Should I retake and if so, when?

[2PacClone23]

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I currently have a 3.3 AADSAS GPA. I took the DAT back in September and I got


Bio - 17
Chem - 22
Ochem - 17
PAT - 19
RC - 24
QR - 17
TS - 18
AA - 19

The problem is, well my GPA is pretty low, and my science GPA is even lower than most averages. I really want to retake, but I don't know when! I was pretty certain on taking it during Christmas break but that means ANOTHER break off that I'd be stuck in a room studying...my whole summer was pretty much spent on the DAT. During X-mas break, I'll have about 3 weeks. I already studied 2 months during the summer, and while I have not forgotten substantial information, I am clearly a little bit rusty. Should I take it NOW, or take it after I apply in June? Is there a disadvantage in taking in in July? I plan on applying to the AADSAS on June 1st, and study from June 2nd to July 2nd and take it like July 10th. Is that too late? How late is late for the DAT after the application has been sent? Or should I just get out of the way with the 3 wks I have to study during x-mas?

 

[wantVCUdental]

Since you didn't apply this cycle, i would just take it next summer, that gives you more time and less worry about classes. Just make sure you submit your AADSAS early in June, and schedule the DAT in july or august

Your scores aren't that bad, while i would re-take, I think your scores are more than enough to score an interview

 

[2PacClone23]

Seriously? Even with my subpar 19AA and 18TS? What makes you say that? My GPA isn't stellar. I've just heard that they view the RC as the most important score, and since I raped it, maybe I'll get some interviews. My first choice schools are USC and Western University.

Um, but yeah, do you really think I should take it in July? How would the adcoms review my app without a DAT score?? This is probably the most confusing aspect of applying. So let's say I apply June 1st, and take the DAT July 10th, what then? Do they NOT review it between those two dates or do they wait for the scores to arrive (which might I add, will take 3-4 weeks FROM the July 10th date to receive and review). Any help is appreciated.

 

[wantVCUdental]

Seriously? Even with my subpar 19AA and 18TS? What makes you say that? My GPA isn't stellar. I've just heard that they view the RC as the most important score, and since I raped it, maybe I'll get some interviews. My first choice schools are USC and Western University.

Um, but yeah, do you really think I should take it in July? How would the adcoms review my app without a DAT score?? This is probably the most confusing aspect of applying. So let's say I apply June 1st, and take the DAT July 10th, what then? Do they NOT review it between those two dates or do they wait for the scores to arrive (which might I add, will take 3-4 weeks FROM the July 10th date to receive and review). Any help is appreciated.

Yes, RC is the most important, I remember you asking questions about LORs, this makes me think you don't have the strongest LOR, that's why you need to kill the DAT. Again, your RC is awesome, but overall, like you said, your profile isn't too strong, so i think you should retake.
As for taking in July that's your best option, because it's after school finishes, and you have ample time to prep. Many people take DAT in august and still get pre-dec interview, so July should be okay.

 

[2PacClone23]

yay this means I get to have an xmas!

 

[americanpierg]

I'd say retake. Your scores are sure to go up for all the science section, although your RC score will almost certainly go down, although you should be able to keep it above a 20. You're sacrificing your RC scores too boost your science scores above 20. With a 3.3, you would want 20+ to stand a good chance.

 

[2PacClone23]

But RC was so easy. All fact based. All search and destroy. I <3 my RC score. But it's not guaranteed either that I'm gonna get 20's across the board in the sciences, although I'd sacrifice my RC score for that. A 20AA would do it for me. When is retake best? The other dude said the summer, what about the rest?

 

[prsndwg]

take it right before school starts for you at the end of jan or begining of Feb.. saying this since the info is fresh in your mind.. start studying when the school is out for winter break

good luck

 

[doc3232]

IMO, start studying now. You won't be able to give it 100% because of other stuff you have to do but its important to start now. Then study very hard for 3 weeks and take it.

 

[2PacClone23]

Let's do a poll then

Who says summer? Who says Winter?


Summer - 0

Winter - 0

 

[dentalWorks]

No body in their right mind know what kind of chances you REALLY have of getting in. Maybe your a minority student, maybe you have ALOT OF instate schools that REALLY favor instate students even with lower averages, maybe you have some crazy ECs that will put to shame someone who got a 25AA.

Now, I can tell you with certainty that STATISTICALLY speaking, students with higher numbers tend to get more interviews. Now having a 3.3 GPA and a 19AA/18TS indicates that "statistically" your below the averages for many schools, which might hinder your chances for interviews.

I would retake. You can apply to schools on June 1st, but it takes about 4 weeks for your application to be verified and sent out. Meaning you have ALLLLL the way till begining of July to take the test. Take the DAT first week of July. I don't know what kind of semester your going to have this january, but I am a 100% sure anyone can spare 1 to 2 hrs a day studying for the DAT (during their semester). You have 7 months to study for this thing, I am sure you can knock down a 20+. Study smart, apply the sciences to as many problems you can get your hands on, and hope for the best

 

[The Anhedonia]

I've just heard that they view the RC as the most important score, and since I raped it, maybe I'll get some interviews.

colorful choice of words 🙂

 

[2PacClone23]

Summer - 1
Winter - 0


Any others? A UoP dean came and spoke to our school and said that in their DAT-related mind, a 21 is like an A, a 20 like a B, and a 19 like a C. That really hurt...specially considering how hard I studied, but then again, they're UoP and they heavily weigh the DAT.

I really wanna knock out the DAT. I personally think it wasn't that hard. The Ochem section took me by surprise, to be honest. It was always my best part in in the practice videos. Maybe I can rewatch Chad's videos. But a 17 in ochem? I was shocked. There was a Wittig reaction that really threw me off, even though the Wittig mechanism is so easy. The 17 in bio is eh, it was REALLY random and no matter how hard I studied, a 17 was inevitable. They asked questions that were really out there. I like my gchem score, my rc score, my PAt is bleh with a 19, but my QR of 17 killed my AA! I had gotten like a 19 in QR, my AA would have been like 20-21. im so pissed! even then, had i gotten like 18's in QR and ochem, my AA would have been a 20AA cuz of my awesome gchem and rc score(22 and 24 respectively). sigh, but ur dealth the test u get. oh well.


but yeah, winter or summer?

 

[PaulieGualtieri]

Summer FTW

I don't think you would have enough time to study over a Christmas break, plus you need some time to relax from your classes. Definitely get 20's on the sciences and apply early. Don't stress the math so much.

I had 18/19/20 when I first applied and had no response from any school, but when I retook it and got a 21/22/23, three schools have contacted me for interviews even though they received them late October. Just had one yesterday in fact.

H3 or CoD:MW2 much?

 

[yuppers]

I don't think you would have enough time to study over a Christmas break, plus you need some time to relax from your classes.

I studied over Christmas break and did just fine. But you are right on the account that I got little time to reboot for the next semester.
4 weeks is plenty if you can sit down and study for 8-12 hrs a day. If you can't do that then early summer would be your best bet.

 

[PaulieGualtieri]

Yeah, 8-12 hours a day would be ample time to study for your DAT over a period of 4 weeks... but at least for me, Christmas time is a big deal, lots of events to go to and family gatherings. Who would want to ruin such a great time of year when he's not even applying this cycle? Don't be a Scrooge, relax for the winter break. Review some bio and o-chem, that stuff tends to stick better than the gen-chem and math problems which you can practice during the summer months.

 

[2PacClone23]

Sigh. Such a hard decision.

If I apply to AADSAS on June 1st (which is the first possible day), and I take the DAT on July 12th, for example, would I still be considered as an applicant that applied on June 1st or July 12th? My file would be ready (I've already taken the DAT's) with LOR's and transcripts going in during the May month, with the only thing holding me back being the DAT scores that would be mailed out July 12th. How does this work? Am I still a June 1st applicant?