My Last try

[Doa110]

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Ok...My situation I don’t think is similar to any body. Probably is the worst of all. I took the DAT for the first time after studying for two months in 2002 and scored 16, and didn't get in. In 2003 I reapplied and re-took the DAT and got two interviews out of three schools that I had applied for, but were put on the hold list for both schools, and at the end I didn't get in. I decided to finish my bachelors and make my credentials stronger. I took the DAT in 2005 and my GOD! I did the same again, so I went a head and withdrew my application before being denied. Since 2005 I have gotten a MS and have worked as a research specialist for a year. I have four years of dental assisting experience which goes back to my undergrad years, and am a Maryland certified. Currently I am microbiologist at a vaccine developing company, but dentistry is my passion and there is not a single day that I don't feel I should have done it. I don't know what to do! I had never taken a DAT prep course and every time I have taken the DAT, I had studied myself

Do you think I still have a chance? I mean realistically?
I have an average GPA, older than probably 90% of applicants, married with a baby, and have taken the DAT three times during the past 7 years. But I can't stop thinking about it. Could you please let me know what you think?

 

[jigabodo]

What is your stat? If you don't mind me asking that is.

 

[Doa110]

NP, but I am not sure what do you mean by my stat. would you help me out?😳

 

[jigabodo]

NP, but I am not sure what do you mean by my stat. would you help me out?😳

I am assuming an average GPA is somewhere between 3.4~3.5ish? Seeing how you've gotten interviews before I am guessing your DAT score cannot be that bad either.

You said you've applied to 3 schools in 2005? In my opinion, that's way too little. SEEING HOW THIS MIGHT BE YOUR LAST CHANCE TO APPLY, I strongly suggest you apply to as many school as possible in the coming cycle.

I am saying this because you've already taken the DAT 3 times and the last time you took it was in 2005. DAT score usually expires in 3 years so the coming cycle will be your last chance before it expires. Now, since you've taken it 3 times you are gonna have trouble retaking it. It is still possible after 3 tries, but you will have to go through a lot of hassle.

I would recommend:

1. Apply to 20+ schools. Incluing schools with many seats and your state school.
2. Apply early.
3. Highlight your EC and non-trad experience in your PS.

Good luck!

 

[Doa110]

OK then may be I have to say my GPA is below average. I have a 3.17 including graduate school. When I got interviews back in 2003, I had a 3.5 and got 17 in my DAT, but I see that it has gotten more competitive as I read through DAT scores and GPA's from other applicants. Do you still think that there is a possibility for me? I also know that I need to get permission from ADA to retake the DAT, which I have already.

 

[jigabodo]

OK then may be I have to say my GPA is below average. I have a 3.17 including graduate school. When I got interviews back in 2003, I had a 3.5 and got 17 in my DAT, but I see that it has gotten more competitive as I read through DAT scores and GPA's from other applicants. Do you still think that there is a possibility for me? I also know that I need to get permission from ADA to retake the DAT, which I have already.

If you can retake it and get a 21+, I think you will be OK.

 

[blankguy]

Doa110,
you've got nothing to lose everything to gain. There are people on SDN who have bad blemishes who mustered the courage to apply and get in to a dental school.

 

[Doa110]

Thank you guys for your feedbacks. I feel a little more hopeful know. I make sure that I register for Kaplan classes this time!

 

[TheWiredNerv]

Doa110,
you've got nothing to lose everything to gain. There are people on SDN who have bad blemishes who mustered the courage to apply and get in to a dental school.

I agree completely, don't give up.

How did you study for the DAT the past times you took it? It took me a while to find an effective studying method for me, I found doing tons of problems and researching any topic in the question stem or answers I didn't know up. This doesn't work for everyone but it worked for me.

 

[predentlsu1]

If you feel that strongly about dentistry definately dont give up. Just examine your study habits for the past 3 test and realize that you have to do something drastically different in studying to improve your scores. The Kaplan prep course may be an option that would help but it really just boils down to putting in the hours studying. I would recommend you get materials such as the Destroyer, Achiever, Topscore, Biology and G-chem textbooks etc. instead of the kaplan course. I think that you can get more for your money by buying several of those review options listed above instead of spending $1000 on the Kaplan course. Just my opinion though.

 

[Doa110]

The past three times I studied the Baronn's DAT and burrowed Kaplan blue book from a friend, plus my undergrad books. This is the first time I am hearing about destroyer, crackDAT, and etc. I came across topscore on ADEA website but I didn't think it would be a good source to study! I thought it's just marketing! So now, I will have my Kaplan package soon since I registered for online classes, I have crackDATPAT and I am planning to buy destroyer, but is destroyer one whole book which includes all the subjects or each subject is in a different book?

 

[jigabodo]

The past three times I studied the Baronn's DAT and burrowed Kaplan blue book from a friend, plus my undergrad books. This is the first time I am hearing about destroyer, crackDAT, and etc. I came across topscore on ADEA website but I didn't think it would be a good source to study! I thought it's just marketing! So now, I will have my Kaplan package soon since I registered for online classes, I have crackDATPAT and I am planning to buy destroyer, but is destroyer one whole book which includes all the subjects or each subject is in a different book?

Don't use Barron's too much. I think the book has quite some mistake in there.

 

[rose786]

Yeah, I would steer clear of Barrons unless you need tips for the pat.

I would say get the following in addition to the Blue Book: Destroyer, Cliffs bio, and lots of practice tests: Achiever, topscore, kaplan tests if you can get them off of someone. Because of Achiever's difficulty, I would do it after topscore.

And to answer your question, the destroyer covers the sciences and QR in one book. There is an extra orgo book, but I think it would be overkill. Anyways, good luck.

 

[toothgirl86]

Also, use the MCAT Kaplan book to study for the biology section. It is a lot more detailed and it has a LOT of stuff that the DAT book doesn't have. It helped me score 2 points higher on my bio section 🙂 Good luck!!

 

[yaseen shaat]

🙂
My situation is similar to yours, only you made a good use of the degree you earned. My suggestion to you is NEVER GIVE UP. You SHOUL study smart this time and give your self enough time to prepare for this HUGE EXAM. I WISH YOU GOOD LUCK.

Ok...My situation I don’t think is similar to any body. Probably is the worst of all. I took the DAT for the first time after studying for two months in 2002 and scored 16, and didn't get in. In 2003 I reapplied and re-took the DAT and got two interviews out of three schools that I had applied for, but were put on the hold list for both schools, and at the end I didn't get in. I decided to finish my bachelors and make my credentials stronger. I took the DAT in 2005 and my GOD! I did the same again, so I went a head and withdrew my application before being denied. Since 2005 I have gotten a MS and have worked as a research specialist for a year. I have four years of dental assisting experience which goes back to my undergrad years, and am a Maryland certified. Currently I am microbiologist at a vaccine developing company, but dentistry is my passion and there is not a single day that I don't feel I should have done it. I don't know what to do! I had never taken a DAT prep course and every time I have taken the DAT, I had studied myself

Do you think I still have a chance? I mean realistically?
I have an average GPA, older than probably 90% of applicants, married with a baby, and have taken the DAT three times during the past 7 years. But I can't stop thinking about it. Could you please let me know what you think?

 

[annie30]

Hi,

After reading your post, I have to say that you seem really determined about going to dental school but just need to really use this last chance to take the DAT wisely. I'm also currently studying for DAT and here's what I'm usuing: DAT Destroyer, Kaplan DAT book , Top score and Acheiver and also Crack PAT and Crack MAth as math has always been my weaker areas. In addition to that this forum has been quite helpful in helping me decide what is the best approach to study for this exam. I will be taking it soon so really hoping all goes well. For me, I think that getting myself familiar ith the actual test format and really doing as many practice problems for each test is the key. I have recently purchaes the crack PAT and math and I have to say it's quite helpful in explaining and in terms of practicing.

I would personally recommend you using all the other recommended material rather than spending that much money on the kaplan course. Also, I have noticed that in the DAT book for kaplan, the bio section is not as good for that I bought Schaum's outline as it's quiet detailed. And just in case you are a bit reluctant on whether destroyer, top score, acheiver and crack DAT is worth or not than all I can say is I felt the same way and now that I am actually learning from it has been really helpful. So I really hope that that will help me acheive the score I'm looking for. Also for those who have already taken the DAT or are planning on taking it within the few months, what would be the best way to study espacially for someone shooting for over 20's per section? Thanks and I hope this helps.

Annie

 

[Doa110]

Hi,

After reading your post, I have to say that you seem really determined about going to dental school but just need to really use this last chance to take the DAT wisely. I'm also currently studying for DAT and here's what I'm usuing: DAT Destroyer, Kaplan DAT book , Top score and Acheiver and also Crack PAT and Crack MAth as math has always been my weaker areas. In addition to that this forum has been quite helpful in helping me decide what is the best approach to study for this exam. I will be taking it soon so really hoping all goes well. For me, I think that getting myself familiar ith the actual test format and really doing as many practice problems for each test is the key. I have recently purchaes the crack PAT and math and I have to say it's quite helpful in explaining and in terms of practicing.

I would personally recommend you using all the other recommended material rather than spending that much money on the kaplan course. Also, I have noticed that in the DAT book for kaplan, the bio section is not as good for that I bought Schaum's outline as it's quiet detailed. And just in case you are a bit reluctant on whether destroyer, top score, acheiver and crack DAT is worth or not than all I can say is I felt the same way and now that I am actually learning from it has been really helpful. So I really hope that that will help me acheive the score I'm looking for. Also for those who have already taken the DAT or are planning on taking it within the few months, what would be the best way to study espacially for someone shooting for over 20's per section? Thanks and I hope this helps.


Annie

Thank you for your feedback. I am actually waitting for my destroyer to arrive. I will start studying as of Monday the 11th. What do you study for RC if I may ask? That is my weakest point.