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Really Really Really Low Dat
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retake and apply next cycle
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You're definitely screwed for any school in Canada. If I were you I would travel down to Buffalo or anywhere across the border and retake it soon.... like very soon.
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toothpaste2006 said:
Get the Kaplan DAT study manual, it costs about 60 dollars, they have a practice DAT on a CD. The practice PAT is pretty close to the actual DAT, and you will become familiar with some pitfalls you will encounter. The Kaplan study guide is great and is definately worth it. Check out www.predents.com
Am I a nerd for posting on a friday night?
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pmantz said:
I took Kaplan's course, their PAT tests where a lot easier than the real PAT section. I'm not sure if their CD has harder quizzes, but I'd try and find some other practice tests as well as Kaplans.
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blumnday99 said:
You may be right, I was a big slacker and only studied for about a week for the DAT. I did about the same on the practice test as I did on the actual DAT so I assumed the CD and the actual DAT were pretty equivalent. I found that the format for the CD and the actual DAT were pretty close, and that helped myself as far as timing. Its my own opinion that as long as you can pace yourself you will do fine, its more of a thinking test rather then a medium to express your knowledge. But don't quote me I am a huge slacker.
Althought i did not get accepted i did get interviews at every school i applied to with straight 18 last year. so give it a shot but prepare for the future possibility. there is always a chance. I used kaplan and topscore as well as acheiver. topscore pro seemed closest to the actual DAT. Just do the best you can and dont worry about the outcome as no one knows really what may happen tomorrow. Best of luck to you 🙂
toothpaste2006 said:
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Some schools do not even look at PAT. However, it is a low score. UMKC supposedly doesn't put a lot of energy into PAT. If you are retaking, you will be late into this years cycle before your application gets considered. This looks like a long shot. If you've already paid, go full out and do whatever you can to get considered such as extra LORs, ECs, and contact each school individually to talk over your application. Maybe you have a disability you haven't mentioned.
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I contacted a few schools to ask them how important the PAT score was. More than one told me that they did not pay attention to it b/c they had conducted studies that showed there was little coorelation between performance on the PAT and dental school success. This is not just from the "safe schools." Actully, an admissions counselor at UNC told me that statement specifically. The rest of your scores are competitive enough, although some of the overachievers on here would tell you differently. You need to ask yourself is it worth it to spend so much money to apply? If it is, Pick schools carefully and register to retake ASAP. Would you regret not trying if it meant you would be out of school and practicing one year earlier? If you decide to wait till next year, try to do other things that will boost your admissions possibilities. Like working as a dental assistnat or volunteering in an office several hours a week. THis will help schools look the other way at a low score. Also a final thing to reflect on is how is the rest of your application already? If it is strong, I say take the risk. If it also leans toward the weaker side it might be best to wait a year.
Good luck in whatever you decide to do.
Good luck in whatever you decide to do.
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Thanks a lot Munch... you are probably one person who would make a wonderful dentist and also an amazing human being merely because of the fact that you didnt say "you got no chance" like someone here... I had a lot of personal issues going--family's health and my own-- that really affected my GPA ... in canada considering the way my GPA is calculated.. i am on dean's honor roll, and getting scholarships but i wonder how my GPA was converted on AADSAS.. im lookin into that.. my DAT was bad because I had a close relative in a coma and I wrote it while I spent days and nights at the hospital... so explains my scores.. I did mention all this in my app.. I am retaking the DAT.. I have done dental research out of province at a paid position, had 6000 hours of dental volunteeting, 8 LORs... so I will see what happens... but thanks for your kind words... sometimes thats all you need to feel a little bit stronger after all that has happened.
thanks munch.
thanks munch.
toothpaste2006 said:
You probably should study to re-take. Last year I got a 14 in the QR section and some schools said they wouldn't even consider me unless I had at least 15 in every section. However, I did get an interview at NOVA and am on the alternate lists at NOVA and Creighton. You never know what could happen...
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Not to disagree with others but I think you should try it. The chance is there, and if you don't try you'll never know. Your DAT scores are not 'really' that low to tell you the truth.
The key to is to apply as early as possible. Like others said, take the american DAT and don't wait for the Canadian DAT.
The key to is to apply as early as possible. Like others said, take the american DAT and don't wait for the Canadian DAT.
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toothpaste2006 said:
Thank you as well for you kind words. Everyone on here is worried about their chances of getting in and I hate when others prematuraly shoot someones dreams down without knowing any of the circumstances. 6000 hours....wow that is amazing and it must mean something. You must also remember that those on here are your competitors and unfortnatly that means some are probably trying to get you to give up....the fewer people they have to compete with the better. Don't ever give up on a dream. Believe in yourself and then fight for it. i hope that everything works out for you in the end as you sound like someone who truely wants to be in this profession for the right reason.
GOOD LUCK to you and to everyone else on SDN fighting to achieve their goals!
You've already applied and gone through all of the AADSAS thing...you've got nothing to lose by trying and seeing what happens. Your GPA is good and that is a strong point, but your PAT score is so low that you would probably not even be considered. You should call the schools and tell them that you are planning to retake and tell them to put your application on hold until Nov.
But that is very late in the cycle, so just see what happens. But I would get a back-up plan, take the Kaplan course and study PAT like crazy until then.
Don't be too upset if it doesn't work out this cycle. If this is something that you really want to do, you'll find a way to make it work. 🙂
But that is very late in the cycle, so just see what happens. But I would get a back-up plan, take the Kaplan course and study PAT like crazy until then.
Don't be too upset if it doesn't work out this cycle. If this is something that you really want to do, you'll find a way to make it work. 🙂
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Hey toothpaste!
You have absolutely nothing to lose by giving it a shot this year. And you never know...there maybe one thing on your app that causes you to stand heads and shoulders above others applying.
And, take a look at the DAT and PAT stats on www.predents.com . The range of average DAT scores are 22-16 and PAT scores are 19.3-15. And remember, those are the AVERAGES. So, there will be some that are above and believe it or not, below.
Trust me, I get discouraged at times by comparing myself to others on this board. Admission to dental school is about much more than several numbers you received on test day.
Best of luck to you!
You have absolutely nothing to lose by giving it a shot this year. And you never know...there maybe one thing on your app that causes you to stand heads and shoulders above others applying.
And, take a look at the DAT and PAT stats on www.predents.com . The range of average DAT scores are 22-16 and PAT scores are 19.3-15. And remember, those are the AVERAGES. So, there will be some that are above and believe it or not, below.
Trust me, I get discouraged at times by comparing myself to others on this board. Admission to dental school is about much more than several numbers you received on test day.
Best of luck to you!
Don't wait for the Canadian DAT. Write the American one as soon as you can. THat's the best thing you can do. Not only will you still be in the game for US schools, it can also serve as a very good warm up for your Canadian DAT in Nov.
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toothpaste2006 said:
apply to all gazillion dental schools, cross your fingers, eat your garlic and string beans, be good to your parents and let your sister have the bathroom to herself, pray to god ten times a day, never walk under a ladder, or cross a black cat, kill a chicken and drain its blood over your DAT study materials, light it on fire and do the chicken dance. gluck!
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hello:
Don't expect too much from this cycle, unless you have powerful connections or have had an extraordinarily admirable accomplishment worth getting accepted to dental school. Private schools are easier to get into than public schools, comparatively. However, their DAT requirements are pretty high.
Since you've already applied this year, just take notes and learn from everything so that when you apply next cycle, it will be a piece of cake. Also, you should always be looking for ways to prove that you have improved yourself as a dental candidate/applicant. Gain (more) dental experience, get certifications, volunteer, etc.
Kaplan is a great help. If there are Kaplan DAT prep courses offered in Canada, take those too.
Good luck!
Don't expect too much from this cycle, unless you have powerful connections or have had an extraordinarily admirable accomplishment worth getting accepted to dental school. Private schools are easier to get into than public schools, comparatively. However, their DAT requirements are pretty high.
Since you've already applied this year, just take notes and learn from everything so that when you apply next cycle, it will be a piece of cake. Also, you should always be looking for ways to prove that you have improved yourself as a dental candidate/applicant. Gain (more) dental experience, get certifications, volunteer, etc.
Kaplan is a great help. If there are Kaplan DAT prep courses offered in Canada, take those too.
Good luck!
toothpaste2006 said:
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