Should I retake the DAT?

[Kekkaishi]

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Hello guys,

I don't know if I should retake the DAT for the upcoming application cycle. I applied kinda late last cycle (late august) and I got 3 interviews out of 10 school I applied to. Currently, I got 1 waitlist, 1 rejected, and 1 N/A; I don't think I have a good chance for this cycle due to the late application. My DAT score was:

PA 26
QR 18
RC 22
Biology 22
GC 19
OC 19
TS 20
AA 20

GPA 3.76

So..should I retake the DAT or just apply early this upcoming cycle? Thank you in advance and I appreciate any helps I get.

 

[AppalachianDentalBoy]

No. Your gpa is good and your dat fine. Your mistake was applying so late. Apply early next time.

 

[yasc]

Also you should apply to more schools with those stats (~15ish) . I applied in mid August to 2x as many schools and got a couple of acceptances.

 

[Kekkaishi]

So my DAT score is good enough to get into dental school? I'm just worrying that the schools may not like it that I don't show any improvements regarding my QR and chemistry scores. I'm very nervous for the next application cycle 🙁

 

[AppalachianDentalBoy]

Yes your DAT is fine. It is probably other areas of your application, the fact that you only applied to 10 schools with a 20 dat, and the fact that you applied late. Applying late with average scores lowers your odds a ton.

 

[Faefly]

If you have time and money and a specific school you want to attend or specific area you want to stay at, then retake to better your chances.
If you don't care where you gonna end up, do not retake.

 

[WOGTSTMK]

Something isn’t right on your application. I applied in October and took the DAT in November and got accepted into 2 schools with a lower gpa and dat. If you don’t get accepted don’t retake the dat. Rewrite your personal statement. It probably isn’t convincing the adcom to grant you an interview. Also practice your interview skills.

 

[DAT Destroyer]

Hello guys,

I don't know if I should retake the DAT for the upcoming application cycle. I applied kinda late last cycle (late august) and I got 3 interviews out of 10 school I applied to. Currently, I got 1 waitlist, 1 rejected, and 1 N/A; I don't think I have a good chance for this cycle due to the late application. My DAT score was:

PA 26
QR 18
RC 22
Biology 22
GC 19
OC 19
TS 20
AA 20

GPA 3.76

So..should I retake the DAT or just apply early this upcoming cycle? Thank you in advance and I appreciate any helps I get.

Your scores are good and should get you into dental school, but not ALL schools. Make sure you are applying where have the best chance of acceptance. If you have a certain school in mind you may want to call them directly and get their advice. Your GPA is great, so that is not a problem. You did get 3 interviews which is a very promising sign, if you get an interview it means you meet their requirements, perhaps you need to work on interview skills, these are all just suggestions. Take what you need.

Wishing you the best this upcoming cycle

Nancy

 

[TrevorwestDDS]

Here to echo the other comments. Your DAT score and GPA are definitely good enough for you to get accepted. I personally would not retake it (if I were in your shoes). Other aspects of your application you may look at are to make sure your personal statement is well put together, you have enough volunteer/shadowing hours, and extracurriculars are in order. I don't see any glaring weaknesses with your GPA/DAT. Good Luck!!

 

[WOGTSTMK]

Here to echo the other comments. Your DAT score and GPA are definitely good enough for you to get accepted. I personally would not retake it (if I were in your shoes). Other aspects of your application you may look at are to make sure your personal statement is well put together, you have enough volunteer/shadowing hours, and extracurriculars are in order. I don't see any glaring weaknesses with your GPA/DAT. Good Luck!!

The original poster should watch this guy’s YouTube channel (TrevorwestDDS). He has some solid content on his channel about application prep! Trevor, keep up the good work. Definitely a fan! Lol.