Retook the DAT, now I regret it. Should I even apply?

[mempact]

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The first time I took the DAT, I got 20 PA/16 QR/20 RC/21 BIO/18 GC/18 OC/19 TS/19 AA. It wasn't too shocking, since I had spent way more time studying and stressing over the other subjects. Today I retook the DAT, mostly to improve my QR score. And I had worked hard on it. Leaving Prometric, I cried as soon as I got the car door closed... my new scores are are 19 PA/15 QR/20 RC/20 BIO/20 GC/20 OC/20 TS/19 AA. I didn't just fail to improve, I made it worse.

I guess my question is, should I apply, or would that just be setting more money on fire? Would my previous QR scores be looked at more, or the new ones? Does anyone know of any okay schools that wouldn't trash my application?

Sorry if there are too many posts like this already. I'm still very emotional and don't know what to do with myself. I'm not sure how it will work in my situation, where I don't have extremely high scores in some other area to offset this. Everything about my application is just average, except for my abysmal auto-reject QR scores (I had a 3.5 gpa, probably a pretty average college extracurricular resume, and did AmeriCorps after college).

 

[DAT Destroyer]

The first time I took the DAT, I got 20 PA/16 QR/20 RC/21 BIO/18 GC/18 OC/19 TS/19 AA. It wasn't too shocking, since I had spent way more time studying and stressing over the other subjects. Today I retook the DAT, mostly to improve my QR score. And I had worked hard on it. Leaving Prometric, I cried as soon as I got the car door closed... my new scores are are 19 PA/15 QR/20 RC/20 BIO/20 GC/20 OC/20 TS/19 AA. I didn't just fail to improve, I made it worse.

I guess my question is, should I apply, or would that just be setting more money on fire? Would my previous QR scores be looked at more, or the new ones? Does anyone know of any okay schools that wouldn't trash my application?

Sorry if there are too many posts like this already. I'm still very emotional and don't know what to do with myself. I'm not sure how it will work in my situation, where I don't have extremely high scores in some other area to offset this. Everything about my application is just average, except for my abysmal auto-reject QR scores (I had a 3.5 gpa, probably a pretty average college extracurricular resume, and did AmeriCorps after college).

Do not be too hard on yourself, you did raise your TS and that is a good thing. You did fantastic outside of QR, so focus on that. I have seen students get accepted with 15 in QR. Most schools frown on below 15.....Make sure you have a very strong personal statement to get the door opened for an interview. Thank you for your service with Americorps, that will also stand out on your application.

Wishing you the best..Nancy

 

[Pearl E. White]

Don't be too upset. There are other strengths to your application. Good luck!

 

[Faefly]

I remember last year, someone got in a dental school with 14 Qr, you can do this!
Don't give up!

 

[DAT Destroyer]

I remember last year, someone got in a dental school with 14 Qr, you can do this!
Don't give up!

Just curious, do you remember what school they go into with a 14?

Thanks..

 

[Blackca3]

I have a family member who is in their third year of dental school. He had very similar scores to you except a 14 in QR. He received 6 interviews. If I were in your situation I would still apply. Most likely they will see your QR score and then reference your transcript to see what you scored in your math courses.

 

[digzthis]

Just curious, do you remember what school they go into with a 14?

Thanks..

I believe it was Case Western.

 

[digzthis]

Dental school acceptance is possible with 14 QR

 

[mempact]

Thank you so much for all of your replies! I feel a little bit better-- still upset with my results, but better. And I will go ahead and apply-- I will just have to call ahead to see if individual schools accept QR scores like that.

By the way, does anyone know if there a list of schools known to be lax about QR, specifically?

 

[digzthis]

I think you're good. Compilation of DAT minimum requirements ("cut-offs")

 

[Auntymarkovnikov]

just out of curiosity, did you do Math Destroyer?

 

[mempact]

No, but I used DAT Destroyer. I also used Crack the DAT, Chad's coursesaver videos, and went through some GRE style QC problems. My problems wasn't an inability to do the math, it was a speed problem.

I've always been slow at math-- I had As in my college math courses, but probably only because those tests weren't timed.

 

[vaorstudent]

I would take the DAT again... Below 16 is a automatic no from many schools.