Low DAT score. What to do

[exes]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I need some help guys. I studied quite a bit for the DAT yet got a 15 today. had a 20 in PAT and 17 in reading however my sciences were 15's which is pathetic!

I was planning on applying this cycle. Money does not matter. Yet, I don't know what to do and would like from you guys to hear what I should do.

Should I study again and take it in 90 days or should I leave it for now and take it again next year (that's what I rather wanna do).

I was planning on applying to roughly 15 dental school. Yet with this low DAT I dont think it's worth it. Will they even look at me or will the computer auotmatically drop me since my DAT is a 15?
My question is now: should I still send out application to a few schools like 4-6 (more or less) just to get on the radar and put my name out there.

A little bit about me to maybe make an answer a bit easier for you guys.

I am an international student from Germany and I am done next semester with my undergrad with a Si.GPA of 3.8 and and overall of 3.7

I have done community hours and shadowing. Additionally, I played soccer for 4 years, am in the bio med club and member of Tri-beta.

Outside of school I am self employed as a musician.

Thanks for your input

 

[Bis-GMA111]

i hate to break it to you, but you may have to throw in the towel, unless you're confident that you can break a 21 when you retake (earliest in september)

i would say apply with your current scores but that 15 is really low dude. anyone else wanna chime in on this?

best of luck with w/e you decide to do. PM me if you need advice

 

[tayloreve]

I wouldn't apply with a 15, but that's just me. I would wait to retake and save your money. You have a great GPA, what happened on the DAT? What resources did you use to study for it?

 

[exes]

I think what happened is that I took all the classes my first 5 semesters and 2 years later when studying for the DAT it was hard for me to get back in it honestly. I just need to study more and harder for my sciences

 

[Fondue]

15 is really low. I say save your money and don't apply this cycle. I wonder if perhaps that you might've struggled a bit since English isn't your first language. Personally, I think since you have a fairly high gpa, you don't need stress yourself out thinking you need 21+ across the board. 19s won't kill your app, IMO. But, I'm not sure how your international status will come into play (or if it even matters to schools, especially private ones).

 

[theleatherwalle]

I would advise you to carefully consider if you are a fit for dentistry.

1. Your GPA and DAT don't match up that is a warning sign that you are taking far too easy a course load, your school is a joke, or you have a very inflated GPA

2. Just like it is difficult to get in with a low GPA and many post bac hours. Dental schools will view your 15 and ask what happened.

3. I actually do advise you to score as high as possible. Also, if your scores do make a dramatic rise. You need an excuse. I was sick blah blah blah, family death...something. If your excuse is you didnt take the test seriously, they are not going to be pleased.

Your stats are high minus the DAT. The question is do you believe you can rock out a good DAT. Weight your options then decide. If you scoring this low with studying, then i would take a little bit of time off and buy any prep material you can.