OMG...after this terrible retake... What should I do now?

[choiboi53]

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I just retook my DAT today for the second time and got lower scores! Especially my RC score that I wanted to improve failed miserably...



1st DAT scores
PAT: 18
QR: 18
RC: 15
Bio: 21
Genchem: 23
Ochem: 23

TS: 22
AA: 20

2nd DAT scores
PAT: 19
QR: 20
RC: 16
Bio: 20
Genchem: 21
Ochem: 19

TS: 20
AA: 19


I applied to 16 schools and my gpa is 3.62 with scigpa: 3.58

my gpa is already calculated and everything so my application is all ready to be sent.
What should I do now??? I am really sick of studying for DAT and don't want to retake again... >.<

 

[dentalWorks]

I just retook my DAT today for the second time and got lower scores! Especially my RC score that I wanted to improve failed miserably...



1st DAT scores
PAT: 18
QR: 18
RC: 15
Bio: 21
Genchem: 23
Ochem: 23

TS: 22
AA: 20

2nd DAT scores
PAT: 19
QR: 20
RC: 16
Bio: 20
Genchem: 21
Ochem: 19

TS: 20
AA: 19


I applied to 16 schools and my gpa is 3.62 with scigpa: 3.58

my gpa is already calculated and everything so my application is all ready to be sent.
What should I do now??? I am really sick of studying for DAT and don't want to retake again... >.<

Your RC went up (15 --> 16) not by much, but yeh, better than going down. The only thing that hurt you this time around are the 2 chemistries (you botched that up).

I wouldn't retake the DAT this year (even if it means you won't get in). You sound pretty frustrated with the studying (and I don't blame you), if you attempt a retake under this mental-exhaustion, you might even do worse.

Ignore the DAT for the time being, and just you get in this cycle. I know this isn't what you wanna hear. Go out and have fun, you didn't do so bad this 2nd attempt (it just wasn't as good as the first time).

 

[Tyrangiel]

Even though your average was lower at least your RC might not be on the automatic cutoff anymore.

 

[soosoolhastam]

I dont think you needed to retake the dat after your first try. If you have a good amount of professional experience(over 100hrs and community service) you should be fine. Now you have to answer why you took it again and what happened.

 

[Freeskier02]

I agree with previous posters in not retaking this year, I think you have a good shot of getting in this year. Just beef up the rest of your application and you should be fine.

 

[Impulse155]

I agree with previous posters in not retaking this year, I think you have a good shot of getting in this year. Just beef up the rest of your application and you should be fine.

Personally with a 20AA and a 3.6+ gpa idk why you retook to begin with. Did you not get in your first try?

 

[dantemac]

I mean, there is a chance that RC score might not make some cutoffs, but just hope for the best. I agree with the others - no need for a retake. You applied broadly, hope for the best. I predict you'll get interviews/acceptances somewhere.

 

[choiboi53]

I dont think you needed to retake the dat after your first try. If you have a good amount of professional experience(over 100hrs and community service) you should be fine. Now you have to answer why you took it again and what happened.

well I called up a lot of schools and some said to retake and some to not... but guess i wanted to raise that RC score that badly that i took the chance... haha just didn't go well... but i have no idea what i would say to the admissions if they asked me what happened... >.<

Personally with a 20AA and a 3.6+ gpa idk why you retook to begin with. Did you not get in your first try?

and this is my first time applying but guess 15 just wasn't going to cut it with dental schools nowadays... especially with reading section... lol so i decided to retake it...

but yea... u guys are right... there really is nothin much i can do about it now i guess... just pray and hope for the best! lol

 

[dentalWorks]

well I called up a lot of schools and some said to retake and some to not... but guess i wanted to raise that RC score that badly that i took the chance... haha just didn't go well... but i have no idea what i would say to the admissions if they asked me what happened... >.<

my friend, you better hope they ask you that because:
(a) it means your sitting at an interview and...
(b) you have a decent answer.... "Well, I wanted to improve on reading, PAT, and math skills. This part of the plan worked out, unfortunately, due to my good science performance on the first take, I didn't spend as much time on the sciences for the 2nd attempt, a costly mistake, one I will sure remedy if a 3rd attempt is needed"

 

[choiboi53]

What do you guys think my chances are of landing an interview? Do you think me taking the DAT twice is going to hurt me at all?

 

[mightyrat]

I dont think you needed to retake the dat after your first try. If you have a good amount of professional experience(over 100hrs and community service) you should be fine. Now you have to answer why you took it again and what happened.

👍

Ugh i was scared about this for you! this is what is scaring me to retake that i wouldnt be able to repeat my science scores...argh i dont want to tell you i told you so but...ugh whatever...you got this!! 👍

 

[beeho]

well I called up a lot of schools and some said to retake and some to not... but guess i wanted to raise that RC score that badly that i took the chance... haha just didn't go well... but i have no idea what i would say to the admissions if they asked me what happened... >.<


16 RC is bare minimum and a few may use 17. I say you have a chance seeing that your other stats are solid.

btw, if you get an interview, say english is your second (third maybe?) language and talk in a strong korean accent. Your alias suggests you might be kroean. lol

i'm jk but that would be a funny story.

 

[choiboi53]

👍

Ugh i was scared about this for you! this is what is scaring me to retake that i wouldnt be able to repeat my science scores...argh i dont want to tell you i told you so but...ugh whatever...you got this!! 👍

haha yea... i was wondering where you were mightyrat lol n yea.. i shoulda just not retaken this exam!! but i was doing so well on my practice tests for reading!! i dunno what happened!! mannn... this suks... but i called some of the schools that i've applied to and they said they take the higher of the two so for those schools... I'm kinda glad... lol

 

[mightyrat]

haha yea... i was wondering where you were mightyrat lol n yea.. i shoulda just not retaken this exam!! but i was doing so well on my practice tests for reading!! i dunno what happened!! mannn... this suks... but i called some of the schools that i've applied to and they said they take the higher of the two so for those schools... I'm kinda glad... lol

Honestly man its whatever! This is such a bogus test and it doesnt accurately tell how "smart" you are lol apply wisely and hope for the best...thats what im doing lol

 

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