Need some honesty here!

[RSalha17]

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Just took the DAT and I think I did decent, but I am wondering if I am going to have a good shot at getting into schools with my scores if I apply right when the next cycle opens or if I should plan on taking the test over again before I apply?

GPA 3.4 Science GPA 3.2
Also I still have my senior year to raise my GPA and good amount of science classes left to raise my science GPA.

DAT Scores
PAT 22 (94)
QR 21 (96)
Bio 20 (88)
GC 18 (68)
OC 17 (47)
RC 17 (24)
TS 18 (68)
AA 19 (78)

What do you guys think? My reading comp is really low so I don't know if I'll have to retake it or not? I really appreciate the help, thanks guys!

 

[Jackson-Ave-Dental]

If you get mailed out in the first batch next cycle and if you apply very broadly (willing to travel all over the country) then yes you should have at least a decent chance.

 

[MrAvicii]

Just took the DAT and I think I did decent, but I am wondering if I am going to have a good shot at getting into schools with my scores if I apply right when the next cycle opens or if I should plan on taking the test over again before I apply?

GPA 3.4 Science GPA 3.2
Also I still have my senior year to raise my GPA and good amount of science classes left to raise my science GPA.

DAT Scores
PAT 22 (94)
QR 21 (96)
Bio 20 (88)
GC 18 (68)
OC 17 (47)
RC 17 (24)
TS 18 (68)
AA 19 (78)

What do you guys think? My reading comp is really low so I don't know if I'll have to retake it or not? I really appreciate the help, thanks guys!

Hey so your sGPA is a bit low, your DAT scores are not that bad. a 20 in Bio and a 22 in PAT is very good. The OC and RC scores are pretty low (RC especially.) If you retake you will probably score lower in PAT and QR and you will have to try really hard to maintain the same Bio score. So in essence you would really be retaking to improve OC and RC, while sacrificing everything else in the process. (I dont know if it makes sense to retake and sacrifice all the other sections for RC.)

Personally, if I were you, I would focus on improving the sGPA (thats going to hurt you a lot more than your DAT score) and I would apply as soon as the cycle opens up. A 19 is still a good score (but its best coupled with a high or higher GPA than yours) if you can improve your sGPA to at least a 3.4 or 3.5 then a 19 might suffice. Hope this helps.

 

[katwoman1688]

Keep working on raising the science gpa since you have time left and can! As for your scores, definitely in decent shape if you can raise your gpa up and get in the first batch. However, I would be worried about the 17 oc, 17rc - check schools with cut offs. And with each year getting more and more competitive, I'd re-take if I felt confident that the next time around I could pull up all my scores and not let a single one drop. Another option is apply right away with these scores and if you don't hear in a few months, than email n tell your schools you want to re-take. Or call admissions and ask!

 

[RSalha17]

Thanks guys, the problem is that I work about 40 hours a week and even with cutting down working to 20 hours a week I was only able to study for DAT for 2 weeks (due to my busy work schedule.) To be honest I know for a fact I could raise my scores if I retook the test, because I didn't really study for PAT or math that hard, luckily they just came to me pretty easily. As for the RC, do schools have cut offs that are lower than 18, or do most scores have cut offs that are lower than 17? I was planning on applying to a lot of school and focus on getting the apps in right when AADSAS opens. I have the drive to get into school and I know I will, even if it takes me a couple years to get accepted. Thanks for the words, it is nice to get a general consensus and an idea of where I'm at.

 

[PreDent321]

Since you have time for a retake, I would plan on doing so as you will probably increase your scores across the board as is common with most retakers who had scores similar to yours.

I would quit your job or take a leave of absence for 2 months and just study your asss off. You can still take the exam in June or July, just makes sure you submit your application in early June though.

 

[RSalha17]

But if I submit my app in early june don't they have to wait until they receive my new test scores anyway? Do you think maybe I might be better off just applying really early in the first batch so that way they don't have to wait for my new scores?

 

[MrAvicii]

But if I submit my app in early june don't they have to wait until they receive my new test scores anyway? Do you think maybe I might be better off just applying really early in the first batch so that way they don't have to wait for my new scores?

your sGPA will affect you way more than your DAT will. if you wont get your sGPA up, you probably need a 21AA to seem competitive. but remember what are the odds you will score higher in the weaker areas while maintaining the same or higher score in the strong areas? I suspect with a retake you will get lower scores in PAT and QR (that's almost a guarantee).

Again if you can, I suggest more classes to boost that sGPA.

GPA and sGPA are WAY more important than the DAT. That's a fact.

 

[PreDent321]

But if I submit my app in early june don't they have to wait until they receive my new test scores anyway? Do you think maybe I might be better off just applying really early in the first batch so that way they don't have to wait for my new scores?

Most schools don't review applications in June. I think only Midwestern and LECOM reviewed them in June this cycle. Only some review in July. Most schools start reviewing in August.

The reason why you to need to submit the app before taking the exam is because there are lags and processing times (receiving transcripts, transcripts sitting in the mail room, GPAs getting calculated, schools receiving apps and processing into their system before they're reviewed, etc) and AADSAS will get backed up quickly by mid June which means you can sit in a queue before any processing takes place. Thus, by the time all the processing is completed, you would have taken the DAT and your timing will be early and good.

Note: AADSAS will send your app with/without DAT and LOEs to your schools, and then forward the DAT/LOE when they receive them.