Retaking DAT in late October

[roundmarble]

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I took my DAT on 7/24 and scored below average.

PAT: 19
QR: 18
RC: 19
BIO: 19
GC: 18
OC: 18
TS: 18
AA: 18

gpa: 3.482

I decided pursue dentistry in Dec of this year so I had little time to shadow, volunteer, and studying for the DAT. After graduating, I thought I had enough time to study in 1 month while finishing up shadowing and volunteering. I was wrong. After 4 weeks of content review, I spent the last few days going over everything I had study instead of doing DAT Destroyer (only did about 5% during my content review). Due to my financial situation, I was reluctant to reschedule for $100. It was my mistake. Now, I cannot retake until Oct 22. Should I retake the DAT that late into the cycle? Was planning on submitting my app 1 week after my DAT, but my scores are horrible.

 

[roundmarble]

Your scores are actually average, not below average at all. How many hours of shadowing and volunteering do you have?
And is that your overall GPA, or is it your science? Could you provide the other?

That is my overall GPA. My sGPA is 3.41
I have 100 hrs of shadowing, 200 hrs of volunteering, and 500 hours of research.
Everything about my app and stats screams average. Hopefully, my personal statement and LORs will help me to earn a few interviews.

 

[DAT Destroyer]

I took my DAT on 7/24 and scored below average.

PAT: 19
QR: 18
RC: 19
BIO: 19
GC: 18
OC: 18
TS: 18
AA: 18

gpa: 3.482

I decided pursue dentistry in Dec of this year so I had little time to shadow, volunteer, and studying for the DAT. After graduating, I thought I had enough time to study in 1 month while finishing up shadowing and volunteering. I was wrong. After 4 weeks of content review, I spent the last few days going over everything I had study instead of doing DAT Destroyer (only did about 5% during my content review). Due to my financial situation, I was reluctant to reschedule for $100. It was my mistake. Now, I cannot retake until Oct 22. Should I retake the DAT that late into the cycle? Was planning on submitting my app 1 week after my DAT, but my scores are horrible.

Your scores are not horrible, they are average and will not be competitive at some schools. Depending on where you apply you should have a good chance at obtaining an interview. Don't beat yourself up. Should you decide to retake the DAT feel free to message me and I can offer some advice for the retake.

Nancy

 

[FeralisExtremum]

Average accepted dental student has a 20 AA/TS, I don't think it's necessarily accurate to call these scores average.

You could still have a shot this cycle but I would re-take just to prepare for next cycle if reapplying is necessary.

 

[DAT Destroyer]

Average accepted dental student has a 20 AA/TS, I don't think it's necessarily accurate to call these scores average.

You could still have a shot this cycle but I would re-take just to prepare for next cycle if reapplying is necessary.

Where are you getting these statistics on average? Thanks for posting, I would like to see these stats, perhaps I am in error.

I use 20/20 as a rule of thumb, but I have worked with many students who have gotten in below that mark, just depends on the school and other factors.

 

[caffeine jitters]

Where are you getting these statistics on average? Thanks for posting, I would like to see these stats, perhaps I am in error.

I use 20/20 as a rule of thumb, but I have worked with many students who have gotten in below that mark, just depends on the school and other factors.

SDN
Start Class

 

[FeralisExtremum]

Where are you getting these statistics on average? Thanks for posting, I would like to see these stats, perhaps I am in error.

I use 20/20 as a rule of thumb, but I have worked with many students who have gotten in below that mark, just depends on the school and other factors.

ADEA chart for 2015-2016 class

Checking only "Matriculated" on the first DAT tab, the average overall DAT is a 20.28
If you use the second DAT tab, the average total science DAT for matriculated students is 20.15

 

[DAT Destroyer]

SDN
Start Class

Thanks! But I do see quite a few schools under the 20 mark, so it just depends on where you are applying. I work with students year round and many get in with scores below the 20 mark and some with GPA's less than ideal..not ideal to score under 20, but not a definite rejection either.

 

[roundmarble]

Thank you for all the advices. Despite my DAT score not being competitive, I will go ahead and apply this cycle and retaking DAT if necessary before next cycle.

 

[DAT Destroyer]

Thank you for all the advices. Despite my DAT score not being competitive, I will go ahead and apply this cycle and retaking DAT if necessary before next cycle.

Keep us posted, and should you decide to retake, message me and I feel confident we can move your scores upward!

Wishing you the best..Nancy

 

[MendiT13]

Thank you for all the advices. Despite my DAT score not being competitive, I will go ahead and apply this cycle and retaking DAT if necessary before next cycle.

Like Orgoman said, they are good scores...It may not be an "excellent" AA, but I think an 18 is exactly where you need to be to even be considered. It is the average AA range for the students that apply (18-19) at most schools, but not matriculated (20-21). where are you applying? I think you have a shot. Like you said, apply with what you have and if don't make it, reapply. How do your ECs look? Just continue to do ECs/Volunteer/work to strength your app in case you need it for next cycle. Good Luck!!!!

 

[Faefly]

It's not If necessary, it's actually necessary to retake especially since you are applying anyway, so why not better your chances, you'll update them with your scores and maybe they'll let you in, if they didn't let you in this cycle, not a big problem since you already retook it and improved which better your chances for next year.

And your gpa is not very high!
So it would not hurt if you take some post-grad courses to improve it while you are waiting.

 

[roundmarble]

It's not If necessary, it's actually necessary to retake especially since you are applying anyway, so why not better your chances, you'll update them with your scores and maybe they'll let you in, if they didn't let you in this cycle, not a big problem since you already retook it and improved which better your chances for next year.

And your gpa is not very high!
So it would not hurt if you take some post-grad courses to improve it while you are waiting.

I am definitely retaking the DAT. Just not sure when, this cycle or next cycle. One of the dental schools I am applying to (WESTU) requires that DAT must be taken by October 15th of the year of application. That's why I am undecided whether to retake DAT before submitting this cycle (November submission) or to submit the app now (August) and retake DAT for next cycle. By the way, I personally believe I have strong LORs (research, dentist, 2 science profs) so submitting in 1 week might gave me a small chance.

 

[FeralisExtremum]

I am definitely retaking the DAT. Just not sure when, this cycle or next cycle. One of the dental schools I am applying to (WESTU) requires that DAT must be taken by October 15th of the year of application. That's why I am undecided whether to retake DAT before submitting this cycle (November submission) or to submit the app now (August) and retake DAT for next cycle. By the way, I personally believe I have strong LORs (research, dentist, 2 science profs) so submitting in 1 week might gave me a small chance.

Submitting in November would be way, way too late to stand a reasonable chance this cycle.

 

[Faefly]

I am definitely retaking the DAT. Just not sure when, this cycle or next cycle. One of the dental schools I am applying to (WESTU) requires that DAT must be taken by October 15th of the year of application. That's why I am undecided whether to retake DAT before submitting this cycle (November submission) or to submit the app now (August) and retake DAT for next cycle. By the way, I personally believe I have strong LORs (research, dentist, 2 science profs) so submitting in 1 week might gave me a small chance.

You are asking some hard questions because no one really knows the right answer. No one, not even ad comm, because they have to see a full case first before deciding a no, a yes, or a maybe.

you can still submit now and update them with the new dat, some schools might give you interviews, and then by the time of the interview, they might change their mind and accept you since your dat improved(hopefully).

If you submit now, you need to indicate that you are retaking the dat.

and who am I or anyone to stand in your way, if you have this gut feeling, sometimes that is all you need to reach your goals, but like I said, tell them you are re-taking.

and keep working on bettering your chances in case you didn't get in this cycle.