Should I retake the DAT?

[TonySouthSide]

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So a little information about myself first. I graduated last year and have taken this year as a gap year to work and get experience in the healthcare field. During my undergrad, I did decent in all my courses but I had a hard time when it came to Chemistry. I got a C- in Gen Chem which I retook to get a C+, a C in O Chem 1, and a C- in O Chem 2 which I retook to get a C+. My oGPA is 3.38, sGPA is 3.14, and BCP is 2.98. I took the DAT last year and got the following score:

AA: 19
TS: 18
OCHEM: 18
GCHEM: 16
BIO: 20
RC: 21
QR: 20
PA: 19

Outside of that, I have:
1 year of research experience in a psych lab
3 years of healthcare-related volunteer experience
1 year EMT-B work experience.
A couple mission's trips to Central America which didn't have a focus on healthcare
A 6 week healthcare-themed study abroad to Chile
Proficiency in Spanish (I double minored in Spanish and Biology)
~100 hours shadowing dentists
A 20 hour pre-dental class

I am currently studying to take the DAT again because of my low GCHEM score and to make up for my mediocre GPA, but the practice Kaplan tests that I am taking are not making me very optimistic about improving my score. I'm still planning on studying like crazy until my exam in late June, but I'd just like to hear from people to see if I have any chance at getting into dental school. Also if anybody has any advice to give me that'd be great!

 

[FeralisExtremum]

With a 2.98 BCP and a 19 DAT, I would say your chances are very low right now. I would absolutely retake the DAT and try to raise your GPA with a post-bac (or look into a master's).

 

[tyjacobs]

So a little information about myself first. I graduated last year and have taken this year as a gap year to work and get experience in the healthcare field. During my undergrad, I did decent in all my courses but I had a hard time when it came to Chemistry. I got a C- in Gen Chem which I retook to get a C+, a C in O Chem 1, and a C- in O Chem 2 which I retook to get a C+. My oGPA is 3.38, sGPA is 3.14, and BCP is 2.98. I took the DAT last year and got the following score:

AA: 19
TS: 18
OCHEM: 18
GCHEM: 16
BIO: 20
RC: 21
QR: 20
PA: 19

Outside of that, I have:
1 year of research experience in a psych lab
3 years of healthcare-related volunteer experience
1 year EMT-B work experience.
A couple mission's trips to Central America which didn't have a focus on healthcare
A 6 week healthcare-themed study abroad to Chile
Proficiency in Spanish (I double minored in Spanish and Biology)
~100 hours shadowing dentists
A 20 hour pre-dental class

I am currently studying to take the DAT again because of my low GCHEM score and to make up for my mediocre GPA, but the practice Kaplan tests that I am taking are not making me very optimistic about improving my score. I'm still planning on studying like crazy until my exam in late June, but I'd just like to hear from people to see if I have any chance at getting into dental school. Also if anybody has any advice to give me that'd be great!

What feralis said,

You will most likely need to take some science courses as well to raise your sciGPA