Retake DAT? Post-Bac?

[Noname96]

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So, this cycle I have been able to land 5 interviews, however no luck with all of them, either got waitlisted or no response. I have a good amount of volunteering and shadowing. My DAT and GPA are pretty average. My DAT scores are a 19AA, 20TS, 20GC, 23OC, 18BIO, 18RC, 18QR, 18PAT. My GPA is a sGPA of 3.42 and regular GPA of 3.43. This is my second time applying and I’m not even sure if my Dat scores are still even valid tbh, took it mid summer 2018. Was just wondering whether or not I should retake the DAT or take a post bac, maybe both?

 

[futuredmdblue]

Those scores aren't too bad but I don't know much about how valid they are after 2 cycles. Your best bet would be to contact the schools you're most interested in and ask them. Don't sign up for anything just yet. Prep courses alone can start out around 400 bucks. Kaplan can be around 2000. Each DAT attempt is nearly 500. That can add up.

This is from OSU's website. Not sure if it's across the board for every school or if they each have different requirements.

How recent must my DAT scores be?


All DAT scores expire after 2 years. You must have taken the DAT within the past two years.

 

[nsudental]

I would not say those scores are bad bc I have similar scores like yours but a slightly lower gpa than yours. But I have done a post-bacc and having a 3.8 gpa in my post bacc. By the end of summer 1, my post bacc gpa will hit up close to a 3.9 which brings my undergrad gpa to a 3.11 science, 3.06 overall, and 3.02 BCP after 51 units(including a calculus class).

 

[artist2022]

So, this cycle I have been able to land 5 interviews, however no luck with all of them, either got waitlisted or no response. I have a good amount of volunteering and shadowing. My DAT and GPA are pretty average. My DAT scores are a 19AA, 20TS, 20GC, 23OC, 18BIO, 18RC, 18QR, 18PAT. My GPA is a sGPA of 3.42 and regular GPA of 3.43. This is my second time applying and I’m not even sure if my Dat scores are still even valid tbh, took it mid summer 2018. Was just wondering whether or not I should retake the DAT or take a post bac, maybe both?

I don't think you need a post-bacc or a masters as your GPAs aren't too bad. With 5 interviews, your DAT seems to be looking ok as well, but I think they're valid for a max of 3 years for most schools, but above OSU was listed as needing them within two years so there could be others SO you could retake it and if you do better, that'd be great!

But honestly, with 5 interviews, it looks like your interviewing skills may be hindering you from getting an acceptance. So, I'd really work on interviewing. Maybe you didn't come across confident enough, maybe you were too shy, who knows, but it looks like your stats aren't your biggest red flag since you got 5 interviews when some applicants only get 2-3! Try YouTube videos, google around for interview coaches, try doing a mock interview with your pre-dental advisor, etc.

For this coming cycle, I'd apply early and hopefully you have improvements from last year (like more shadowing, volunteering, etc), and if you don't have any interviews by the time your DAT expires/midsummer, schedule a retake for August-ish maybe (unless you can do a retake before May - that would only help you if you are able to do well). But really I'd focus more on coming across as an excellent interviewee cause that's where I think you're lacking.

Good luck!

EDIT: Also for the schools you're waitlisted at currently, do send a letter of intent to your first choice, and updates to the others if you haven't already. If you get off the waitlist, then you don't have to worry about all of this other stuff anymore 🙂

 

[nsudental]

I don't think you need a post-bacc or a masters as your GPAs aren't too bad. With 5 interviews, your DAT seems to be looking ok as well, but I think they're valid for a max of 3 years for most schools, but above OSU was listed as needing them within two years so there could be others SO you could retake it and if you do better, that'd be great!

But honestly, with 5 interviews, it looks like your interviewing skills may be hindering you from getting an acceptance. So, I'd really work on interviewing. Maybe you didn't come across confident enough, maybe you were too shy, who knows, but it looks like your stats aren't your biggest red flag since you got 5 interviews when some applicants only get 2-3! Try YouTube videos, google around for interview coaches, try doing a mock interview with your pre-dental advisor, etc.

For this coming cycle, I'd apply early and hopefully you have improvements from last year (like more shadowing, volunteering, etc), and if you don't have any interviews by the time your DAT expires/midsummer, schedule a retake for August-ish maybe (unless you can do a retake before May - that would only help you if you are able to do well). But really I'd focus more on coming across as an excellent interviewee cause that's where I think you're lacking.

Good luck!

EDIT: Also for the schools you're waitlisted at currently, do send a letter of intent to your first choice, and updates to the others if you haven't already. If you get off the waitlist, then you don't have to worry about all of this other stuff anymore 🙂

I second this!

 

[Noname96]

I don't think you need a post-bacc or a masters as your GPAs aren't too bad. With 5 interviews, your DAT seems to be looking ok as well, but I think they're valid for a max of 3 years for most schools, but above OSU was listed as needing them within two years so there could be others SO you could retake it and if you do better, that'd be great!

But honestly, with 5 interviews, it looks like your interviewing skills may be hindering you from getting an acceptance. So, I'd really work on interviewing. Maybe you didn't come across confident enough, maybe you were too shy, who knows, but it looks like your stats aren't your biggest red flag since you got 5 interviews when some applicants only get 2-3! Try YouTube videos, google around for interview coaches, try doing a mock interview with your pre-dental advisor, etc.

For this coming cycle, I'd apply early and hopefully you have improvements from last year (like more shadowing, volunteering, etc), and if you don't have any interviews by the time your DAT expires/midsummer, schedule a retake for August-ish maybe (unless you can do a retake before May - that would only help you if you are able to do well). But really I'd focus more on coming across as an excellent interviewee cause that's where I think you're lacking.

Good luck!

EDIT: Also for the schools you're waitlisted at currently, do send a letter of intent to your first choice, and updates to the others if you haven't already. If you get off the waitlist, then you don't have to worry about all of this other stuff anymore 🙂

Thanks so much for your advice, however I did take my Dat at the end of July of 2018 so I think as long as I apply during June my DAT scores should be valid for schools with a 2 year limit. The thing Is most schools don’t send out interviews until August, so I’m not sure if I would be smart of me to wait to hear back and end up having to take the DAT later in the cycle, so it’s a sticky situation...

However, when it comes to my app there has been slight improvements with some new volunteering and being able to work in a dentlal lab. Would that be enough with my current stats to warrant more interview invites? Or should I just try to kill the dat early on in the summer to show improvement in my app? Thanks again for your help

 

[artist2022]

Thanks so much for your advice, however I did take my Dat at the end of July of 2018 so I think as long as I apply during June my DAT scores should be valid for schools with a 2 year limit. The thing Is most schools don’t send out interviews until August, so I’m not sure if I would be smart of me to wait to hear back and end up having to take the DAT later in the cycle, so it’s a sticky situation...

However, when it comes to my app there has been slight improvements with some new volunteering and being able to work in a dentlal lab. Would that be enough with my current stats to warrant more interview invites? Or should I just try to kill the dat early on in the summer to show improvement in my app? Thanks again for your help

I'm not sure if schools with a limit would require your DAT to be valid the entire cycle, so that'd definitely be something to ask them. I agree it's a sticky situation so if you're maybe able to take it before the cycle or early on in the cycle and you do well, that can only help and maybe even open more doors/opportunities for interviews at schools that may be more financially/wallet friendly.

How much experience/how many hours have you gotten with these two activities - are they significant (50 hours+)? The main thing is that you should be able to show commitment to the field and to your community. Considering everything going on, schools may be more forgiving on minor improvements to an app, but no one knows for sure except the schools themselves.

 

[DocMon16]

I'm not sure if schools with a limit would require your DAT to be valid the entire cycle, so that'd definitely be something to ask them. I agree it's a sticky situation so if you're maybe able to take it before the cycle or early on in the cycle and you do well, that can only help and maybe even open more doors/opportunities for interviews at schools that may be more financially/wallet friendly.

How much experience/how many hours have you gotten with these two activities - are they significant (50 hours+)? The main thing is that you should be able to show commitment to the field and to your community. Considering everything going on, schools may be more forgiving on minor improvements to an app, but no one knows for sure except the schools themselves.

I agree with everything Artist2022 has said. I have been on both sides of the table, interviewee as a prospective dental student to being on the student interview committee when I was a third year DS. Let me know if you have anymore questions. I just went through a full round of interviews for residency too so I can answer any questions you may have.

 

[Noname96]

Bump