Seems like it's over for me

[Chemiguy]

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For this cycle anyway. Now I am preparing for the next cycle and I have a ton of questions. I scored 18TS/19AA/20PAT but with RC 15. So it is given that I will have to retake. But I've just found out that according to the statistic from ADA, applicants who take DAT more than once do worse every subsequent time😱.
My GPA isn't spectacular either. It is at lower 3.
Until a couple of days ago I was thinking about taking at least 3 courses during the summer but I've realized those grades won't be in until the academic update, which is going to be in Nov, Dec. By then it's too late, I think. I am not sure if the schools would even care to look at the update.
I don't know what to do. I feel at this point very disappointed, angry, frustrated all rolled into one confusing mass.
Please share your ideas. I thank you in advance.

 

[blankguy]

I've taken the DAT twice and on the 2nd time my PAT went up from 17 to 21. Everything else pretty much stayed the same. I think if you really want to do better on the repeat you need to look at how you prepared the 1st time and remedy the weaknesses in preparation (maybe not enough practice tests?). Screw the general trend about repeats, it's all about your unique case. There are plenty of people on SDN who have done better on the retakes. Don't worry about late grades, just send them directly to the schools as official transcripts as soon as you can and update the AADSAS.

 

[kdawg]

For this cycle anyway. Now I am preparing for the next cycle and I have a ton of questions. I scored 18TS/19AA/20PAT but with RC 15. So it is given that I will have to retake. But I've just found out that according to the statistic from ADA, applicants who take DAT more than once do worse every subsequent time😱.
My GPA isn't spectacular either. It is at lower 3.
Until a couple of days ago I was thinking about taking at least 3 courses during the summer but I've realized those grades won't be in until the academic update, which is going to be in Nov, Dec. By then it's too late, I think. I am not sure if the schools would even care to look at the update.
I don't know what to do. I feel at this point very disappointed, angry, frustrated all rolled into one confusing mass.
Please share your ideas. I thank you in advance.

You don't have a bad DAT, other than the RC. My scores were similar, 19, 20, 20 with a 17 RC and I got acceptances. It seems the glaring negative on your app is the GPA. In my opinion, you can't do much about your GPA at this point, assuming that you are a senior. If you haven't taken many upper level science (esp. BIOL) then A's in some of those courses could help offset your GPA. Without knowing the other variables in your app, I would say to retake the DAT with the goal of scoring 21's across the board. If you want to err on the side of caution then you'll need those scores on the DAT along with some solid dental-related volunteering, research, personal statement, and interviewing skills.

I think that many schools are willing to overlook a lower GPA or a low score in one section of the DAT, provided that the applicant is impressive in other areas. Instead of wasting your time and killing yourself during a summer semester of school, why don't you work on doing some meaningful service and/or work in the dental field to demonstrate your commitment to the field. Unless you NEED the classes, I think your time is better spent in improving your app in these other areas.

You have a few months until the new application cycle starts. If I were you I would plan on applying no later than July. This is plenty of time to get strengthen those areas of your app that are weak. Once you have your app looking impressive, take some time to study for the DAT. Use the whole summer if you have to, work fewer hours at your job, move in with your parents, study on the weekends and nights...DO WHATEVER IT TAKES to get the scores you need. Then when you have those 21's across the board, you send them off to all your schools (who by now have been waiting anxiously for your scores after being impressed by your outstanding app!).🙂

Reapplying sucks, but is not the end of the world. I'm a reapplicant and I think I may actually be better off this time around. Work hard and good luck.

 

[TheDrewYouKnew]

I improved in every single section across the board when I retook the DAT, most notably an increase from a 15 (25th %ile) to a 21 (92nd %ile) in Biology. And mi AA went from 82nd percentile to 92nd. I studied 4-8 hours a day for almost a month for the retake and I had taken additional Biology coursework..

 

[Montserrat]

For this cycle anyway. Now I am preparing for the next cycle and I have a ton of questions. I scored 18TS/19AA/20PAT but with RC 15. So it is given that I will have to retake. But I've just found out that according to the statistic from ADA, applicants who take DAT more than once do worse every subsequent time😱.
My GPA isn't spectacular either. It is at lower 3.
Until a couple of days ago I was thinking about taking at least 3 courses during the summer but I've realized those grades won't be in until the academic update, which is going to be in Nov, Dec. By then it's too late, I think. I am not sure if the schools would even care to look at the update.
I don't know what to do. I feel at this point very disappointed, angry, frustrated all rolled into one confusing mass.
Please share your ideas. I thank you in advance.

I wouldn't dismiss the option of retaking the DAT based upon how the (ADA) feels about exam retakes. I'd wager that there are people out there who work very hard in their DAT preparation but can't improve their scores for whatever reason. However, don't preemptively assume that you are among them.

 

[thefifthbeatle]

Hey...I retook the DAT..I barely studied the first time, and got 15/16's and ended up with 18/19/21 on the retake. If I were to retake a third time, my score would go down or not change. It all depends on how you treated the first test. If you studied your balls off to no avail, a second re-test isn't a guarantee for a higher score. But I studied lightly the first time, and got successful in the end!!!

 

[rose786]

I agree with the above, don't let some statistic stop you! Browse the DAT forum and you'll see plenty of people who beat the trend.

 

[predentn]

I think if you really want to do better on the repeat you need to look at how you prepared the 1st time and remedy the weaknesses in preparation

.

 

[Chemiguy]

Should I not bother with summer courses then? I mean given that I will imporve on my DAT.
I am not sure if schools would accept transcript directly without AADSAS verification even if it is official copy.

 

[CMistry]

Actually I just looked at the ADA statistics and realized it's not at all what I thought. People who retake the DAT do NOT on average drop about a point.

The average for people who take their first DAT is XX.

The average for people tho retake their DAT a second time DAT is XX.

There are two different population pools; and it makes sense that people who do poorly retake the DAT, and do not do as well as the people are happy with their scores the first time around. Therefore the "repeaters" have a lower average however they may all be improving on their scores. I improved my second time around and I did not do anything spectacular, just traditional study habits.

 

[sharpie88]

Dont give up, I have a 18AA, 19TS, and 18PAT, and I have received interviews for schools. When I retook the DAT the biggest jumps I saw were the O. chem score, 17 to 22. and TS 17 to 19. Good luck!

 

[scottyhoop]

I think given your GPA you have to take the DAT over and score above 20 in all sections. Since your GPA is on the low side, you need to crush the DATand make sure all other aspects of your application are strong. It can be done so work hard and you'll be fine. Best of luck!
Scott

 

[youngmc27]

I took the DAT twice and improved my score the second time around and applied again. Long story short I am a first year student at USC and I love it. Learn a strategy that works for you on the RC and practice it a ton and you can improve your score. If you are a good reader adn practice your strategy you will improve your score.