Should I Retake? DAT Done 11/5

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heymikeyyyyy

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I've been reading through the forum for quite some time and I finally took my DAT today...Overall, I scored about the same as what I was getting on the TopScore Practice Tests. I think I'm on the borderline of wheter to retake or not.

I'm scared that if I retake, I'll score lower since I'll be starting a full-time job in a couple of weeks. What do you guys think? I plan on applying for the May 09 cycle...

Graduated from UCI (University of California, Irvine)
Total GPA: 3.52
Sci GPA 3.47

DAT Score Breakdown:

PAT- 20
QR- 16
RC- 22
Bio- 19
GC- 18
OC- 19
TS- 19
AA- 19
 
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Outstanding RC!

Your TS and AA is above average and so is your GPA. I think you should be okay, but if you have the time then go for it. Are you applying this cycle?
 
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I wanted to apply this cycle...but since I took my test so late and got mediocre scores I'm looking to apply in may 09. Should I even try submitting my app for this current cycle?
 
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heymikeyyyyy said:
I wanted to apply this cycle...but since I took my test so late and got mediocre scores I'm looking to apply in may 09. Should I even try submitting my app for this current cycle?
Click to expand...

no. gear up for next cycle
 
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i would not retake. you could always try for this cycle. its a little late, have you started or submitted you aadsas, transcripts, LOR's?
 
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needa20 said:
i would not retake. you could always try for this cycle. its a little late, have you started or submitted you aadsas, transcripts, LOR's?
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Well I have my LOR's, but nothing else....I was planning to apply May 09 unless I scored really high on my DAT today but unfortunately that didn't happen.

Any other opinions on if I should retake before the cycle opens up next May?
 
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I think you should be good, apply in May and you should be swell
 
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Retake if you want to go to a good dental school. (ex> our state schools)

But, you don't need to retake if you just want to get in somewhere.
 
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I personally think youre in good shape but would definitely hold off until next cycle but apply early. If you have the time maybe consider a retake but I dont think it necessary.
 
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You dont need to retake for next cycle, although who knows what the grade inflation will be next year. I agreewith bruin though, if yo want to get into more competitive schools like UCLA or UCSF I would retake provided that you are confident that you will definitely improve next time around.
 
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If you are confident you could get some better scores then definitely go for it, because you still have a lot of time till May.
 
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I graduated from UCI too, and ur GPA is very impressive. Any GPA above 3.5 from UCs is very competitive.I totally agree with other's comment. Your score may be good enough of for Loma Linda, Western, USC and UOP(maybe not), but not for UCLA and UCSF. To be honest San Fran is very expensive compared to Irvine, I do not know how you will effort(if you are not rich, or huge debt at the end). UCLA is ivy league and hard to get into even if you have 21+. Be smart when you apply. What is your situation? R u ok with going out of California? You still have time to think. Good luck.👍
 
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Wow, I must have missed it the first time.

I just graduated from UCI too! Your GPA is very close to mine. I got 21/19/19 on DAT (TS/AA/PAT). And I'm also considering a retake too maybe a little earlier than you (February).

GO ANTEATERS! GOOD LUCK!
 
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UCfan said:
I graduated from UCI too, and ur GPA is very impressive. Any GPA above 3.5 from UCs is very competitive.I totally agree with other's comment. Your score may be good enough of for Loma Linda, Western, USC and UOP(maybe not), but not for UCLA and UCSF. To be honest San Fran is very expensive compared to Irvine, I do not know how you will effort(if you are not rich, or huge debt at the end). UCLA is ivy league and hard to get into even if you have 21+. Be smart when you apply. What is your situation? R u ok with going out of California? You still have time to think. Good luck.👍
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Thanks for all your responses 👍....I would prefer to stay in CA but it's not really a big issue if I have to go out of state. I know UCSF and UCLA are a little out of the question, but what do you guys think about my chances of getting into USC, Loma Linda, Boston, or NYU?
 
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You have good chance to get into ll,usc,western and NYU too. Apply early (likely second week of may) as early as possible.I do not know anything about Boston dental school(s).
 
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i think your scores are good enough for loma and usc and other private schools. Here is the question what happens if you do worst due to your full time job?
 
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stick with your scores. nice gpa, and nice and solid scores. i think you should be fine for next cycle as well as you apply early. don't sweat it for now. good job.
 
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You're lucky enough to have 6 in-state school whatever the prices are , they prefer in-staters any way. GL.
 
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I would not retake. just apply really early (like you said May) next cycle and you should be fine
 
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How is the rest of your application? I would retake it and get a 20 or above... that would guarantee you a spot in DS. Zot zot!
 
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PERSIANBOLIC said:
i think your scores are good enough for loma and usc and other private schools. Here is the question what happens if you do worst due to your full time job?
Click to expand...

That's the thing...dental schools take your most recent DAT scores, so if I do worse the 2nd time around that would not look good at all. =/

chessxwizard said:
How is the rest of your application? I would retake it and get a 20 or above... that would guarantee you a spot in DS. Zot zot!
Click to expand...


Ummm well I have 80+ hours volunteering at a dental clinic along with a year and a half of shadowing my personal dentist. Currently, I'm job hunting for full-time work because my health insurance under my parents is going to run out and I just need to start moving on with my life....Ehhh I hate being in this spot because I don't know whether I want to retake or not. The problem is that if I start working full-time I'm not sure if I will have enough time to dedicate to my studies. Also, if for some reason I get a harder version of the DAT next time around and I score worse...I pretty much will have shot myself in the foot.

Honestly, I don't really mind what dental school I get into as long as I just get in.
 
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Is it even worth it to try applying to the few schools that have application deadlines in Feb and March?
 
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