Retake DAT to improve acceptance?

[nickname236]

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This is my first post! WOOT
I applied to all three texas schools and had all three interviews in the middle of spetember. Come december 1st I did not hear beack from all three. 🙁 Oh well. My dat scores are fair I guess. (19AA 20TS 17PAT) My question is, would it be a good idea to study hard for one month to retake the DAT in say mid janurary. My thinking is that the dental schools would get the scores in around feburary and take that into consideration before they make their final descsions in march. I know that one may say that it is unlikely that Ill improve the score but I know that I could put in some extra effort to study real hard. Please correct me if my thinking is wrong and advise me on whether this ould be a good idea or to wait off. Thanks😳

 

[MTD52]

What's the rest of your "resume" look like? Those scores are not bad at all.

PS: You haven't heard back? Does that mean you didn't get in, or you're just still waiting....

 

[DentineIce]

I would call your schools to make sure they would even take your new scores for this cycle. Some schools close their applications, and wont let you update after dec 1.

 

[nickname236]

Rest of resume: about 100 hourse of dental shadowing, work in the ER as a scribe, volunteer at hospice, assistant scout master at boyscout troop, TMOM volunteer, few jobs throughout undergrad

3.65 Overall
3.63 Science

Ya I need to call them. I just don't want to bother them right now and don't want them remembering my name and how I called and bothered them lol. Would this week be apprioriote to call or should I wait a little longer.

 

[doc toothache]

The gpa and dat scores are slightly out of synch and while the 19 may place you on the cusp, it is unlikely that it will be a deal braker. You really don't expect the 3 schools to twiddle their thumbs until ~ Feb just in case you decide to retake and maybe improve your scores, do you?

 

[DentineIce]

The gpa and dat scores are slightly out of synch and while the 19 may place you on the cusp, it is unlikely that it will be a deal braker. You really don't expect the 3 schools to twiddle their thumbs until ~ Feb just in case you decide to retake and maybe improve your scores, do you?

A bit condescending doc don't ya think?? 👎 If the admissions committee meets again in March to review applicants (or late feb) to send out another batch of acceptances, then improving your score could help (and that way they aren't just "waiting around" for him and only him!). How much? who knows, but if you improve your scores it cant hurt.

 

[doc toothache]

A bit condescending doc don't ya think?? 👎 If the admissions committee meets again in March to review applicants (or late feb) to send out another batch of acceptances, then improving your score could help (and that way they aren't just "waiting around" for him and only him!). How much? who knows, but if you improve your scores it cant hurt.

The big ifs. If it meets if the score improve, "don't ya think"?

 

[MTD52]

The big ifs. If it meets if the score improve, "don't ya think"?

True, but do you really think it's better not to do anything?

 

[doc toothache]

True, but do you really think it's better not to do anything?

Kind of late to be thinking about doing anything else at this point in time, not unlike flapping one's arms after jumping off a cliff without remembering to tie the bungee cord; the faith has pretty much been sealed.

 

[MTD52]

Kind of late to be thinking about doing anything else at this point in time, not unlike flapping one's arms after jumping off a cliff without remembering to tie the bungee cord; the faith has pretty much been sealed.

Yeah I guess maybe you're right.

OP, are you sure the fact that you haven't heard back yet doesn't just mean ...you haven't heard back yet?

 

[nickname236]

While I realize that it is highly unlikely for the admissions comittee to take the new scores into consideration, I feel this is the best time to start breaking out the books, in order to take the test while my mind is still fresh on the material. After taking the test the first time I have learned what and how to study for next time around. With the possibility of the new DAT scores being taken into consideration and the fact that I need to anyway for next cycle, would you advise me to take the DAT again soon (eg: 1 or 2 months) or wait like 6 or 8 months.

 

[adizzle87]

I would start now, gun for a late Jan test date, and fax in your score report asap if they take it (along with official scores of course). I think if you get at least a 20AA, 21 to be safe, you should be OK.

 

[dentalboy86]

i applied to all the texas schools too so i now how the system works. just because you did not hear in december does not mean you are in. baylor is the only school that typically fills all their seats on december 1st, although they have been known to send out a few offers post dec. san antonio typically fills 70-80% on dec 1st offers and houston only sent out 47 offers so that is only 50% of the class, assuming everyone accepts (which is not likely). many people also got multiple accpetances and are in the process of declining their other offers. the likelihood of you getting accepted during the second round is very high so i would wait it out...i know it sucks though. your scores are good and your gpa is good too.

however, ask yourself about the interview. when i walked out of mine, i felt great about my interview. what were your feelings? was there any heistation in any answers? did the conversation go smoothly? if yes, then i am sure you will hear. if not, they maybe you should think about studying again. i know for the texas schools the interview matters a lot too!

good luck to you!

 

[s2agrado]

Its been my experience that it's too late to submit scores and have them seriously considered by most schools. So, I would call the schools first. That being said, you can definitely improve your chances by taking the DAT again and it might be better to take it sooner than later, but don't rush it for this cycle.

Also, like dentalboy96 said, you have to think of how your interview went. Obviously you submitted a strong application with your current stats (b/c you had an early interview), so maybe you can improve on the interview. Take advantage of mock interview sessions at school, practice answering questions with friends and be truthful. Don't give standard blurb answers or thoughtless answers. When I helped friends with interviewing, they were giving standard run-of-the-mill answers.

Good luck! You could still hear this year, so don't give up hope.

 

[MTD52]

however, ask yourself about the interview. when i walked out of mine, i felt great about my interview. what were your feelings? was there any heistation in any answers? did the conversation go smoothly?

Also, like dentalboy96 said, you have to think of how your interview went. Obviously you submitted a strong application with your current stats (b/c you had an early interview), so maybe you can improve on the interview. Take advantage of mock interview sessions at school, practice answering questions with friends and be truthful. Don't give standard blurb answers or thoughtless answers. When I helped friends with interviewing, they were giving standard run-of-the-mill answers.

Good luck! You could still hear this year, so don't give up hope.

I'll cosign this because since your scores and GPA are pretty solid, I'm not sure what else would have been a big factor. The only reason I think you think recall how they all went, what you answered, etc. is in the event that you have to reapply next cycle, that may be something you want to focus on. Honestly, I never did a mock interview and didn't prepare at all for mine. I just read some questions that people got on their interviews either the day before mine or the morning of. That's not the best way to do it for some people, but it worked just fine for me. I know a lot of people benefit from mock interviews though, so yeah that's a consideration.

If you think you can significantly improve your scores within the next couple months, I would say there's no reason not to retake it, but only if you're confident it will improve. The reason I say that is, in the even that you need to reapply, I'm sure you would take it again, and if your new score will only be used for next cycle, you'd want to give yourself much more time to study. But if you think you'll improve enough to matter in the time you have, worst case scenario (assuming you do better) is that you will just have that score for next time.

 

[alanan84]

Remember if you retake, that score WILL show up on all future DAT score reports along with your previous score. You need to be very confident of improvement if you plan on taking it again.

The truth is that your DAT scores right now are pretty good. I would get input from the schools before planning a retake.

 

[MTD52]

The truth is that your DAT scores right now are pretty good. I would get input from the schools before planning a retake.

Good point

 

[THP23]

I think your DAT scores look good man. Like others have said, I would call the school and see what they think you should do. Remember though, it is WAY early in the game yet (only Dec. 8th). I have heard of people getting accepted as late as JUNE!

Keep your head up

 

[nickname236]

Ya I think Ill start studying and see how confident I am with the material again. If I feel alot of progess I will retake and if not I will wait and play it out to see if I get accepted 1st. I just don't want to get into the regular grind of work and lose my academic edge. Furthermore, I think Ill enroll in maybe 8hrs of post bach, seek out other volunteer oppurtunities, and maybe try to land a job somewhere in the medical or dental field. What you think?? 👍 👎

 

[Marker008]

I would only re-take it if you can devote serious time to studying. You obviously worked hard to get that 19aa...it's a solid score that many applicants would be happy with. But if you take it again, what are you confident you can do to improve it? When you get up to a 19 aa, it becomes more difficult to raise your DAT because of the way the test is scored. Just something to consider, it may take 3-4 weeks to get a 20, but 3-4 months to get a 22.