Need cold,real advise--taking dat

[imju85]

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HI GUYS,
First of all, How was you guys' 4th of July?
I just stayed my *** home, looking out of the window trying to understand the structure of kidney and its function (osmolarity pressure etc...).
Yes, as you can see I haven't really had any personal time or human connection (except phone calls) over last 2-3 weeks.

QUESTION 1: when I talked to Prometric (testing center), they said it would take 3-4 weeks for them to send DAT score, IS IT TRUE?

HERE COMES THE PART where I need you guys to be brutally honest and hopefully give me some helpful feedback:

This is my 2nd time applying (my first DAT score was horrible) and this time, I've submitted my application early (june 20th), have been studying for several weeks now etc..

The fact that I'm taking Biochemistry right now (summer session, Tue, Wed, Thurs 3hrs each) at the same time Im studying for DAT is only concern I have but I was able to balance to do both work (since it's only 3rd week in summer session.)

I have about 130hrs till my DAT (taking in July 11th) and I have been taking DAT achiever, destroyer (2008) and Kaplan.. (plan to take Topscore).
Test scores from those are not at the level where I wanted (16-17 in Achiever, 18-19 in Kaplan) and now I'm freaking out.

I'm so under the stress I can't even do simple addition/subtraction and multiplication... I'm seriously thinking about pushing back my DAT date.
The only problem I'll have with that (if I push one week: 7/18) is the fact I have midterm on the same week (7/16) for biochem which will take most of my studying time prepare for that midterm than for DAT. so I'm thinking about taking on 7/25 (saturday) or 7/27 monday but I don't know if it is consider too late to take DAT.

I'm sure you've seen this kind of thread numerous time before but my situation is little different:

(1) I'm an international student--having it said change everything. dental schools look for higher GPA (which I don't have--I have around 3.5 overall 3.3 science) than Resident or Citizen.
(2) This one goes out for everyone but this might be last time I'll be able to apply to dental schools because since I'm an international student and will be no longer in school (graduated in may), if I don't get in to dental school this time (2010 cycle), which means I'll have no sponsor, which means they will possibly deport me (unless I marry someone lol)-- it is now or never..

Sorry about lengthy thread explaining what I'm going through but 3rd perspective really help me see things in different perspective, you know.

I don't think I was very clear about what I need advise on (HARSH, REALITY CHECK ADVISE from Y'all):

5 days till DAT, I don't feel confident (or maybe I'm scare of failing again) and I feel rushed to take the test and thinking about pushing back. I really feel like having little more time will really help me prepare for DAT better you know?

Having Biochemistry class on my side won't be helpful but I gotta do what I gotta do right? so you guys think I should push it back or not? and if I do, do you think my chances of getting interview/accepted will be dramatically lowered since I'm taking it late July??(example, if i take DAT on July 25th, dental schools won't be receiving my scores until mid or late August (Prometric says it takes 3-4 week --> CAN I GET SOME INFO ON THAT, Please??) and they won't consider me as "COMPLETE applicant".

Since I have average GPA (3.5 overall, 3.3 science), my initial strategy was apply early with solid DAT... now I'm split in half whether I should take my chance to have more time (take it on July 25) studying for DAT and aim for higher score OR I should just push myself (although I'm not very confident) to take DAT this SATURDAY (7/11) which will allow me to be considered as complete applicant EARLY but might NOT be a strong applicant because my DAT score is SO-so?

wow, looking at what I've written so far make me realize how lonely I am man (because I have SO MUCH TO SAY)... this is what DAT does to me... I guess... I'll be looking forward to you guys' opinion.

Thanks..

 

[nze82]

HI GUYS,
First of all, How was you guys' 4th of July?
I just stayed my *** home, looking out of the window trying to understand the structure of kidney and its function (osmolarity pressure etc...).
Yes, as you can see I haven't really had any personal time or human connection (except phone calls) over last 2-3 weeks.

QUESTION 1: when I talked to Prometric (testing center), they said it would take 3-4 weeks for them to send DAT score, IS IT TRUE?
Yes! That is true!

HERE COMES THE PART where I need you guys to be brutally honest and hopefully give me some helpful feedback:

This is my 2nd time applying (my first DAT score was horrible) and this time, I've submitted my application early (june 20th), have been studying for several weeks now etc..

The fact that I'm taking Biochemistry right now (summer session, Tue, Wed, Thurs 3hrs each) at the same time Im studying for DAT is only concern I have but I was able to balance to do both work (since it's only 3rd week in summer session.)

I have about 130hrs till my DAT (taking in July 11th) and I have been taking DAT achiever, destroyer (2008) and Kaplan.. (plan to take Topscore).
Test scores from those are not at the level where I wanted (16-17 in Achiever, 18-19 in Kaplan) and now I'm freaking out.
Achiever is harder than the real test, so it's normal to score lower on achiever. I was scoring in the 17-18 range for achiever. So, don't worry about that too much. With KAPLAN, however, the tests are not as hard as achiever and more representative of the real test (Except the PAT section which is somewhat easier in KAPLAN tests). Nevertheless, if you're scoring 18-19 on KAPLAN, you'll probably score the same (or 1-2 higher) on the real exam. I can't guarantee any of this. I'm just giving you feedback based on my own performance on KAPLAN. I scored in the 19-21 range, and I ended up with AA:22 TS:22 on the real exam.

I'm so under the stress I can't even do simple addition/subtraction and multiplication... I'm seriously thinking about pushing back my DAT date.
The only problem I'll have with that (if I push one week: 7/18) is the fact I have midterm on the same week (7/16) for biochem which will take most of my studying time prepare for that midterm than for DAT. so I'm thinking about taking on 7/25 (saturday) or 7/27 monday but I don't know if it is consider too late to take DAT.
I took my DAT last year on July 29th. Ended up with AA:19 TS:20 PA:19. With a GPA of 3.84 to compliment those scores, I only got two interviews from UCLA and UCSF. So, you'll probably get some interviews too, provided that you choose your schools wisely, even if you reschedule your GPA for late July. However, most of the schools that rejected me last year told me that if I consider reapplying for 2010, I should apply earlier to have better chances. So, in summary, taking your DAT in late July wouldn't be too later, but it wouldn't be too early either. However, it's better to reschedule and step into the exam with confidence rather than walking in there and hoping to ace the exam based on chance. If you're this terrified, you need to take some time to study more, build up your confidence, and relax a little. Of course, the decision is yours to make, but if you feel unprepared, then why take the exam?

I'm sure you've seen this kind of thread numerous time before but my situation is little different:

(1) I'm an international student--having it said change everything. dental schools look for higher GPA (which I don't have--I have around 3.5 overall 3.3 science) than Resident or Citizen.
(2) This one goes out for everyone but this might be last time I'll be able to apply to dental schools because since I'm an international student and will be no longer in school (graduated in may), if I don't get in to dental school this time (2010 cycle), which means I'll have no sponsor, which means they will possibly deport me (unless I marry someone lol)-- it is now or never..

Sorry about lengthy thread explaining what I'm going through but 3rd perspective really help me see things in different perspective, you know.

I don't think I was very clear about what I need advise on (HARSH, REALITY CHECK ADVISE from Y'all):

5 days till DAT, I don't feel confident (or maybe I'm scare of failing again) and I feel rushed to take the test and thinking about pushing back. I really feel like having little more time will really help me prepare for DAT better you know?

Having Biochemistry class on my side won't be helpful but I gotta do what I gotta do right? so you guys think I should push it back or not? and if I do, do you think my chances of getting interview/accepted will be dramatically lowered since I'm taking it late July??(example, if i take DAT on July 25th, dental schools won't be receiving my scores until mid or late August (Prometric says it takes 3-4 week --> CAN I GET SOME INFO ON THAT, Please??) and they won't consider me as "COMPLETE applicant".
Having a biochem class doesn't help, but that's a mistake you've already made. You can't go back in time and fix it. So, get over it. Just push back your DAT (if need be) and study some more.

Since I have average GPA (3.5 overall, 3.3 science), my initial strategy was apply early with solid DAT... now I'm split in half whether I should take my chance to have more time (take it on July 25) studying for DAT and aim for higher score OR I should just push myself (although I'm not very confident) to take DAT this SATURDAY (7/11) which will allow me to be considered as complete applicant EARLY but might NOT be a strong applicant because my DAT score is SO-so?
OK! Do not take any chances with your DAT. Submitting an early application with horrible DAT scores on June 1st won't magically grant you admission just because you had an early application. The fact that an applicant has horrible DAT scores is always a concern, no matter how early they apply. Do not settle for low DAT scores, hoping that your early application will compensate for that. The only outcome of this scenario involves early rejection letters. So, focus on improving your DAT scores.

wow, looking at what I've written so far make me realize how lonely I am man (because I have SO MUCH TO SAY)... this is what DAT does to me... I guess... I'll be looking forward to you guys' opinion.

Thanks..

Best of luck👍

 

[Adrop]

Im an international student myself and I actually graduated a couple of months ago. My GPA is around a 3.5 as well and Im taking the DAT in 2 weeks. For them not to deport me I'm taking a year off and working. The Goverment allows you to stay in the country for a whole year to practice in your field of study. After that year is over you have to either leave or be enrolled in a graduate program. So if you don't get in this time around you still have plenty of time so don't worry, on the other hand, if I don't get in I will be deported lol.

 

[ongoingdat]

If I were you, I would push it back. (THat's what I just did last night lol)
I was toooo freaking out and so nervous even though my original was on 28th.. ha;;
And I knew myself too well that I'm not ready to take it...
I havent submit my app. yet.. You are better off on that. I reschedule on 13th of Aug.
For an international student, they either have to have ridiculously high gpa or DAT from what I've seen..
It is up to you when you take it but first You should relax! 🙂

 

[nicz888]

i think you should relax a bit. because if you go in to the testing center with no confident in yourself and acting all nervous, you are not going to perform at your best. so go to gym or get a drink.

i know that you feel like you have to well or it is the end of the world for you.(i feel the same here, my test date is 18 days away), but if do not have a clear mind on the test date, you already fail halfway.

at the end, i think you know where i am getting toward at. and wish you luck. because this is a computerized test.

 

[Innulja]

Just take it easy!!! Even thought if it's not that easy.
My personal opinion on this is pushing it back. Do well in biochem, have an extra week or two for perfecting you DAT stuff and than show up with confidence on the test day.
Most of the schools don't start reviewing applications until mid of August.

 

[imju85]

Thank you nze82, Adrop, ongoingdat, nicz888, and Innulja for all your replies..
I feel like I'm getting tremendous support from y'all (although we just got to know by "THREADING" lol. yeah, I didn't realize until I posted this thread that I feel somewhat relieved by talking with people who KNOW what I'm going through (instead of my friends who don't really give a damn what I'm going through by attempting me to stop studying).. I'm doing jumping jack (is that what you call it? jumping up and down) to get my blood flow..lol I haven't decided what I'm going to do yet but I think i'm leaning more toward pushing back my DAT.... we'll see..
the fact that I'm not doing well as I wanted to do on KAPLAN (as NZE82 mentioned) gave me a reality check that my problem is on fundemental (for example, I'm not really good at GChem especially on acid-base area) because revewing questions/answers of what I got wrong, I will be able to do that exact same or similar patter type of question; but if I get a question that is slightly manipulated or it seems different, I get it wrong....
I guess I have to go back to reading text book....
hopefully studying biochem (some of materials DO overlap but biochem is ridiculously in DETAILS...) will help me understand things better and some of stuff I'll learn in biochem will show up in DAT. lol.

Overall, thank you guys for all your input... it was like a slap in my face (in a good way 🙂) I'll keep you guys updated (just in case you guys want an update) on the crazy road I'm about to take... ahhhhh... we in this together right?

GO US!!!! (except for people who already got in or taken DAT already...)

 

[kponenation]

I have mine on Friday... I was getting nervous at first but now I can't wait to go take it and be done with it.. I'm sure you guys know what I mean.
Good luck everyone...

 

[miedvied]

Push it back. A better score is far more important; if nothing else, it carries over into the next admissions cycle. An early application this year does not carry over.