Should I retake

[Kingfish23]

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Just took my DAT for the first time

21AA/20TS/22Bio/17GC/22OC/26RC/17QR

I'm currently in a masters program with a 4.0 through 22 credits.My Ugpa is a 3.15, but my sGPA is a 3.4 with a very strong upward trend in my last 60 credits including 4 semesters of a 4.0 in 3000/4000 level science electives that Dental schools recommend (biochem, immunology, upper division anatomy and physiology, molecular and cell biology, genetics, microbiology etc.).

Is my DAT score good enough?

School list:
Tufts
Nova
Temple
Detoit mercy
UF (state school)
Maryland
BU
VCU
NYU

 

[Faefly]

I don't know if you should retake or not, it's a good DAT, but would it be enough especially with that 17 GC.
Retaking might ensure you get in this cycle if you focus on your weakness: GC and QR or it might not.
but even if you didn't retake, I would add more schools if I were you.
I know people with hight gpa and DAT who applied to more than 12 schools, so try to add more schools if you can afford it.

 

[Kingfish23]

I don't know if you should retake or not, it's a good DAT, but would it be enough especially with that 17 GC.
Retaking might ensure you get in this cycle if you focus on your weakness: GC and QR or it might not.
but even if you didn't retake, I would add more schools if I were you.
I know people with hight gpa and DAT who applied to more than 12 schools, so try to add more schools if you can afford it.

What others schools would you recommend? I was looking into Indiana and Arizona as well

 

[I-hate-alginate]

Don't retake! Add WesternU for sure.

 

[Kingfish23]

Don't retake! Add WesternU for sure.

Are they out of state friendly ?

 

[Orka]

The 17GC and 17QR are gonna bite you hard. I think you should probably consider rewriting the DAT because your GPA is really on the low side. Also, if you don't mind what did you use to prepare for these sections?

 

[Kingfish23]

The 17GC and 17QR are gonna bite you hard. I think you should probably consider rewriting the DAT because your GPA is really on the low side. Also, if you don't mind what did you use to prepare for these sections?

Bootcamp and DAT destroyer.

 

[Kingfish23]

The 17GC and 17QR are gonna bite you hard. I think you should probably consider rewriting the DAT because your GPA is really on the low side. Also, if you don't mind what did you use to prepare for these sections?

Even with a 4.0 in a masters program and a 21AA I should retake??

 

[Faefly]

Even with a 4.0 in a masters program and a 21AA I should retake??

What do you feel?
Tell us what do you think, deep down in your gut, do you think you'll get accepted? If yes, then apply and best of luck.

I mean yeah retaking mean more money and more work plus it means applying a bit late
but a 23 in DAT is worth it even if you apply in August the first!
Still not that late by the way!
Applying to 12 schools and then not getting accepted is also a lot of money.
Do you think you can't improve your DAT?
Or do you just despise the fact of applying later in the cycle?
or are you just tired?

 

[Orka]

Bootcamp and DAT destroyer.

Don't rely on only on those 2 resources, it got you 17 the first time and that number doesn't magically go up.
But I didn't realise you have a 4.0 masters... so then you should probably give it a shot reapplying this cycle instead of rewriting the DAT.

 

[DAT Destroyer]

Just took my DAT for the first time

21AA/20TS/22Bio/17GC/22OC/26RC/17QR

I'm currently in a masters program with a 4.0 through 22 credits.My Ugpa is a 3.15, but my sGPA is a 3.4 with a very strong upward trend in my last 60 credits including 4 semesters of a 4.0 in 3000/4000 level science electives that Dental schools recommend (biochem, immunology, upper division anatomy and physiology, molecular and cell biology, genetics, microbiology etc.).

Is my DAT score good enough?

School list:
Tufts
Nova
Temple
Detoit mercy
UF (state school)
Maryland
BU
VCU
NYU

I would definitely call the schools on your list and discuss your situation. The 17 GC is a bit damaging and does not keep you at the head of the pack. I would consider a retake.

BTW, why the 17 in GC?



Just my 2 cents, wishing you the best.

Nancy

 

[Kingfish23]

I would definitely call the schools on your list and discuss your situation. The 17 GC is a bit damaging and does not keep you at the head of the pack. I would consider a retake.

BTW, why the 17 in GC?



Just my 2 cents, wishing you the best.

Nancy

To be completely honest, I had felt quite prepared for the GC section. I had watched every single one of Chads videos multiple times, gotten 22+ on all the Bootcamp tests, and completed at least 100 questions in destroyer. On my DAT, I had more calculations than I was prepared for, being that I had heard about the shift towards a conceptual-based test. Still, I was able to be successful in Organic Chemistry and Biology. Because I was able to achieve a 20 total science, I feel that my 17 in general chemistry shouldn't be too much of an issue. I will call the schools this coming week and do some research because I know hat some programs have minimum requirements. Thank you for your response!

 

[Kingfish23]

What do you feel?
Tell us what do you think, deep down in your gut, do you think you'll get accepted? If yes, then apply and best of luck.

I mean yeah retaking mean more money and more work plus it means applying a bit late
but a 23 in DAT is worth it even if you apply in August the first!
Still not that late by the way!
Applying to 12 schools and then not getting accepted is also a lot of money.
Do you think you can't improve your DAT?
Or do you just despise the fact of applying later in the cycle?
or are you just tired?

This was my first time taking the DAT, and this would be my first time applying. I feel that I look good on paper, and I have an advantage by taking a masters program and successfully obtaining a 4.0.

 

[DAT Destroyer]

To be completely honest, I had felt quite prepared for the GC section. I had watched every single one of Chads videos multiple times, gotten 22+ on all the Bootcamp tests, and completed at least 100 questions in destroyer. On my DAT, I had more calculations than I was prepared for, being that I had heard about the shift towards a conceptual-based test. Still, I was able to be successful in Organic Chemistry and Biology. Because I was able to achieve a 20 total science, I feel that my 17 in general chemistry shouldn't be too much of an issue. I will call the schools this coming week and do some research because I know hat some programs have minimum requirements. Thank you for your response!

Why did you only complete 100 questions in the DAT Destroyer?

 

[FeralisExtremum]

On my DAT, I had more calculations than I was prepared for, being that I had heard about the shift towards a conceptual-based test.

I've never heard of a shift towards a more conceptual-based test for GC. There are only different versions of the test, and some of those likely have more calculations than others. There's an important lesson here to always be prepared for anything that can show up and not to try to predict the style of it ahead of time (a lot of people make the same mistake in RC where they assume they can do well using 'search and destroy' technique when not all passages allow for it).

That said, I'm not sure a retake is necessary since your masters GPA and overall DAT are good, but as mentioned above make sure you call schools for specific feedback.

 

[Kingfish23]

I've never heard of a shift towards a more conceptual-based test for GC. There are only different versions of the test, and some of those likely have more calculations than others. There's an important lesson here to always be prepared for anything that can show up and not to try to predict the style of it ahead of time (a lot of people make the same mistake in RC where they assume they can do well using 'search and destroy' technique when not all passages allow for it).

That said, I'm not sure a retake is necessary since your masters GPA and overall DAT are good, but as mentioned above make sure you call schools for specific feedback.

Thank you for your response! I will definitely be calling schools tomorrow. I should be asking them if they have any minimum requirements for any section on the DAT, and telling them my specific situation, correct?

 

[Kingfish23]

Why did you only complete 100 questions in the DAT Destroyer?

I did not have the luxury of time to be able to finish the general chemistry portion of Destroyer, however I wish I had taken more time to go through it! I finished Organic Chemistry Destroyer, and it is reflected in my score. I took my DAT in the middle of the semester during my Masters program, and because I needed to achieve a 4.0 I was not able to put as much time as I had hoped for GC. That being said, I will do my research before applying!

 

[FeralisExtremum]

Thank you for your response! I will definitely be calling schools tomorrow. I should be asking them if they have any minimum requirements for any section on the DAT, and telling them my specific situation, correct?

Ask them if they have minimum requirements but also give your specific scores in those sections and ask if they suggest a retake based on the range of scores of their current students.

 

[Kingfish23]

Ask them if they have minimum requirements but also give your specific scores in those sections and ask if they suggest a retake based on the range of scores of their current students.

Thank you so much for your advice! I will be making a spreadsheet tonight! I've added several schools to my list as well, including Creighton, Arizona, Indiana and LECOM