Should I retake the DAT??

[CarebearJo]

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I applied to BU/UNC/IU/Louisville/NSU I have a 3.2 GPA AA14/TS15/RC15. I have 7 years of experience as a dental assistant. NSU denied my application and IU called me and asked me if I was going to retake the DAT. Does anyone think I have enough time to start studying now to take the DAT in late October to get acceptance for 2010, or is that not enough time to study and will be just a waste of money. BU/UNC still under review. I studied 3 months when I took the DAT the first time, I am just worried that I may not have enough time to retake the DAT, but maybe my experience will compensate for the low DAT scores?Any input?

 

[Albuterol]

You studied 3 months the first time and got those scores. Now you want to spend 1 month and study for an October test date. Not saying that it can't be done, but unless you realize what you were doing wrong you might be in line for similar scores or not that great of an improvement. You experience is nice, very solid-7 years is a long time, but it will not compensate for a low DAT score or sub-avg acceptance gpa. I think you should really take some time and study for the DAT with nothing else on your plate. How did you study the first time? What materials did you use? I would go over the to DAT Forum on SDN and check that out-they have some great tips/helpful people which I used when I took my DAT exam. I think if you got 19's or 20's on your DAT with your dental experience and a decent personal statement- you could probably get in somewhere. Good luck!

 

[Predent68]

Allow me to be very honest, I would say you will have to re-take your DAT even based on your 7 years of experience as a DA. Your GPA is not too high for a competitive candidate. The only thing you will catch the eyes of the adcom is really your DAT score... at least 20+ for all categories... I know BU wants minimum 3.3 and at 20 in all categories but even you achieve that they might not even send out an interview invite, which is where I am at. I would say re-take in October.

If you have already applied, just stick with the cycle and let the schools know you will re-take. It won't hurt since you have paid for the fees already. Good luck studying.

BTW, what is your sGPA?

 

[UCB05]

Agree with Albuterol. Unless you have already spent the past two months studying for your retake and you are confident that you will score at least 17+ across the board, I would not do it with only one month prep in October. In addition to one or two of the science sections, your QR must be very low given that your AA is less than your TS (and RC). You could end up with same scores or worse. Perhaps you should let this app cycle run its course and regroup. Focus and prep for your retake for as long as needed and reaccess your study methods, materials and progess with input from the DAT section on SDN.
Your insight and desire to be a dentist is unquestioned with your invaluable assisting experience, but the adcoms will have serious doubt that you have the ability to finish Dental school. Good Luck and welcome aboard!

 

[doc toothache]

I applied to BU/UNC/IU/Louisville/NSU I have a 3.2 GPA AA14/TS15/RC15. I have 7 years of experience as a dental assistant. NSU denied my application and IU called me and asked me if I was going to retake the DAT. Does anyone think I have enough time to start studying now to take the DAT in late October to get acceptance for 2010, or is that not enough time to study and will be just a waste of money. BU/UNC still under review. I studied 3 months when I took the DAT the first time, I am just worried that I may not have enough time to retake the DAT, but maybe my experience will compensate for the low DAT scores?Any input?

The call you got is a powerful hint. Without adequate preparation, your second attempt may be as lackluster as the first. Your experience is unlikely to help and it most certainly is not going to help you stay in even if by some miracle you were accepted.

 

[CarebearJo]

Thanks for everyones input, I have decided that I am going to let this appilcation cycle run its course and not retake the DAT. I want to be able to just focus on the DAT and give myself adequate study time.

 

[abdent]

What have you done to prepare yourself for the DAT? Perhaps you should consider KAPLAN and retake it at the end of the course.