personal statement, which I have no clue what to write. Is it already late for turning in? I mean, I know it is early, but I mean is it late to be considered as an early applicant? I'm taking DAT on July, 22nd, and I'm thinking about maybe writting my personal statement after I get my scores. ANy advice or ideas?

 

[polarmolar]

I think you should def get your app finished ASAP. As we move into July you will start to me moving out of the "early" group.

Your DAT date is fine however.

Now, back to the OP's original post....anyone got an answer for us?

 

[TarheelKid24]

Most likely, schools will not be contacting you until you re-take your DAT (unless your scores are already good enough) because they'll want to see how you have improved...

One admissions officer at UNC that came and spoke to our pre-dental society told us that the 3 main factors were GPA, DAT, and the interview. From there, they award "points" based on each of those things. A certain amount of people with the most amount of points are admitted early and then the rest are carried over to the later acceptance dates to be compared with those who are interviewed later. Of course, they take other things into account (such as EC's, dentistry experience, etc.) but this how he explained it to us. So to answer your question, I am guessing they MAINLY look at your GPA and DAT to get an interview although they definitely look at the other stuff because they want a well-rounded individual. Make sure to spend a good amount of time on your PS because if the committee is stuck between you and another applicant who is identical to you, and they admit the other person because they have a better PS, you will be kicking yourself for the next year.


My other advice, do not wait until after July 22 to do your PS!!! It take a lot more time than people realize and you want to make it solid (if not great). Just take time to write it during your study breaks for the DAT.

Good luck.

 

[dentaldentist]

Does anyone know when the last possible date to retake the DAT is before it would be considered too late?? And how does that work if you already send in your application and your first DAT score but you plan on retaking the DAT?? And what if schools are contacting you for interviews even though you might possibly retake your dat?

One more question is how big is the personal statement portion weighed?? I have heard from quite a few of my friends in different dental schools that when schools are calculating weather you get an interview or not that they only look at your residency, GPA, and DAT scores and those will be the factor that decides if you get an interview....unless you don't have a very good GPA or DAT but they think your personal statement is interesting then you could possibly get an interview...anyone heard anything similar??

Well, there is not last possible day to retake the DAT, but the sooner you retake the better. You will need to contact all the schools you are applying to and let them know that you are retaking the exam so they know to hold your application to review again after your new are received. The later in the cycle you retake, the fewer interview slots and seats are available. If schools are contacting you about interviews, great. Let them know you are retaking the DAT, but still go to the interview.

the personal statement really is only a small part of your application, but it can have your an impact. I remember several schools asked me specific questions about my personal statement, so I know it had an impact on my interviewers and probably on their perception on me as a candidate. I wouldn't blow off the essay, but don't stress too much about it. It can help you if you write a great essay and I'm sure it can hurt you if your essay just plain sucks as it will show how much effort you put in.

 

[excusezmoi]

Well, IMO it's best to send everything before end of July. Your not early; your not late. If you have the ADEA book some schools like to have the DAT scores by August 15. It takes 1 to 2 weeks (maybe) for your DAT scores to be sent maybe faster. All I know is that during month of August, schools start inviting and asking for secondary applications. I think that it's better to e-submit already by now, which means your personal statement should go with it. The DAT can prolly go later since you can indicate that you are retaking it later.
In my situation, I think that everything is good to go except for my DAT. I just wanna make sure I do better this time. Since it's e-submitted schools can see the application and my intention of retaking the DAT. I actually knew someone who took DAT around August which I thought was late but he actually got interviews and even got accepted.