Should I retake the DATs?

[QuackDentist]

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Hey guys. I applied last year on June 4th (which is pretty early) but I did not receive any interviews. My GPA was really bad, but since then I have had an upward trend.

I raised my sGPA by .18 pts and my BCP by .26 pts. They will probably increase after I receive my last semester grades.

Anyway, my DAT scores are as follows:
Bio: 22, Chem: 21, OChem: 19, QR: 19, Reading: 21, PAT: 17, AA: 20, TS: 21

Should I retake my DATs?

I am scared of doing worse the second time but I don't know if my DATs are good enough especially with this new "NYU and Temple 18 requirement."

Sound advice s most welcome.

--Quacky

 

[1992Corolla]

I would not unless you know you can do better. Raise that GPA and get some good shadowing hours and then network with some schools you really like and bug the crap out of them. Tour them, etc.

 

[rals]

DATs are good. I would consider taking a master's proram if your gpa is below 3.2 though.

has anything else changed in your application?

good luck.

 

[QuackDentist]

DATs are good. I would consider taking a master's proram if your gpa is below 3.2 though.

has anything else changed in your application?

good luck.

Well, okay, I will just lay it all out.

These are my changes--they do not include these semester's grades. I took 5 classes and have 3 As so far and don't know about the other 2 classes. The lowest they will be is a B. All of them are science classes but not necessarily BCP.

BCP: 2.82 --> 3.08
sGPA: 2.96 --> 3.14
cGPA: 3.42 --> 3.48
assisting hours: 52 --> 126
became a blood services volunteer for the red cross, joined habitat for humanity, became a newsletter editor for a club, started tutoring kids, taught second graders about the eyes and ears through an anatomy enrichment program.

Those are my additions since last year. Hope that helps. And just remember that the GPAs will probably rise after all my grades are out.

 

[Nasem]

how many schools did you apply to if you don't mind me asking...

Your DAT is pretty nice, but I suggest you apply for 15 schools this time around, I think you have a good shot

 

[rals]

I think you should be ok with what you've got. I would apply to maybe 8-10 schools after doing my homework on what stats are at different schools. your state school or nyu might be your best bets. good luck!

 

[QuackDentist]

how many schools did you apply to if you don't mind me asking...

Your DAT is pretty nice, but I suggest you apply for 15 schools this time around, I think you have a good shot

I applied to 15 schools last year, but I chose them badly. It also sucks that I come from California so my state schools are UCSF and UCLA both of which are incredibly hard to get into.

This year, I am planning on applying to 21 schools. 20 schools on AADSAS and 21st being Tennessee which has its own application.

Hopefully, I will get in this year.

Seriously, not getting a single interview last year was very very demoralizing.

 

[QuackDentist]

Bump! Because I really want advice.

 

[Chrono1984]

Nope, there is too much luck involved to expect maintaining or improving in every section. Somebody has statistics to back this up, but I forgot who - try searching the DAT forum though.

I don't see anything about NYU having an 18 cutoff and I am looking at their admissions webpage. Most schools have lower cutoffs, but state that you want to get 18s to be competitive. Having one 17 with all those 20+ scores is still plenty competitive.

It seems like your GPA moved up a lot and you added plenty of ECs. If you are still concerned, consider calling the schools to ask about what you can do to be more competitive.

Apply early and apply broadly. Good luck.

 

[SirShagaLot]

what about how old your DAT scores are? Do schools prefer "fresher" scores? Quack, i have the exact same aa/ts/pat scores as you. Do you guys think that schools prefer a newer DAT score (like this august) as opposed to a 2.5 yr old score....i took the DAT in jan. 05 and i'm considering taking it again this summer. Im applying to 8-10 schools and all but one of them will except my current score. Put another way, all but one of the schools go by the 3 yr old DAT score rule....however, BU now requires that your DAT scores be no older than 2 yrs. So thats my situation....I'd like to reapply to BU b/c im currently waitlisted there but at the same time I cant seem to justify all the time and money required to study and retake the DAT just for one school...Do you guys think all the other schools im applying to would prefer a fresher DAT score?? I'm really in a pickle about this one..

Your input is greatly appreciated

 

[SirShagaLot]

can anyone help?

thanks

 

[prez_al]

Shag... I don't think schools care about scores as long as they're not beyond their expiry date. And I don't think either you and the OP should retake. Its hard to do better than what you guys scored on the DAT.

 

[SirShagaLot]

Shag... I don't think schools care about scores as long as they're not beyond their expiry date. And I don't think either you and the OP should retake. Its hard to do better than what you guys scored on the DAT.

thanks for your input prez, but do feel like i need to improve my pat, 17 is pretty low these days, dont u think? It just sucks that I cant even reapply to BU unless i retake the DAT.

 

[Mstoothlady2012]

thanks for your input prez, but do feel like i need to improve my pat, 17 is pretty low these days, dont u think? It just sucks that I cant even reapply to BU unless i retake the DAT.

I dont think you should retake DAT again just because of PAT score & BU....unless BU is your dream school & you really want to go there no matter what. Then go ahead & take the DAT but you better score equal or higher than the last time otherwise it wouldnt be a wise thing to do.

 

[prez_al]

thanks for your input prez, but do feel like i need to improve my pat, 17 is pretty low these days, dont u think? It just sucks that I cant even reapply to BU unless i retake the DAT.

I have a 17 in PAT and it didn't hold me back.

 

[reapply2007]

If you really think you'll feel better to retest then I think you should do it. However, I agree with the above advice-a certain part of the score is luck as you never know which set of questions you will have on your DAT. And- your scores are solid. The validity of the PAT is somewhat contested as a subject test. However, if you don't retest and still don't get in this year you could really be kicking yourself.

If you do decide to retest I suggest you send your current scores right away, submit AADSAS early, don't indicate on AADSAS you intend to retest, and then don't send the new scores on the DAT application. If they go up, request they be sent after the test. Doing it this way will cost you a few bucks extra to send the scores but won't actually delay your application as the schools will go with the earlier results. The ADA says they need to verify scores and wait about three weeks to send them out after the test. You'll need to wait this time out even if you don't send your earlier scores. Plus, you'll know right after the test how well you did.

Shags- you could always call BU and ask if the current DAT score is recent enough.