Should i re-take the dat?

[gwb128]

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just took the dat and not pleased with myself. i was wondering if i should re-take it. Also if there would be time to take it before this application year is up, which im guessing would be in January (6 months from today). my scores were….

19 AA / 20 TS / 22 PAT / QR 17 / RC 19 / Bio 22 / GC 21 / OC 18

i am unsure about my GPA i think it is somewhere between a 3.1 - 3.2

TopScore and Kaplan was averaging 21-23 AA

 

[RSalha17]

just took the dat and not pleased with myself. i was wondering if i should re-take it. Also if there would be time to take it before this application year is up, which im guessing would be in January (6 months from today). my scores were….

19 AA / 20 TS / 22 PAT / QR 17 / RC 19 / Bio 22 / GC 21 / OC 18

i am unsure about my GPA i think it is somewhere between a 3.1 - 3.2

TopScore and Kaplan was averaging 21-23 AA

This is tough because you are above average with your scores but not enough above average to make up for the 3.1 gpa. If I were you I would retake the test. I don't think your scores can cover the GPA, but then again I don't know your background or your EC's or your story. So do what you feel is right. Good luck with everything!

 

[b0110]

just took the dat and not pleased with myself. i was wondering if i should re-take it. Also if there would be time to take it before this application year is up, which im guessing would be in January (6 months from today). my scores were….

19 AA / 20 TS / 22 PAT / QR 17 / RC 19 / Bio 22 / GC 21 / OC 18

i am unsure about my GPA i think it is somewhere between a 3.1 - 3.2

TopScore and Kaplan was averaging 21-23 AA

I personally wouldn't. Your lowest is a 17 in QR, which is arguable the least important section. Then again, it wouldn't hurt to take it again, but it also may not really help since it would be so late.

 

[dskornha]

just took the dat and not pleased with myself. i was wondering if i should re-take it. Also if there would be time to take it before this application year is up, which im guessing would be in January (6 months from today). my scores were….

19 AA / 20 TS / 22 PAT / QR 17 / RC 19 / Bio 22 / GC 21 / OC 18

i am unsure about my GPA i think it is somewhere between a 3.1 - 3.2

TopScore and Kaplan was averaging 21-23 AA

Your scores are pretty solid. Especially PAT. AA would look a lot better if it was a point higher. Unfortunate QR was only 17, but thats probably the least important section, but that could have put you at 20.

The GPA is the real issue. You will probably need to raise that to be a competitive applicant (maybe post-bac or masters would help. I would strongly recommend one of the two if you are serious).

I had very similar stats to you and was declined from every school after college. I enrolled in a Master's program, did very well, and now consider myself a much stronger candidate for admissions. If you dont want to take that route, I would probably re-take the DAT and hope that you kill it the next time. That is your best shot if you dont want to take more classes. But then again, the decision is yours. Best of luck.

 

[DoeAdeer]

just took the dat and not pleased with myself. i was wondering if i should re-take it. Also if there would be time to take it before this application year is up, which im guessing would be in January (6 months from today). my scores were….

19 AA / 20 TS / 22 PAT / QR 17 / RC 19 / Bio 22 / GC 21 / OC 18

i am unsure about my GPA i think it is somewhere between a 3.1 - 3.2

TopScore and Kaplan was averaging 21-23 AA

Definitely retake.

 

[gwb128]

yeah i know my GPA is the issue, but since i was getting 21-23 on my practice test i wasn't to concerned. Would January be to late for a re-take for this application cycle?

 

[periopocket]

I would take 18 credits science this upcoming semester instead..GL

 

[KittySquared]

I would take 18 credits science this upcoming semester instead..GL

I actually agree with this. Study your behind off and bring up your GPA a little. The DAT has risks because you might end up getting a point lower on TS or any of the sections. Whereas you can always get a higher grade for the next exam for classes.

 

[toyotasupra]

I think either is a hit or miss..... Personally, I think it's easier to re-take the DAT.

I took 9 credits last term to boost my science GPA, it costed: $950!

So if you are going to take 18 credits, it's gonna cost ~$1,500 depending on the school.

The DAT is only $400.

And about your GPA, is that the overall or the science GPA?

 

[gwb128]

Both they are about the same. I won't know exact numbers yet but I know it's in that range

 

[TXAggieDDS]

I actually agree with this. Study your behind off and bring up your GPA a little. The DAT has risks because you might end up getting a point lower on TS or any of the sections. Whereas you can always get a higher grade for the next exam for classes.

I also think your DAT is fine! Don't retake it, it's risky. I think you should mainly focus on raising your GPA!

 

[finchy86]

just took the dat and not pleased with myself. i was wondering if i should re-take it. Also if there would be time to take it before this application year is up, which im guessing would be in January (6 months from today). my scores were….

19 AA / 20 TS / 22 PAT / QR 17 / RC 19 / Bio 22 / GC 21 / OC 18

i am unsure about my GPA i think it is somewhere between a 3.1 - 3.2

TopScore and Kaplan was averaging 21-23 AA

Your scores are somewhat average. I know it isn't the best feeling to have average schools but you may have a chance yet. Don't give up. Getting into dental school is a crapshoot. Best of luck to you!

 

[asummer927]

.

 

[KittySquared]

I think you probably have around 90 credits, correct?

3.1 * 90 credits = 297 points

if you took 15 credits in the fall and 15 credits in the spring and got a 3.8 GPA

297 + 30 * 3.8 = 411 points

GPA by end of next spring = 411 points / (90+ 30 credits) = 3.425

That's not bad at all. I'd also take maybe 9 credits in the first summer session and gain another 50 shadowing/assisting hours and get some really good letters of rec. The more of those that are science the better. Applying with a 3.4 and 19/20/22 makes you a pretty decent applicant actually.

In my opinion, taking the DAT is a much higher risk versus sucking it up and nailing 2 semesters of school but that's just me. Monetarily it's significantly more expensive to take another year of classes, however.

 

[gwb128]

im at 120 credits, everything would be post-bach

 

[KittySquared]

im at 120 credits, everything would be post-bach

This is even better. Making 3.0 minimum means you will be reviewed. But if you do well with postbac for at least 1 semester with around 15 credits or more, it'll come out as a separate column of GPA in your school. You'll have your undergrad GPA and then postbac GPA. Not only would postbac GPA be factored into your undergrad overall GPA, you'll also have it as a separate column and adcoms can see that you've done much better this year. It could work in your favor quite a bit.

 

[ushaseos]

I think you can get away with your stats if you apply to many schools. GPA a little below avg, DAT a little above (would be solid if QR was higher since that would make your AA 20).

I will only say this: If you're going to re-take, do so ASAP. The longer you delay the worse your chances become.

 

[toyotasupra]

Personally, if I had your DAT score, I would just call it a day. A 17 in QR is fine. The average entering DAT is a 19-20.

Just focus on your EC and you will be fine. Plus if you are a URM, you will probably get in no problem with those stats. 😉

 

[OMF_HNS]

If you do not happen to get accepted this cycle, i'd probably retake to at least get an AA of 20 or greater just because the difference in percentage between 19 and a 20 is great than the diff between a 21-22. But i'm not saying that you should shoot for a 20 obviously. Go for 22s across the board or higher. But if you can get that sGPA to at least a 3.4 or higher, it may compensate for your 19 AA. Best of luck with applications. Since no single factor can determine your acceptance, I cant say that the current scores will hinder your chances as your ECs, PS, LORs, and etc may attract the Adcom's attention. =]

once again, good luck!

oh and dont worry bout that QR, most schools don't weigh that in too much as long as you do not get below their minimum (usually 17, depending on school).

 

[asdfray]

your DAT scores are very similar with mine! (19AA/20TS/21PA) - everything above 19 except QR (which was a 17)

I also recieved lots of comments regarding my DAT issue and I thought I needed to retake too. The upside is obviously you can raise your stats enough to overcome the low GPA. However, the downside definitely outweighs the benefits at this point. It's already end of july and you won't be able to take till mid to end of october, which is already late, if you're holding your application for your new DAT scores. At that point, I wouldn't think much will overcome your GPA + you dont even know you'll do better the 2nd time around for your DAT.

If you got the money, I say just go for it and take a chance and not retake the DAT. Just my 2 cent.

 

[nguyenq09]

I think you are pretty good. Do you guys mind checking my stats out?

AA:21
QR:19
RC:20
Biology:18
GC:23
OC:23
TS:20
PAT:19

 

[OMF_HNS]

I think you are pretty good. Do you guys mind checking my stats out?

AA:21
QR:19
RC:20
Biology:18
GC:23
OC:23
TS:20
PAT:19

AA is good, TS is decent. Only thing is your Biology. It may be above the minimums but typically schools want at least a 20 in all the science sections. But i'm sure you'll get responses this cycle. If not retake and try to get at least 20 in each section, and PAT too.

GOod luck