retaking the DAT

[phatz]

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I've spent a large amount of time reading threads on this subject, and at time, i'm inspired, and other times discouraged. Hoping I can get some advice.

I have a low gpa (sub 3.0), average DATs with a low PAT and Math. I plan on taking the DATs again.... I'm applying right now. How late can I take the DAT's before schools get a chance to review my application...I was thinking August?

The schools i'm applying to are: (I'm a VA resident)

Howard University
Nova Southeastern University
Indiana University
University of Maryland
Boston University
University of Detroit Mercy
Univ. of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
New York University
University of Pittsburgh
Temple University
Virginia Commonwealth University

Would these schools give me a better chance of receiving an interview?

Thanks in advance!

 

[drPheta]

In all honesty, and I hate to break it to you this way, but the DAT is the least of your worries now. Even if you had a stellar run in the last couple years in your coursework, that sub 3.0 GPA is something that will definitely hinder your interview invites, let alone your acceptances.

Give us some more background, and maybe a brighter picture can be drawn, but everytime someone mentions retaking the DAT and a low GPA, that raises flags about the high probability for outright adcom rejections.

 

[UMDeeMan]

drPheta, so does a 3.1-3.2 gpa not cut it either? just wondering.

 

[phatz]

drPheta,

here's some more background info.

my first year, I wasn't pre-health at all....i went down the business route and grades were extremely low. I picked up the pre-dental route my second year...and my gpa increased. But, I made a few mistakes by getting C- and D in core classes like physics and cell bio. My third year, I had a knee injury (tore a ligament) that really brought my grades down....especially in orgo (and had to withdraw from orgo lab). My fourth year, my gpa went up, but it wasn't enough to counterbalance the bad grades, and first year.


I was the predental club president this past year.
I have a summer's worth of shadowing a dentist.
This summer, I'm shadowing a dentist in Africa.
For my inbetween year, I have applied to a one year MPh program.

I guess that's it... so do you suggest I don't retake the DATs? Also, will dental schools take into consideration what undergrad college you went into...for example, if it is a top school or not.

 

[drPheta]

A GPA of 3.0+ will be ok, but I'm not going to say it's good, especially considering today's competition. I've noticed an upward trend in the stats of applicants that hasn't seemed to falter or plateau.

phatz, your knee injury will redeem you. How much? I don't know. I do know that your first year will definitely be a factor. Your second year, getting C and D in phsics and cell bio, are not going to be acceptable because you did not have any reason to do so poorly. You WILL have to show some redemption on that C and D, and although you had your knee injury the adcoms will see the previous two years and think,

"well this person wasn't on a great streak in the first place. I don't know if this knee injury really prevented him from shining that much. We could give him the benefit of the doubt, but maybe he just needs to show us otherwise first."

I do like that you were predental club president for the past year, and that you did take the time to go out and shadow a dentist. This summer one in Africa will show even more dedication.

So, this is what I suggest, and I hope others WHO HAVE DEALT WITH THIS SITUATION chime in. I don't want this to turn into a fight between people's opinions (too many threads end up being such). You could do any/all of the following, though I suggest you at least do #1.

1. Call the schools you're interested in, and tell them your situation. Chances are they'll tell you what I'm going to further tell you.

2. Hold off on applying and clean up your blemishes. If you retake physics and cell bio and get As in them, it shows that you can handle dental school at the very least, and your GPA may have been indeed a fluke.

3. Do a complete Post-Bacc program of some sort to add to your final year(s) of improvement, and retake physics and cell bio during a summer (which is easier than taking it during the regular year anyway).

4. Try to spend some time in a graduate program and get your Masters in something, do some research (doesn't have to be dental related) and make sure you keep on track for the next year.

I strongly advise you to wait till the next cycle to apply. Save your responses, essay, etc. make sure you got all the answers correct, included all your extra-curriculars, and submit it on DAY 1 of the next cycle. You'd be the first group to be reviewed, invited, interviewed, and possibly accepted because of rolling admisions. Additionally, if you're waitlisted, you'll be first in that line as well.

5. Don't forget to retake the DAT sometime between now and a month before your submit your application (if you decide to wait till next cycle to apply). Study hard for it, practice practice practice, and do well. That's imperitive.