Should I retake the DAT? Need advice..

[SweetToothDoc]

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My current situation:
Unfortunately I applied to dental schools REALLY late last mid-November and I have yet to receive an interview invitation. So far two rejections, and I'm waitlisted for interview at another school. I know that I'm at a major disadvantage because I applied very late, and my gpa is also low. (oGPA: 3.11/sGPA: 3.09/BCP: 3.09)

But here are my DAT scores:
AA: 21
TS: 22
BIO: 21
GC: 22
OC: 23
RC: 20
QR: 20
PAT: 25

Because my gpa is low, should I consider retaking the DAT to possibly get a higher score of 22+? I have 160 hours shadowing a general dentist 142 hours of community service, +1200 hours of extracurricular and 400+ hours of working experience as a tutor at junior high school. Attended a public "ivy" school.

 

[Mushibachan]

My current situation:
Unfortunately I applied to dental schools REALLY late last mid-November and I have yet to receive an interview invitation. So far two rejections, and I'm waitlisted for interview at another school. I know that I'm at a major disadvantage because I applied very late, and my gpa is also low. (oGPA: 3.11/sGPA: 3.09/BCP: 3.09)

But here are my DAT scores:
AA: 21
TS: 22
BIO: 21
GC: 22
OC: 23
RC: 20
QR: 20
PAT: 25

Because my gpa is low, should I consider retaking the DAT to possibly get a higher score of 22+? I have 160 hours shadowing a general dentist 142 hours of community service, +1200 hours of extracurricular and 400+ hours of working experience as a tutor at junior high school. Attended a public "ivy" school.

I don't think it's necessary to waste more money to try and improve your DAT scores which are already good. The only thing is your GPA and the fact that you applied late. I would just start thinking about applying EARLY next cycle

 

[FeralisExtremum]

Attended a public "ivy" school.

What does this mean?

 

[fogorvostan]

I would not retake the DAT. You will run the risk of lowering your score. Instead, I would look into a post-bacc or graduate school to bring up your GPA.

 

[cl9090]

Do post bacc or masters but remember DAT will expire 2-3 years.

 

[SweetToothDoc]

What does this mean?

I meant that I attended a top 10 public university
haha sorry should've just wrote that in the first place 😱

 

[SweetToothDoc]

Good DAT scores. The call for a retake is up to you. If you honestly feel like you haven't done your best, study harder and more thoroughly for a retake. If you're burnt out and done with it, then don't retake for the sake of a retake. Apply earlier next cycle and widely - it makes a difference. See if you can bring up your GPA with post-bacc classes, and make sure your personal statement and LORs are solid.




I, for one, think it's cute that ivy is in quotes to perhaps hint at the difficulty of your undergrad institution. I graduated from UC Berkeley, and they worked us hard, but there really is no such thing as a public ivy. If anything, those kids enjoyed grade inflation 😉
School name has little, if any, bearings on your application.

I see! I also graduated from a UC (UC Davis)

 

[acesofseven]

Not to come off as rude, but since when was UC Davis a top 10 public school or a public "ivy"?

 

[SweetToothDoc]

Not to come off as rude, but since when was UC Davis a top 10 public school or a public "ivy"?

Mmm since a couple of years ago? I'm not completely sure but I remember reading an article about it when I was an undergrad..

 

[poutinepower]

Not to come off as rude, but since when was UC Davis a top 10 public school or a public "ivy"?

Mmm since a couple of years ago? I'm not completely sure but I remember reading an article about it when I was an undergrad..

UC Davis currently ranked 11th in top public school ranking by US news and generally ranked around that range the past several years. Its a great school but yeah wouldnt consider it a public ivy, so going to uc davis wont make you stand out from other applicants.

Post-bacc seems to be the best option. Unless you are confident you will score better second time around you should not retake DAT. GPA is your weak point, focus on that.

 

[SweetToothDoc]

Thanks for all your input!

 

[darklordzzz]

LOL UC Davis is not a public ivy. it is just a respectable regular afforable public university. anyways I think their class's average graduating GPA is near 2.9-3.0 so your GPA is just average. nothing spectacular. and saying the fact that you went to UC davis and have that GPA is just unreasonable.

I got in UC Davis and UC Irvine after high school because I was just a regular student. all the better quality students go to UCLA and UCB, the true public ivies.

 

[sweetpeeas]

If you have the money and time, I would enroll in a post bac program now (or do your own informal one) so you can show schools you're committed to improving your GPA, AND reapply early this upcoming cycle!

Your DAT is good, I wouldn't risk getting lower, but up to you!