Rejections, low DAT score

[Thorium]

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I've received two rejections so far, and I'm assuming it's because of my DAT score (16AA, 16 TS). Long story short, I bombed GC and QR. My GPA is a 3.5, and my science GPA is a 3.3. With my experience of being a dental assistant and dental lab tech. (along with volunteer work and so on), I'm assuming it was my lame DAT score.

After calling the schools about reconsidering my application with a new DAT score, they said they most definitely would. But, even if I retook the exam in a month or so, do I have enough time (being that it's already October 15)? :S

 

[studentdental8]

I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news but, most dental schools wouldn't consider a 17 or 18 AA (as national average is around 18.5-19). A 16 is just way too low to have a shot. You need to retake it, but honestly, it is already late in the cycle. Better luck next cycle.

 

[Frank22]

It is little surprise you received rejections; your GPA is good, but 16 on any individual section is usually below the cutoff for most schools, let alone AA and TS, which are one's most important DAT scores. I think you would be hard pressed to get post-December interviews if you were to retake the DAT in November.

Most people who take the DAT score slightly lower on every section except for the PAT, which consistently increases. The reason for the decrease in DAT scores is likely due to the fact that most students exert the most effort in studying for the exam the first time, and fallaciously believe that they don't need to study as hard the second time around. I would therefore recommend that you don't attempt to take the exam in a month; wait until the next application cycle to reapply, and study for the exam for two to three months so you can really get your scores up.

Good luck!

 

[jsptr986]

IMO a score of 16 should be an obvious retake but you will need to show significant improvement (AA/TS -> 20+).
when is the deadline for these schools? do you feel like you can improve your scores in this timeframe? i think it's doable, but depending on your circumstances you'll have to decide that for yourself.
did you by chance ask if your DAT was the only deciding factor? if so, bust your ass for the next month and retake the DAT. if not, i would try to get some more information as to why they declined your application, work on that over the next year and then retake the DAT next spring.

 

[Thorium]

Well Midwestern AZ is my local school and they're the ones that said that they'd reconsider with a new DAT score :/

 

[darknightzzz]

I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news but, most dental schools wouldn't consider a 17 or 18 AA (as national average is around 18.5-19). A 16 is just way too low to have a shot. You need to retake it, but honestly, it is already late in the cycle. Better luck next cycle.

i hope you mean national average for dental school acceptances is 18.5 -19. national average for all DAT taker is still below that.



I personally will not apply with the 16AA/TS...........even if you have 10 years of volunteering, work experience, and shadowing, you still need the stats (above 3.4 GPA, 19+ DAT) to stand a chance. They don't want to lose a paying seat after 1 year due to academic problems you may encounter (though you for sure will not but there is a chance). DAT is not a good predictor for sure but it shows some assurance. and to convince someone to put a golden egg in you this assurance is needed.

 

[jsptr986]

Well Midwestern AZ is my local school and they're the ones that said that they'd reconsider with a new DAT score :/

it comes down to how well you know yourself. you're only allowed 3 attempts at the DAT. i think if it were me at this point i would wait and retake in the spring. take your time relearning the material and make sure you take plenty of practice tests. apply early, and if by chance you need to retake a third time you will have plenty of time.

 

[pgex2t]

To be honest, you're going to have to retake that DAT at some point. Even if you do ace it (23+), you're still at risk of not receiving an interview since it'll be so late in the cycle. It might be frustrating, but your best bet now is to take the DAT when you feel you'll get the best score you can instead of rushing it (even if it means you have to give up the current cycle). A 16AA/TS is a deal breaker for many schools.

 

[Thorium]

Thing is, it's hard to pass it all up considering I'm so far into the cycle (everything is verified and so on). Not to mention, my applications and supplementary apps are already submitted and paid off. I know I can do it, I just need to do more practice exams under testing conditions.

 

[jsptr986]

when did you take the DAT? I'm wondering why you haven't already retaken it.

 

[Thorium]

July 27. My biggest downfall was not doing practice exams and spending too much time studying. You can spend all the time in the world on one problem and solve it, but being that I didn't time myself that's where my errors were. I remember leaving the exam annoyed because it wasn't a difficult exam, I just wasn't used to the time constraints.

To answer your question, my next testing date would be the end of this month. Realistically, the soonest I'd take it is in a month.

 

[pgex2t]

Thing is, it's hard to pass it all up considering I'm so far into the cycle (everything is verified and so on). Not to mention, my applications and supplementary apps are already submitted and paid off. I know I can do it, I just need to do more practice exams under testing conditions.

The thing is, at this point in the cycle, in order to be competitive, you'll need to crush it. By the time your score is verified, and schools take a look at your app, dec acceptances will have almost gone out. 16AA is a far cry from 22AA+. Unless you know for sure you can get somewhere near that score within a month/1.5, I'd wait until you're completely confident you'll do the best you can. Note there is a 90 day restraint between retakes.

 

[Thorium]

I'm well aware of the 90 day time constraint, which is why I haven't retaken it since my last attempt. I'm confident that my failure was due to not doing the exam under testing conditions. A mistake that you would think would be obvious, but time efficiency is just as important as having the knowledge. Furthermore, I'm a chemistry tutor at ASU and funny enough, the famous Chad that we've all become familiar with is my manager. He suggested that I go all out as there's still a chance.

My concern was with the timeline for a retake, which it seems like there's hope provided I stick to a strict schedule.

Thanks for the advice everyone! You've been a tremendous help. 🙂

 

[hoppingpre]

I'm well aware of the 90 day time constraint, which is why I haven't retaken it since my last attempt. I'm confident that my failure was due to not doing the exam under testing conditions. A mistake that you would think would be obvious, but time efficiency is just as important as having the knowledge. Furthermore, I'm a chemistry tutor at ASU and funny enough, the famous Chad that we've all become familiar with is my manager. He suggested that I go all out as there's still a chance.

My concern was with the timeline for a retake, which it seems like there's hope provided I stick to a strict schedule.

Thanks for the advice everyone! You've been a tremendous help. 🙂

Chad!!! I want his autograph.

Well in the end, the decision lies with you. Good luck.

 

[PlasmaMembrane]

I'm pretty sure you were already told applying with that DAT score would be a waste of time. You should retake for obvious reasons and I certainly hope you've been using that 90 day wait to study.

 

[BobbyBeavis]

I was going through this showing pity until I read that Chad is your manager. Didn't he emphasize that we won't have enough time to think through most of the problems on the test? Sorry that this may be my most dingus-ish comment on the website but that really puzzled me

 

[ajj70]

I would retake the test when you are ready, in a month. You already spent the money on the applications so why not give this cycle another shot. You probably won't get any pre Dec interviews but if they are willing to reconsider your app with a better score, why not do it now. You won't be out any extra money really since you have to retake the DAT and if you don't get in this year, you will be spending the money on the apps anyway. You have the potential to save the application fees for next year!

....and pay Chad to tutor you 🙂.

 

[Thorium]

I wasn't asking for sympathy, Bobby. I was asking for advice on direction in regard to the timeline I have, not criticism on my failure to do well on the exam. Live and learn.

Thanks, Ajj70! That was my logic and the conclusion I came up with last night. I'll do what I can to increase my chances for this cycle, but I'm already taking notes on what I should've done differently. 😛

 

[sjk20]

Please don't pay too much attention to the negativity. It's very easy for people to tell you it's "too late" but honestly, every school works differently and you've already submitted your application and paid for it. I think it's worth it to re-take. I know three people currently at USC dental that didn't get interviews until April. Another friend of mine who freaked out last cycle and applied to some random schools at the END OF NOVEMBER still got a couple interviews (one to UNLV). Obviously that's some random anecdotal evidence that shouldn't be the golden standard but I don't think people should be trying to convince you it's too late.

You have two more chances to retake the DAT and if you know there were areas you could easily improve on then you can only go up from here. Keep your head up and kick butt on your retake. If you don't get in this cycle, it's fine. You're in a good position to get accepted the next one.

 

[sjk20]

Oh and side note, those individuals I'm referring to who got post-december interviews did not have stats that were considered way above average by any means. Because I know someone will try and respond and say they just had a super high GPA or DAT.

 

[Rambunctious]

Thing is, it's hard to pass it all up considering I'm so far into the cycle (everything is verified and so on). Not to mention, my applications and supplementary apps are already submitted and paid off. I know I can do it, I just need to do more practice exams under testing conditions.

I would agree with Chad that it is still doable to get accepted this cycle, but it's going to be a little tough to restudy and do much better on the DAT. From my experience, retaking the DAT within a short time frame didn't work out well. I understand you paid for everything in AADSAS and you want to get started with D school this year, but I would personally take this whole year off to study for the DAT, and apply next cycle. That way you assure you have more than enough time to study for it and do well. You can totally disregard what I'm saying, take the DAT now (kill it), apply and get in this cycle. Just a little more risky lol

 

[GAdawg94]

Some people have spent over $1,500 to apply to about 15 schools not including supplementals add in there another 400 or so. He has to retake the DAT. And he'll probably be better off doing it before he forgets the material. Otherwise you've wasted a few K

 

[pgex2t]

I'm well aware of the 90 day time constraint, which is why I haven't retaken it since my last attempt. I'm confident that my failure was due to not doing the exam under testing conditions. A mistake that you would think would be obvious, but time efficiency is just as important as having the knowledge. Furthermore, I'm a chemistry tutor at ASU and funny enough, the famous Chad that we've all become familiar with is my manager. He suggested that I go all out as there's still a chance.

My concern was with the timeline for a retake, which it seems like there's hope provided I stick to a strict schedule.

Thanks for the advice everyone! You've been a tremendous help. 🙂

If you're that determined, I can only offer you my support. To be honest, I only studied casually (3-5 hours a day) for a week and religiously (more than 7 hours a day) for a week before taking it my third time so it can definitely be done. Lmk if you need any advice from a fellow time-cruncher and good luck with your studies.

 

[Rambunctious]

If you're that determined, I can only offer you my support. To be honest, I only studied casually (3-5 hours a day) for a week and religiously (more than 7 hours a day) for a week before taking it my third time so it can definitely be done. Lmk if you need any advice from a fellow time-cruncher and good luck with your studies.

You technically studied more than a week, since it was your third take, but I get what you're saying lol.

 

[Rambunctious]

Some people have spent over $1,500 to apply to about 15 schools not including supplementals add in there another 400 or so. He has to retake the DAT. And he'll probably be better off doing it before he forgets the material. Otherwise you've wasted a few K

What's $1,500 compared to dental school tuition? Nothing! It's better he loses that money this cycle, spends enough time studying, to raise his scores dramatically vs cramming and trying to achieve the same goal with a lesser chance. Taking the DAT multiple times does not look good, regardless if you had 16's your first 2 attempts and then a 25 on the third try. Admins will question why it took so many times to get it right. Try to minimize how many times you take it.

 

[pgex2t]

You technically studied more than a week, since it was your third take, but I get what you're saying lol.

eh, there was a 2 year gap so I think I forgot everything

 

[Rambunctious]

eh, there was a 2 year gap so I think I forgot everything

I was JK, I was in a similar situation... more power to you for increasing your scores!

 

[Master Yoda]

I've received two rejections so far, and I'm assuming it's because of my DAT score (16AA, 16 TS). Long story short, I bombed GC and QR. My GPA is a 3.5, and my science GPA is a 3.3. With my experience of being a dental assistant and dental lab tech. (along with volunteer work and so on), I'm assuming it was my lame DAT score.

After calling the schools about reconsidering my application with a new DAT score, they said they most definitely would. But, even if I retook the exam in a month or so, do I have enough time (being that it's already October 15)? :S

In my opinion AA and TS of 16 shows that you don't remember much from the basic sciences. I would recommend studying couple of months for the DAT with the right material before taking it again and apply next cycle. I don't think you could get 20+ in just one month of studying. Just my opinion.