Should I retake DAT test

[AllRiceNoKrispy]

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Just finished my DAT

My score report is

PAT 20
QR 19
RC 24
BIO 20
GC 19
OC 18
AA 20

I plan on applying for the upcoming cycle. The only reason I am contemplating taking the test again is because I have a 3.2 cGPA and 3.1 sGPA which are on the lower end and I know I needed an above avg DAT test to make up for them.

I would like to hear your guys thoughts on this. Thanks for your input.

 

[Flemish]

If you have killer ECs, recs, and others then you may be okay, though I would still suggest retaking. Your AA is good but your TS is underwhelming considering your GPA. Best of luck

 

[AllRiceNoKrispy]

If you have killer ECs, recs, and others then you may be okay, though I would still suggest retaking. Your AA is good but your TS is underwhelming considering your GPA. Best of luck

Thank You! Yeah I didn't do as good on the sciences as I had hoped. Do you know what dental schools thoughts are on someone retaking the test?

 

[8_man]

Thank You! Yeah I didn't do as good on the sciences as I had hoped. Do you know what dental schools thoughts are on someone retaking the test?

Do better than your previous attempt.

 

[periopocket]

I think a masters would better suit your package...the dat is ok


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[Alpha Centauri]

If you have killer ECs, recs, and others then you may be okay, though I would still suggest retaking. Your AA is good but your TS is underwhelming considering your GPA. Best of luck

He/She will absolutely not be "okay" this cycle. We have people on the boards who have 22+ DAT and 3.4+ GPAs who have not been accepted across multiple cycles.

OP, your EC's will NOT make up for your grades. I don't mean to be harsh but they need to come up higher. A masters is necessary, and you will need to kill it. Maybe with a 3.8 masters GPA you can squeeze by with your DAT, but I also would recommend a retake. Good luck

 

[DC206R]

Try taking some upper division science classes (unofficial post-bacc) to raise your GPA a little. I would recommend retaking and hitting 21+ and nothing under 20.

 

[rk1229]

Honestly people have gotten in with worse. Dental school off the bat is a 50/50 shot (~50% are accepted). I personally think those score are fine, doing a masters won't tell the admissions committee anything special. Your gpa is average for most D-schools and your DAT is above the national average. I say, write a killer PS, get awesome LORs, and kill your interviews. (All considering your EC's are in line) and you should have as good a shot as most.


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[O Gaúcho]

With your gpa I would defiantly retake

 

[jg4318]

Definitely retake, as long as you don't do worse it won't hurt so you might as well try to improve your score and your chances of getting into dental school.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

Honestly people have gotten in with worse. Dental school off the bat is a 50/50 shot (~50% are accepted). I personally think those score are fine, doing a masters won't tell the admissions committee anything special. Your gpa is average for most D-schools and your DAT is above the national average. I say, write a killer PS, get awesome LORs, and kill your interviews. (All considering your EC's are in line) and you should have as good a shot as most.


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Are you serious? A 3.1 sGPA is the average for acceptances? You would get rejected w/o interview even from Puerto Rico dental with a GPA like that; Unless you know something I don't?

 

[rk1229]

Are you serious? A 3.1 sGPA is the average for acceptances? You would get rejected w/o interview even from Puerto Rico dental with a GPA like that; Unless you know something I don't?

No. That science gpa is low, you're right. But his overall gpa at 3.2 isn't that low. ASDOH's avg accepted is a 3.3, and besides schools like UoP or Ivy's that have an avg of like 3.5-3.7 he probably shouldn't apply to, I'd say he should at least apply and get feedback from schools if he doesn't get in. Why spend crazy amounts of money on extra programs like a masters when he hasn't ever applied to dental school and gotten feedback.


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[Flemish]

He/She will absolutely not be "okay" this cycle. We have people on the boards who have 22+ DAT and 3.4+ GPAs who have not been accepted across multiple cycles.

OP, your EC's will NOT make up for your grades. I don't mean to be harsh but they need to come up higher. A masters is necessary, and you will need to kill it. Maybe with a 3.8 masters GPA you can squeeze by with your DAT, but I also would recommend a retake. Good luck

My comment was an optimistic one. I've seen people get in with worse, despite the ominous feelings people get when they look on these forums and see 22+ DATs coming up empty. I agree that a Master's would suit the OP, but I wouldn't write off applying this year either.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

My comment was an optimistic one. I've seen people get in with worse, despite the ominous feelings people get when they look on these forums and see 22+ DATs coming up empty. I agree that a Master's would suit the OP, but I wouldn't write off applying this year either.

With a THREE POINT ONE? I understand the need to be optimistic here; I am all for optimism. However there is a fine line between cheering someone up about their perception of their stats, versus having someone waste hundreds to thousands of dollars applying when their stats are below the average matriculation stats of accepted students

No. That science gpa is low, you're right. But his overall gpa at 3.2 isn't that low. ASDOH's avg accepted is a 3.3, and besides schools like UoP or Ivy's that have an avg of like 3.5-3.7 he probably shouldn't apply to, I'd say he should at least apply and get feedback from schools if he doesn't get in. Why spend crazy amounts of money on extra programs like a masters when he hasn't ever applied to dental school and gotten feedback.


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You can compare the low end and the high end GPA all you want. The truth is that dental schools have become more competitive to get into over the past few cycles. The past years (outdated) guide using data from 2 years ago cited that a 3.46 GPA science is average and a 3.54 overall is average for accepted students. You can't just cite "easy" schools because they have seemingly low GPA requirements. Is the OP going to apply only to ASDOH? No? That's what I though too. Maybe he can throw in Howard because they have lower stats than other schools

 

[Flemish]

With a THREE POINT ONE? I understand the need to be optimistic here; I am all for optimism. However there is a fine line between cheering someone up about their perception of their stats, versus having someone waste hundreds to thousands of dollars applying when their stats are below the average matriculation stats of accepted students

Being below an average doesn't preclude someone from getting in. That is the nature of an average; some will be high, others low. The lower end is usually accompanied with disadvantaged status or incredible ECs, neither of which OP has provided details on.

And I wouldn't call it a waste. Establishing a rapport with schools is important, and some schools have majority reapplicants in every class. OP could apply, see what adcoms would like to see more of, and then improve from there. It's cheaper than a Master's.

Btw, this is a humble opinion of mine and I don't offer any advice without a grain of salt. I don't see how your vitriolic attitude is furthering this conversation.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

Being below an average doesn't preclude someone from getting in. That is the nature of an average; some will be high, others low. The lower end is usually accompanied with disadvantaged status or incredible ECs, neither of which OP has provided details on.

And I wouldn't call it a waste. Establishing a rapport with schools is important, and some schools have majority reapplicants in every class. OP could apply, see what adcoms would like to see more of, and then improve from there. It's cheaper than a Master's.

Btw, this is a humble opinion of mine and I don't offer any advice without a grain of salt. I don't see how your vitriolic attitude is furthering this conversation.

Lol, alright man

 

[O Gaúcho]

Being below an average doesn't preclude someone from getting in. That is the nature of an average; some will be high, others low. The lower end is usually accompanied with disadvantaged status or incredible ECs, neither of which OP has provided details on.

And I wouldn't call it a waste. Establishing a rapport with schools is important, and some schools have majority reapplicants in every class. OP could apply, see what adcoms would like to see more of, and then improve from there. It's cheaper than a Master's.

Btw, this is a humble opinion of mine and I don't offer any advice without a grain of salt. I don't see how your vitriolic attitude is furthering this conversation.

I think it's more of a dose of reality

 

[blcopp]

Are you serious? A 3.1 sGPA is the average for acceptances? You would get rejected w/o interview even from Puerto Rico dental with a GPA like that; Unless you know something I don't?

You're right when you say it's low. It's definitely not close to average. However I know someone with a 3.0 overall and a 3.2 science that landed 5 interviews, so it is possible but I think a post bac or masters would be a good idea.

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[zastrownaut]

Are you serious? A 3.1 sGPA is the average for acceptances? You would get rejected w/o interview even from Puerto Rico dental with a GPA like that; Unless you know something I don't?

🤣

 

[pgex2t]

Just based on listed stats, retake. I've retaken twice as well and got a 20AA my first attempt too, catch me outside if you want any tips (PM me).