reapplying for next cycle, advice appreciated

[Bis-GMA111]

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Hey guys, so I'm pretty much banking on not getting in anywhere this cycle, so I was wondering if you guys think it's worth it to retake the DAT for 2013

 

[Seamonkey Doc]

Hey guys, so I'm pretty much banking on not getting in anywhere this cycle, so I was wondering if you guys think it's worth it to retake the DAT for 2013

my stats thus far: 20/20/16 (AA/TS/PAT); and this was my second attempt

undergrad cumulative: 3.1 (science)/3.2 overall

masters so far: 3.75 (bcp and cumulative)-->with academic update science gpa=3.2 cumulative 3.3

i plan on shadowing more and racking up some extra curriculars.

thanks for your help, as always

I would say retake the DAT and focus on how you can improve your PAT (did you score a 16 last time as well?).

Your GPA seems fine with the masters and the update. If you can bring it up even more before June, even better.

How many schools did you apply to? Can you consider applying to more?

 

[Bis-GMA111]

I would say retake the DAT and focus on how you can improve your PAT (did you score a 16 last time as well?).

Your GPA seems fine with the masters and the update. If you can bring it up even more before June, even better.

How many schools did you apply to? Can you consider applying to more?

yeah same score on the first one. i was getting 22s on crack PAT, but i thought the actual thing was a lot harder. maybe that+nervousness screwed me? idk man.

i applied just for the heck of it this cycle, but i plan on adding like 5-6 more for the next cycle

 

[Seamonkey Doc]

yeah same score on the first one. i was getting 22s on crack PAT, but i thought the actual thing was a lot harder. maybe that+nervousness screwed me? idk man.

i applied just for the heck of it this cycle, but i plan on adding like 5-6 more for the next cycle

I totally understand. I was scoring in the low 20's on crack PAT but got a 17 on the real thing. In my case, nerves got the best of me. Maybe you can ask what materials people use to study for the PAT on the DAT forum? I just used crack PAT but I'm sure there has to be something else out there.

Adding schools will boost your chances, esp if their private and tend to select applicants with a lower GPA but higher DAT score. However I also want to stress that even though the number of schools matter, it's important to apply to schools you are actually interested in.

Good luck 🙂

 

[periopocket]

The first time I took the DAT, I had crack dat pat, bought it late, and was scoring 19's on it, I got a 14 on PAT on the actual DAT (embarrassing), then the next time I took it, I got a private tutor from KAPLAN, costed 1000$, and I practiced crack dat pat every day for 2 months straight, did a test every morning when I woke up, and I got a 21 on the second time I took the test. I can testify that tutoring really helped me, the guy got me to look and see in ways I wasn't able to before, It was like I went from being blind to being able to see. Even If you can find a buddy in your masters program,that is also studying for DAT, or has taken it and done well on PAT, and ask them to sit down with you, and to point at what they are seeing, and If you can try and see what they are seeing, eventually you will, you will be amazed!

 

[Bis-GMA111]

also one more thing:

if i took my DAT at the end of july, and had everything else in before that would my application still be "late?"

 

[Seamonkey Doc]

also one more thing:

if i took my DAT at the end of july, and had everything else in before that would my application still be "late?"

I don't think so. I took the DAT in July and also submitted my application in July but I got four pre Dec interviews. DAT scores take about two weeks to process so it's not a big deal if you take the test by early August.

 

[wired202808]

Hey guys, so I'm pretty much banking on not getting in anywhere this cycle, so I was wondering if you guys think it's worth it to retake the DAT for 2013

my stats thus far: 20/20/16 (AA/TS/PAT); and this was my second attempt

undergrad cumulative: 3.1 (science)/3.2 overall

masters so far: 3.75 (bcp and cumulative)-->with academic update science gpa=3.2 cumulative 3.3

i plan on shadowing more and racking up some extra curriculars.

thanks for your help, as always

Whats the overall sGPA? your GPA is still the problem. A 16 PAT will only keep you away from some schools but the DAT itself is fine. I think if you apply early June and apply broadly to schools like NYU, Tufts, USC, BU, Roseman, LECOM. You will get accepted somewhere. Obv you already have a Masters so you cant really get another one. A retake might or might not help you because unless you can nail it get a 22 or more. A 21 wont look that much hotter than a 20. I would apply broadly and then if you dont hear back retake the DAT in like October.

 

[Bis-GMA111]

overall gpa (as of this past semester is a 3.3, and overall science is 3.2 (these gpas include undergrad+my masters)

i got a 3.75 in the first semester of my masters program (bcp and science)

 

[pk62281]

Some schools only consider your masters gpa like OSU (but theyre not OOS friendly). Try to find out which schools will do that, and you can consider yourself someone with a 3.75 GPA.

Gosh, retaking the DAT and getting a higher PAT will definitely help a lot but that's a tough call. I took it once and it was brutal. I'm glad I don't have to go through it again, and to take it a 3rd time is asking a lot. Also, some people are just naturals when it comes to PAT, and it's one those things that can be difficult to improve.

Once you finish your masters program with a strong GPA, be encouraged that you are, in fact, in a better place then when you applied this cycle. It's a big problem if you are applying next year with basically the same application.

 

[Bis-GMA111]

Some schools only consider your masters gpa like OSU (but theyre not OOS friendly). Try to find out which schools will do that, and you can consider yourself someone with a 3.75 GPA.

Gosh, retaking the DAT and getting a higher PAT will definitely help a lot but that's a tough call. I took it once and it was brutal. I'm glad I don't have to go through it again, and to take it a 3rd time is asking a lot. Also, some people are just naturals when it comes to PAT, and it's one those things that can be difficult to improve.

Once you finish your masters program with a strong GPA, be encouraged that you are, in fact, in a better place then when you applied this cycle. It's a big problem if you are applying next year with basically the same application.

yeah it is a tough call. hopefully LECOM will pull me off of their enormous alternate list and i won't have to worry about reapplying ....haha.......sigh

 

[Seamonkey Doc]

Some schools only consider your masters gpa like OSU (but theyre not OOS friendly). Try to find out which schools will do that, and you can consider yourself someone with a 3.75 GPA.

Gosh, retaking the DAT and getting a higher PAT will definitely help a lot but that's a tough call. I took it once and it was brutal. I'm glad I don't have to go through it again, and to take it a 3rd time is asking a lot.

Once you finish your masters program with a strong GPA, be encouraged that you are, in fact, in a better place then when you applied this cycle. It's a big problem if you are applying next year with basically the same application.

Good point.
I think the OP will be fine GPA wise because he has shown he can handle the work load with a great masters GPA. His TS and AA scores are good too. The PAT portion is def a tough call but a higher score can help.

 

[wired202808]

overall gpa (as of this past semester is a 3.3, and overall science is 3.2 (these gpas include undergrad+my masters)

i got a 3.75 in the first semester of my masters program (bcp and science)

Right but schools look at totals, not only masters. Its a tough call. I say just reapply early. I wouldnt try to beat a 20AA, its good enough.

 

[Seamonkey Doc]

overall gpa (as of this past semester is a 3.3, and overall science is 3.2 (these gpas include undergrad+my masters)

i got a 3.75 in the first semester of my masters program (bcp and science)

They'll look at your GPA trends too, don't worry 🙂. There are plenty of people with sub par 3.0 GPA's who achieve an excellent GPA from a post bac or masters and are admitted to dental school.

 

[wired202808]

overall GPA matters a lot more. I had a ton of trends they didnt seem to do much.

 

[Seamonkey Doc]

overall GPA matters a lot more. I had a ton of trends they didnt seem to do much.

Overall and sci GPA are important, no doubt. However, it's going to take a looong time for someone with a 3.2 (that took four years to create) to get an overall GPA of 3.5+ (in one year). Dental schools realize this. This is why trends matter. The OP can't change the past with his 3.2/3.1 GPA but he's doing really well with his masters (and he did well on the sciences on the DAT). I'm sure a few dental schools will see that.

Regardless of what we think, I'm sure the OP will make the best decision for himself.

 

[wired202808]

Overall and sci GPA are important, no doubt. However, it's going to take a looong time for someone with a 3.2 (that took four years to create) to get an overall GPA of 3.5+ (in one year). Dental schools realize this. This is why trends matter. The OP can't change the past with his 3.2/3.1 GPA but he's doing really well with his masters (and he did well on the sciences on the DAT). I'm sure a few dental schools will see that.

Regardless of what we think, I'm sure the OP will make the best decision for himself.

He has no choice since he already did a masters and only moved it up to a 3.2. So at this point its private schools or bust. Maybe some state schools will bite, but private is more likely.

 

[USCMASTER]

ONLY OPTION. Re-take your DAT, get a higher score on PAT. Most school's do not even accept scores under 17 for PAT.

 

[Bis-GMA111]

He has no choice since he already did a masters and only moved it up to a 3.2. So at this point its private schools or bust. Maybe some state schools will bite, but private is more likely.

i'm still working on the masters

 

[wired202808]

i'm still working on the masters

So thats good you have time to bump it up.