Should I retake the DAT with an interview invite?

[rhuot11]

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My third time applying to Minnesota, Wait-listed last year. I got a low score in reading (16)....puke. AA19 TS20 PAT24. Last year they told me that my RC score was one of the bigger issues so I decided to retake the test this October and put it down on AADSAS.

They already sent me an invite to interview, which I have this week. I planned on picking up studying again after that. Should I even bother taking the test with the interview? Thoughts?

 

[LFA20]

My third time applying to Minnesota, Wait-listed last year. I got a low score in reading (16)....puke. AA19 TS20 PAT24. Last year they told me that my RC score was one of the bigger issues so I decided to retake the test this October and put it down on AADSAS.

They already sent me an invite to interview, which I have this week. I planned on picking up studying again after that. Should I even bother taking the test with the interview? Thoughts?

That's a tough call. I think it kinda sucks that one section in your DAT prevented you from receiving an acceptance. Are you sure other thing (such as GPA) was the bigger problem?

If Minnesota is the only school you would attend and you have paid for the test, then retake again. Honestly though, I think you stand a good chance this time since they gave you another interview.

 

[Papasmurf1234]

Every school weighs the interview differently. For instance, MWU gets a YES or a NO to the adcoms after the interview and from there they can decide whether they want to admit that person or not. Someone spoke of a case on this forum where he/she received praise for such a good interview but then ended up being rejected because the adcoms felt his/her GPA was too low or something.

 

[El Dentistador]

Every school weighs the interview differently. For instance, MWU gets a YES or a NO to the adcoms after the interview and from there they can decide whether they want to admit that person or not. Someone spoke of a case on this forum where he/she received praise for such a good interview but then ended up being rejected because the adcoms felt his/her GPA was too low or something.

That seems counterintuitive as well as rude, because the person spent the additional amount of money to visit. The only reason why I could think it was okay is if the person being invited for the interview was primarily competing for a good waitlist spot. They invited more people to interview than there are seats, which is necessary due to people choosing one school over the other, meaning some are competing for the spots left open by the students initially intended for a seat in the class.

As for rhuot11, if that was the case before, then having better DAT scores on your record might help, but you had better score higher or it will likely work against you. If you are up to it, then I think the money spent on successfully bumping up your scores and receiving an acceptance will save you more time and money, than having to go through this whole process again. That's if things operate the way others are saying on this thread.

 

[Jps17kl]

Last year, I got one interview with 22AA 16 RC. ultimately rejected.

I retook the DAT this July and got 23 AA 21 RC. and I am happy with my 7 interviews so far. If I were to go back in time, yes, I would have retaken my DAT sooner..

I know numbers are not everything but my 16RC really blew it for me..

 

[Edarriba]

how did you increase your reading acore so much? i havent taken the dat but just curious as to how to increase it

 

[Jps17kl]

how did you increase your reading acore so much? i havent taken the dat but just curious as to how to increase it

I really had to get used to reading on a computer screen. Also, I went into the test center with my strategy set. Which was to read the questions first, write down a word or two of notes, then to tackle the passage and answer the questions in the order I see. English is my second language so I really had to work to get that 21...

 

[RegisBioMedMS]

What other feedback did they give you about what to improve? Have you addressed those issues? If you have, that's definitely working in your favor. If you have not done much to improve your application (GPA, experiences, better LORs, etc...) since the last time around... then the DAT takes on much more weight and I would suggest you retake.

Do they do open or closed file interviews? If the interview is closed, your DAT score may not matter as much by the time you get to the interview.

Bottom line, this is a tough call. I wouldn't retake unless you feel you absolutely must as I would be worried about your score decreasing in other areas. Call their admissions office and ask. Maybe they can give you some good guidance.

Good luck 🙂

 

[Papasmurf1234]

how did you increase your reading acore so much? i havent taken the dat but just curious as to how to increase it

Just read a bunch of news articles using your computer.

 

[gn4]

Have you had any other interview invites? That RC is a bit scary. So they interviewed you last year and told you that the RC score was the reason they didn't accept you, and they interviewed you again this year, with the same RC score? I would retake just in case. Because technically, you haven't improved anything since the last time, correct?

If I had other interviews, maybe I would think twice about retaking it. If no other interviews, then I would retake it. Since the school told you what needed fixing the last time, I would try to work on it. Just make sure you do as well on the other sections as you did last time.

By the way, just curious....why did you wait until October to retake it? why not retake it earlier in the summer? just curious.

 

[Jps17kl]

Last year, I got one interview with 22AA 16 RC. ultimately rejected.

I retook the DAT this July and got 23 AA 21 RC. and I am happy with my 7 interviews so far. If I were to go back in time, yes, I would have retaken my DAT sooner..

I know numbers are not everything but my 16RC really blew it for me..

I forgot to add that the interviewer specifically told me RC is going to be a big problem. THEN they rejected me lol

 

[CleverThought]

My third time applying to Minnesota, Wait-listed last year. I got a low score in reading (16)....puke. AA19 TS20 PAT24. Last year they told me that my RC score was one of the bigger issues so I decided to retake the test this October and put it down on AADSAS.

They already sent me an invite to interview, which I have this week. I planned on picking up studying again after that. Should I even bother taking the test with the interview? Thoughts?

I would retake, because the invite might be contingent on the fact that you were/are planning on a retake. I know some aspects are flexible in having a low DAT, such as QR, but RC seems to be one of those things that dental schools really care about or don't really.

 

[rhuot11]

I did not retake it earlier because I got married and I needed time to study afterwards. She told me at the interview that it would help if i retake it. She also said I was obviously qualified and it may not be necessary depending on the applicant pool. ( not very clear) it was a closed file interview. And I was told the wait list last cycle was very short. Why wouldn't they just send an invite after the test, why before? Driving me nuts! They also told me I needed more volunteer hours in health car outside of dentistry which I did. That's the only other thing they told me. I also moved up in my career and got certified in phlebotomy

 

[Dent35]

hey, did you end up retaking it?

 

[rhuot11]

Nope. I talked it over with my wife and we decided that if I don't get the initial acceptance December 2nd I will try to get a spot with Prometric to take the exam before the January 1st deadline for spring acceptances. Money is super tight right now with what we have going on. I continue to study when I can, but if I took it now I fear some of my other scores would decrease. The practice tests I have taken show an increase in my reading to 20-21. PAT is the same 24-25, but O. chem and G. chem went down (17). Bio is pretty rusty (19).
When I first called the U of M to ask why I was wait-listed this past year they initially told me that I did not have a lot of hours volunteering in health care outside of dentistry. I have been more involved in that now. I also moved up in my career with an amazing letter of rec from my supervisor and attended the pre-dental course as a student and a mentor. Later, I attended a re-applicant session at the U to see if anything else was needed, that is when they pointed out my reading score. She then explained that my PAT score contributed greatly to my overall competitiveness.
It is kind of a cluster, but I think my plan is solid. If I don't get in initially I hope I am able to get my test scheduled. I know that can be a pain sometimes.

 

[Illfavor]

Nope. I talked it over with my wife and we decided that if I don't get the initial acceptance December 2nd I will try to get a spot with Prometric to take the exam before the January 1st deadline for spring acceptances. Money is super tight right now with what we have going on. I continue to study when I can, but if I took it now I fear some of my other scores would decrease. The practice tests I have taken show an increase in my reading to 20-21. PAT is the same 24-25, but O. chem and G. chem went down (17). Bio is pretty rusty (19).
When I first called the U of M to ask why I was wait-listed this past year they initially told me that I did not have a lot of hours volunteering in health care outside of dentistry. I have been more involved in that now. I also moved up in my career with an amazing letter of rec from my supervisor and attended the pre-dental course as a student and a mentor. Later, I attended a re-applicant session at the U to see if anything else was needed, that is when they pointed out my reading score. She then explained that my PAT score contributed greatly to my overall competitiveness.
It is kind of a cluster, but I think my plan is solid. If I don't get in initially I hope I am able to get my test scheduled. I know that can be a pain sometimes.

Sorry for your troubles. Those "reasons" sound pretty hollow to me.

 

[rhuot11]

I dont really see how thats hollow, but thanks for your input. I guess taking my families opinion into account is a pretty hollow thing to do right? Some of these guys I tell ya.

 

[Illfavor]

I dont really see how thats hollow, but thanks for your input. I guess taking my families opinion into account is a pretty hollow thing to do right? Some of these guys I tell ya.

I meant the reasons the school gave for why you weren't offered a spot, haha. I wouldn't be anywhere without consulting my family.

 

[rhuot11]

Oh dear! I apologize. I totally misunderstood you. A lot of times people can be quite negative on here. But, yes they did not really give me any specific reasons besides those. It's a bummer I tell ya.

Again, I apologize for misunderstanding what you had posted.

 

[Illfavor]

Oh dear! I apologize. I totally misunderstood you. A lot of times people can be quite negative on here. But, yes they did not really give me any specific reasons besides those. It's a bummer I tell ya.

Again, I apologize for misunderstanding what you had posted.

No worries. 🙂