Second time applying, chances? Need suggestions please :)

[axk1267]

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Hi All,
I would like to start by saying this is an awesome forum and everyone is so helpful, Im hoping to get some advice myself.

I applied last year with a 3.55 overall GPA and my DAT was:
Ochem 19
Gen chem 19
Bio 18
Reading 18
QR 14🙁
PR 19

Overal my score was an 18. I had great letters, good shadowing experience, decent PS, etc
I applied to the 3 schools in texas and didnt get a single interview. Completed my app on August 1st.

I realize that my QR might have been below the cut off of the schools (ive heard its 16), and so I decided to retake it. Ive since:

graduated with overall GPA of 3.61 (science GPA is not far behind, cant remember it right now)
started a Kaplan course to help review (not sure how helpful it is..)
Bought the new destroyer version and have been going through it all (very helpful)
Crack dat PAT for PR
Cliffs bio
Chads videos to again help with review


My main question is, do you guys think that it was the QR score that didnt get me a single interview? I would hate to put all this work (and money) in and still not get an interview because theres something else in my app thats causing me to be ignored.

Im afraid maybe my GPA is still too low? I am definitely going to be shooting for above a 20 this time, I feel pretty confident with my abilities, and having sat through it once I feel much better about it. I just want to cover my bases this time and make sure I dont miss anything.

Am I missing anything in my review material?? Should I go ahead and get DatQvault and achiever in addition the kaplan course? (theres a bunch of subject quizzes, and I think 2 full length tests in there, maybe more but I dont know that its enough).

I would love some suggestions, comments, criticism, etc.


Thank you for taking the time to read my post!

 

[ryansgs]

-Apply to more schools, 3 is too little.

-Your GPA is fine, just keep doing well in your classes.

-Your DAT is, as you know, very low. What is your AA like 17? That's why the rejection. The low QR just made it worse for you. Get at least a 20AA next time and I feel you will get in.

-Get DATqVault, the math is easy (at least to me) but it does reflect the QR section and it is very good practice.

-Get the whole DATqVault. Do everything bio, GC, OC, RC, QR. Very worth it.

-I personally really dislike Kaplan. I took their course for when I was studying for the MCAT (before I decided to do dental) and it was easily the biggest waste of money in my entire life. For me studying alone is the far superior option. Though if you're set on doing it don't let me stop you, maybe you'll have a better experience with it then me.

-Don't get achiever just for the math section. I bought it because I wanted to shock my system with something hard and see how I do, so that when I took the real thing it felt so much easier. Only get it if you want to do what I did and have a lot of time to focus on this because this will ruin your confidence and you will need time to build it up again.

-Do everything in the math section of the regular DAT Destroyer book. Its extremely similar to the actual QR section. I even had a few questions that were eerily similar to it.

-I recommend you get the Math Destroyer if you feel you need more practice.

-The most important thing for the QR section is to TIME yourself when you are studying for it. You don't want to be too slow on test day and not be able to answer the last few questions.

-Don't forget to study everything evenly and not to focus too much on studying only the math section. The QR section is the least important section, so get at least a 19 or 20. Though obviously higher is better b/c the QR section can be an easy boost to your AA. And I've seen more people get 30 on this section than in any other.

-Just so you don't think I'm talking out my as* I got a 24/25/24

 

[bluemoon27]

I second what the above poster said. Also apply earlier! August DAT meant your scores came in a bit later than that to the schools, so make sure you get it done earlier. so 3 problem areas to fix: your math DAT, your timing, and number of schools you applied to.

 

[Hawkteeth]

Third that, Ryan is spot on. Math Destroyer helped me alot too.

 

[axk1267]

Thank you for your input guys, especially ryansgs for typing that out for me.

I was on the fence about DatQvault and achiever but I will definitely get DATQ to start with. when it comes time Ill think about achiever.

As far as the Kaplan goes, I dont like it much either but parents told me they would cover it (to them a "class" is the end-all of prep) so I went ahead and signed up. Its a ton of material, but I was hoping to use their subject quizzes to fine tune where I need the most work after finishing my other prep materials (chads, destroyer, cliffs, etc)

To be completely honest, last time I took the DAT, I studied for about a month, never finished any of the destroyer sections, and didnt even bother looking at the math thinking I would be ok. This time around I bought the updated destroyer alongside the math. Ive finished the math section of the big book and learned alot. I plan on finishing the Math destroyer as well. And Ive given myself about 3 months of total time to study for it.

timing again is an awesome point, I felt than on the real DAT the material wasnt too bad but I just ran out of time (last 10 questions I guessed on). Ill take your advice and start timing myself. Im guessing in the Math destroyer, its split up into "tests" for this very reason.👍


bluemoon27, Hawkteeth thanks for the advice as well. I definitely will apply earlier this time around. Ive got my application pretty much ready, letters are already sent to the committee that does dental school apps at school. So basically their only waiting on my scores and PS. I planned on taking the exam in May but might put it off till July depending on how soon I can get destroyer knocked out.

Also not sure if they do this in other states, but in Texas we are allowed to take the unofficial scores from the prometric center and fax them into the dental school here so they can process our apps early.


Thanks alot for the advice everyone, Im glad I posted on here, there are some things I need to do.


If anyones got any other advice, Id love to hear it.

Thanks!!

 

[Bottle]

did you apply for 3 schools only ? thats big mistake.

apply to +15 at least. i know its hard with all those fees but its totally worth it !

 

[Bis-GMA111]

your gpas are solid.

follow these steps:

1. go through the destroyer--make notes of what you don't understand. when you've reviewed everything, go back and review your notes.
2. go through chad's videos, take notes. go over those notes. LEARN concepts for orgo, do not memorize all the reactions.
3. practice some PAT so you're not rusty
4. retake the DAT in june/july
5. invest in the adea book--i can't stress that enough
5. apply BROADLY.

 

[axk1267]

your gpas are solid.

follow these steps:

1. go through the destroyer--make notes of what you don't understand. when you've reviewed everything, go back and review your notes.
2. go through chad's videos, take notes. go over those notes. LEARN concepts for orgo, do not memorize all the reactions.
3. practice some PAT so you're not rusty
4. retake the DAT in june/july
5. invest in the adea book--i can't stress that enough
5. apply BROADLY.

Yes I unfortunately only applied to 3. I was so disheartened with my score I figured why waste the money with out of state apps. At that point I knew I was going to have to retake it next cycle, but I already had my app done so I went ahead and applied to the three schools in texas.


preDENT1210 this is almost exactly what Im doing, nice to know Im on the right track. Depending on when I finish my reviewing I will be taking it mid July or so.
Also Ive never heard of the ADEA book, just googled it and it seems pretty informative, definitely worth the 35 bucks huh?

Will definitely apply to more schools this time, 15+ at least. Luckily my parents are going to kick in the costs of my exam, application, etc so I will definitely take advantage of that.

I really appreciate it guys! Please let me know if I can do anything else to be prepared for this go around.