Questions about DAT retake

[thor12]

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So I submitted my app on June 5th and have now received two notifications from schools requesting that I retake the DAT before I'm granted an interview, which is fine since I've already been preemptively studying to retake it (first week of September). I have two questions. First, if I sign up to retake the DAT through the ADA are schools notified or are they not notified until they actually receive my scores? I know I can update my app and say I am planning to retake the DAT but I'm trying the balance the trade-off of having some schools pause my application review if they see I'm retaking the DAT (please tell me if that's dumb or if they don't actually pause it). Second, if a school has already looked at my application and not sent me an interview, will receiving new scores cause them to reexamine my app or will that boat already have sailed? I received a 19 on the DAT, which I know isn't that great compared to everyone on here, but I don't want to sacrifice the benefit of an early application if I don't have to.

*I should clarify maybe that I'm worried that a school, which would otherwise grant me an interview and hasn't reviewed my app yet, won't if they see that I bomb the DAT or do worse than my first score. Not saying I'm going to bomb it that's just a fear of mine. Thanks.

 

[BullGator1004]

My first question is about the schools requesting you retake the DAT before giving you an interview. I've heard it's almost impossible to even get feedback AFTER the cycle is over let alone get feedback DURING the cycle. What schools were kind enough to provide feedback?

 

[thor12]

My first question is about the schools requesting you retake the DAT before giving you an interview. I've heard it's almost impossible to even get feedback AFTER the cycle is over let alone get feedback DURING the cycle. What schools were kind enough to provide feedback?

The university of Kentucky and UCONN both pretty much said " the review board has expressed interest in your application but feel your DAT may not be competitive enough to warrant an interview. They would like to review your new DAT scores before taking further action." When I called them they said they were holding my application until I retake the DAT and can fax them the unofficial scores.

 

[BullGator1004]

That definitely gives you a leg up. Study hard and retake the DAT. You can indicate on your AADSAS app that you've scheduled to retake it, otherwise schools won't know until your new scores are posted.

 

[artist2022]

Soooo I get what you're saying, and will offer my thoughts

First, if I sign up to retake the DAT through the ADA are schools notified or are they not notified until they actually receive my scores? I know I can update my app and say I am planning to retake the DAT but I'm trying the balance the trade-off of having some schools pause my application review if they see I'm retaking the DAT (please tell me if that's dumb or if they don't actually pause it).

So, I don't believe they are notified until you take your test. When you register for your DAT, you select schools, and I think the ADA keeps that to themselves until it gets your unofficial scores. Then it looks everything over, makes them official, and sends them out to those schools. I think if you don't indicate on your app that you're retaking, they will assume you aren't, and will review your app as if you aren't....which leads to your second question of:

Second, if a school has already looked at my application and not sent me an interview, will receiving new scores cause them to reexamine my app or will that boat already have sailed?

If you didn't indicate you were retaking, and thus the schools already reviewed your app, I don't think they'd re-examine your app because you never told them you were retaking/they never expected it. They would just move onto the next applicant in line.

If schools have requested you take the DAT, and you're already planning to, honestly I'd put it on your application. You don't want a school to think you weren't retaking, and then worst case scenario, reject you. Indicating that you're retaking will yes put your application on pause until your scores come in, but that's better than being rejected or waitlisted with your current scores just because schools didn't know you'd be retaking. Hope this makes sense- I'm thinking about it from the other end of your edit, where schools that would've given you an interview had they known you were retaking won't because they didn't know.

tl;dr: If I were you, I'd add it on my app that I was retaking, and study hard to try and improve in every section. Best of luck, you got this!

 

[thor12]

So thanks for all the replies! After contacting several schools and asking them it seems like the best bet is to just put that I'm retaking it. Some schools said they could still grant me an interview prior to the retake (MN) and some said they would pause it (Creighton). But as a whole it seems like I'm better off having a chance later then none if I'm rejected and I don't tell them. So I'll sign up tonight and put in an actual date!

 

[DentlifeKy]

Hey!
So I was actually in this same boat with UK last year, so I know how frustrating it is. I would definitely contact the two who have requested it and let them know that you plan to retake and give them the date that you plan to do so. Then after taking it immediately send them your unofficial scores ( I know UK accepts unofficial for review)!

Also, I’m sure that if you’ve been studying you won’t do worse than you did the first time. Don’t let that bring you down.

Lastly, it’s odd to me that UK asked you to retake it. I have a 19 and haven’t been asked that for this cycle. Not to mention, I know at least two people who got into UK for this next year with lower scores. So strange.

 

[thor12]

Hey!
So I was actually in this same boat with UK last year, so I know how frustrating it is. I would definitely contact the two who have requested it and let them know that you plan to retake and give them the date that you plan to do so. Then after taking it immediately send them your unofficial scores ( I know UK accepts unofficial for review)!

Also, I’m sure that if you’ve been studying you won’t do worse than you did the first time. Don’t let that bring you down.

Lastly, it’s odd to me that UK asked you to retake it. I have a 19 and haven’t been asked that for this cycle. Not to mention, I know at least two people who got into UK for this next year with lower scores. So strange.

Thanks! And ya I'm not sure why? I mean I scored 16 on the gen chem (I hate general chem) but got an 18 on overall science so who knows! But I'll let them know.

 

[DentlifeKy]

Thanks! And ya I'm not sure why? I mean I scored 16 on the gen chem (I hate general chem) but got an 18 on overall science so who knows! But I'll let them know.

Oh yeah, they probably didn’t like the 16.