Retake DAT?

[mfrey28]

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So I applied this cycle to 15 schools and my GPA is on the low side so I'm trying to come up with a backup plan early in case I don't get accepted this cycle. Here are the stats that I am applying with:

BCP: 2.77
Science: 2.96
Overall: 2.74

I know that my GPA is my biggest weakness so I am planning on doing a one year masters and owning that so I can raise my GPA. My question is if I do well in that and get above a 3.5 should I retake the DAT also?

AA: 21
TS: 20
RC: 21
QR: 18
Bio: 18
GC: 19
OC: 28
PAT: 19

Any comments/suggestions are greatly appreciated!

 

[flipflopreverse]

So I applied this cycle to 15 schools and my GPA is on the low side so I'm trying to come up with a backup plan early in case I don't get accepted this cycle. Here are the stats that I am applying with:

BCP: 2.77
Science: 2.96
Overall: 2.74

I know that my GPA is my biggest weakness so I am planning on doing a one year masters and owning that so I can raise my GPA. My question is if I do well in that and get above a 3.5 should I retake the DAT also?

AA: 21
TS: 20
RC: 21
QR: 18
Bio: 18
GC: 19
OC: 28
PAT: 19

Any comments/suggestions are greatly appreciated!

DAT seems fine. Maybe a boost in bio won't hurt. Nice OChem 👍

 

[periopocket]

Do not retake the DAT! Do a post-bacc, or If you can get into a masters for this year Fall or Spring, hop into that, and you will have great chances next cycle If you do not get in this cycle. GL

 

[Stacker]

So I applied this cycle to 15 schools and my GPA is on the low side so I'm trying to come up with a backup plan early in case I don't get accepted this cycle. Here are the stats that I am applying with:

BCP: 2.77
Science: 2.96
Overall: 2.74

I know that my GPA is my biggest weakness so I am planning on doing a one year masters and owning that so I can raise my GPA. My question is if I do well in that and get above a 3.5 should I retake the DAT also?

AA: 21
TS: 20
RC: 21
QR: 18
Bio: 18
GC: 19
OC: 28
PAT: 19

Any comments/suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Yes. Someone with your GPA would need well over 22. Although the difference between very high scores is only by a question or two, a 25 would go a long way for you. Even still, it would be risky. I'd do a postbacc. or Master's. You shouldn't have to retake the DAT if you do well in your Master's.

 

[segura11]

dont retake the DAT, but work on that gpa. If you can do awesome, you will get in next year.

 

[rootz02]

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[AnaCho]

My statistics were similar to yours. I had a 3.03 overall GPA with a 2.67 BCP. My DAT consisted of AA 21 TS 20 Bio 20 GC 22 OC 18 RC 21 QR 24.

I have research experience in metazoan embryology, over 800 hours of shadowing experience (which includes dentists outside my father's practice), volunteering, teaching the MCAT, DAT, OAT, and PCAT for Kaplan Test Prep, Vice Pres. of my fraternity, among other things... I didn't get a single interview. I thought a 21 was a good score (especially when the AA was reported to be 97.2%) but it just isn't. Not nearly enough to mask a poor GPA. The admissions officers don't see percentiles - they just see numbers. A 21 doesn't stand out when they see people applying with a 25. So it would be erroneous to assume that your 21 will be the "strong score" that stands out. It's more of a quickly fleeting moment of approval until they fixate on the poor GPA.

I enrolled in a one year Master's program and currently have a 4.0 after finishing 19/30 credits required to graduate. I'm hoping this will help, as I am now reapplying but I too am considering a retake on the DAT if I don't get any interviews by October. Best of luck to you. Let me know how it works out. I hope you get in somewhere.

omg..now i'm really worried...
i have around 3.2 overall, 3.03 bcp and science.
dat = 21 AA, 21 TS, 19 PAT
i have around 400+ hours working at clinic and 150 hours working as a dental assistant
about 300 hours private tutoring (math/psychology)
and i don't have any research experience...

 

[rootz02]

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[mustardseed5]

You'll be fine, I'm sure. Your gpa is higher than mine. And your TS score is higher than mine. I'm sure you'll get one or two Ipinterviews. It wouldn't hurt to enroll in a masters just in case, as a back up plan. It's like paying for an insurance policy. Could be worth it. Best of luck.

Agreed, except for the part about terriers 😕 hehe

to Ana and the OP, you could start in a program in January, if you haven't heard ANYthing from ANY school. I know it sucks that you could do average or slightly above on the DAT and schools still may not give you a look because of your GPA, but it happens. Been there. Be realistic about your chances for interviews and acceptances after December. If it's reasonable, start a program early instead of waiting til June or September, then crank it up to finish fast and reapply. Depending on how much you can raise your GPA through an advanced degree, you may or may not choose to retake the DAT. Personally, I think you did well enough to reapply once you raise the GPA. Trust me, the time absolutely flies, even if you sit out one app cycle. Best wishes for this cycle though, it is early yet. for you both.

 

[mfrey28]

I have one year of undergrad left and pretty much all of those classes are either BCP or Science. I won't be applying next cycle like I said but I will be applying the one after that in 2014 because I don't want to waste money if my chances still aren't great after my last year of undergrad. Would a post-bacc or one year masters be better for someone in my situation?

 

[rootz02]

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[ushaseos]

My statistics were similar to yours. I had a 3.03 overall GPA with a 2.67 BCP. My DAT consisted of AA 21 TS 20 Bio 20 GC 22 OC 18 RC 21 QR 24.

I have research experience in metazoan embryology, over 800 hours of shadowing experience (which includes dentists outside my father's practice), volunteering, teaching the MCAT, DAT, OAT, and PCAT for Kaplan Test Prep, Vice Pres. of my fraternity, among other things... I didn't get a single interview. I thought a 21 was a good score (especially when the AA was reported to be 97.2%) but it just isn't. Not nearly enough to mask a poor GPA. The admissions officers don't see percentiles - they just see numbers. A 21 doesn't stand out when they see people applying with a 25. So it would be erroneous to assume that your 21 will be the "strong score" that stands out. It's more of a quickly fleeting moment of approval until they fixate on the poor GPA.

That is disheartening to hear, but rootz speaks the truth here. Its a numbers game and your GPA will not cut it. Your DAT is fine, but do a post-bacc or a Masters or something and get a very good GPA there to help you level the bad GPA from Undegrad.

 

[ijk90825]

So I applied this cycle to 15 schools and my GPA is on the low side so I'm trying to come up with a backup plan early in case I don't get accepted this cycle. Here are the stats that I am applying with:

BCP: 2.77
Science: 2.96
Overall: 2.74

I know that my GPA is my biggest weakness so I am planning on doing a one year masters and owning that so I can raise my GPA. My question is if I do well in that and get above a 3.5 should I retake the DAT also?

AA: 21
TS: 20
RC: 21
QR: 18
Bio: 18
GC: 19
OC: 28
PAT: 19

Any comments/suggestions are greatly appreciated!

To boost your GPA from 2.8~2.9 to 3.5, you will need at least 2 years of post bacc/ masters not if more. if you aim for 3.3, you still need at least 2 years I'd say. I believe DAT score expires in 3 years, some say two. So if you spend your time wisely then you won't have to take DAT again but you might need to if the time passes too much

 

[ushaseos]

To boost your GPA from 2.8~2.9 to 3.5, you will need at least 2 years of post bacc/ masters not if more. if you aim for 3.3, you still need at least 2 years I'd say. I believe DAT score expires in 3 years, some say two. So if you spend your time wisely then you won't have to take DAT again but you might need to if the time passes too much

Might actually do better on the DAT a second time around if you prep well. Just being a glass half-full kinda guy.

 

[mustardseed5]

Yeah, especially after all those heavy science courses!

 

[dental diva]

oo can i get in on this advice thread too? haha

i applied to 7 schools, 3.1 sci/3.3 overall, and i was hoping to do amazing on the dats and didn't do so well. 18 AA, 18 TS (21 gchem 19 ochem 16bio). i'm studying to re-take on October 8th, but with school going on at the same time i know it's gonna be hard.

would you guys suggest that i just retake in january since i'm already going to be late anyway?

 

[rootz02]

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