Not sure what to do, really need some advice (re-take dat or not)

[BennyFranks]

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ok so I am really not sure what to do and would really appreciate some advice on what to do
I took the dat in september and my scores are..
PAT: 18
QR: 17
RC: 17
BIO: 17
Gen Chem: 19
O Chem: 19
TS: 18
AA: 18

Need to know if i am better off applying as soon as the cycle starts or re-take my dat the second week of July (won't be able to re-take it earlier) then apply right before august

-So my overall gpa is 3.6 and science gpa is 3.45
-I am part of Sigma Alpha Lambda at my school (leadership & honors organization) and project coordinator at Jersey Cares Volunteering, so I have about 400+ hrs of volunteering
-I am a manager at a restaurant (for 5 years) and have interned at a medical lab for 6 months, and work construction and landscaping in the summer
-I was captain of my Basketball team
-I have over 150 hours of shadowing (from 3 different dentists)
-I have an associates degree and bachelors degree in Biology
-I am applying broadly (15-20 schools)

I know the earlier you apply the better, so just wanted your opinions on if I am better of re-taking the dat and applying end of July or keep my current DAT and apply as soon as the cycle opens

 

[Stanelz]

retake

 

[gangazi]

Application should ask you if you intend to or scheduled to retake the DAT exam. Applying asap and updating schools with your new DAT score would be the best bet


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[Medin2017]

Should have asked this months ago. But yes retake or apply to 40 schools

 

[Evolver311]

I'd definitely recommend a retake! I applied during the 2015-2016 cycle with similar DAT scores. Received 2 interviews and no acceptances. Retook the DAT mid-August 2016 and improved greatly in all sections. My app was submitted late July and my DAT scores were verified by late August (making my application officially complete). Received 8 interviews and 5 acceptances. It's certainly possible to receive interviews/acceptances with your current scores, but it's not really on the competitive side. I'd go hard on Destroyer and Bootcamp and crush it come July. It'll look far better to apply mid/late summer with a 22 DAT than to apply early summer with a mediocre DAT. You got this!


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[luisfigo]

Apply Asap, then retake DAT. Do you really want to waste another year of your life just because you didn't want to retake the DAT?

 

[FeralisExtremum]

Either way you'll need to retake, but I suggest submitting the app early and indicating you will be retaking, then following up with schools when you send the updated scores. Ideally, you should have planned to retake before the cycle opened.

 

[MendiT13]

ok so I am really not sure what to do and would really appreciate some advice on what to do
I took the dat in september and my scores are..
PAT: 18
QR: 17
RC: 17
BIO: 17
Gen Chem: 19
O Chem: 19
TS: 18
AA: 18

Need to know if i am better off applying as soon as the cycle starts or re-take my dat the second week of July (won't be able to re-take it earlier) then apply right before august

-So my overall gpa is 3.6 and science gpa is 3.45
-I am part of Sigma Alpha Lambda at my school (leadership & honors organization) and project coordinator at Jersey Cares Volunteering, so I have about 400+ hrs of volunteering
-I am a manager at a restaurant (for 5 years) and have interned at a medical lab for 6 months, and work construction and landscaping in the summer
-I was captain of my Basketball team
-I have over 150 hours of shadowing (from 3 different dentists)
-I have an associates degree and bachelors degree in Biology
-I am applying broadly (15-20 schools)

I know the earlier you apply the better, so just wanted your opinions on if I am better of re-taking the dat and applying end of July or keep my current DAT and apply as soon as the cycle opens

Where are you looking at applying to? Keep in mind that just because you retake, doesn't mean you will do better. I have contacted some advisors at schools and asked about the same thing. I'm applying to TX schools and the majority of them that get in have scored between 18-19AA. I would just see where you fit in and apply to those schools. They look at the overall package, so maybe even reach out to the schools you are looking at and contact admissions about your concerns of your DAT score. I recently retook the DAT, used different study methods and study longer than the first time. I felt good, and came out with the same AA, but raised my PAT 3 points. Do what you feel is best and good luck.

I also heard that if you have average scores, to apply later in the cycle. The people that are applying super early usually are the 4.0 GPAs and 30AA DAT- this advice came from a Texas admissions advisor.

 

[pharoahcairo]

I'd definitely recommend a retake! I applied during the 2015-2016 cycle with similar DAT scores. Received 2 interviews and no acceptances. Retook the DAT mid-August 2016 and improved greatly in all sections. My app was submitted late July and my DAT scores were verified by late August (making my application officially complete). Received 8 interviews and 5 acceptances. It's certainly possible to receive interviews/acceptances with your current scores, but it's not really on the competitive side. I'd go hard on Destroyer and Bootcamp and crush it come July. It'll look far better to apply mid/late summer with a 22 DAT than to apply early summer with a mediocre DAT. You got this!


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Where did you get interviews if you don't mind my asking?