Should I retake?

[intoblondesnow]

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GPA: 3.93
sGPA: ~3.95 (unsure of exact here, but it is higher than my cumulative)
DAT: AA20 | TS19 | PAT27 | RC23 | BIO18 | OC21 | GC20 | QR17

I will have about 100 shadowing hours by the time of submitting my application and about only 50 volunteering (non-dental related) hours. I am still in the process of narrowing my school list and plan to apply during the first week of June when the cycle officially opens. I am definitely applying to the University of Michigan, as well as the University of Detroit Mercy. My extracurriculars are nothing special and I feel like I am constantly seeing applicants on SDN with a laundry list of exceptional things they have done. So a stellar DAT score, which I believe I am capable of achieving might be in my interest. I would like to know, do any of you think I should or should not re-take? Considering the cost of the test, DAT Bootcamp, and the time commitment, do I stand good chance at these schools without the re-take? All opinions are welcome and greatly appreciated!

 

[I-hate-alginate]

No reason at all for you to retake. Unless you have extra time and money to spend.

 

[Veni vidi vicii]

GPA: 3.93
sGPA: ~3.95 (unsure of exact here, but it is higher than my cumulative)
DAT: AA20 | TS19 | PAT27 | RC23 | BIO18 | OC21 | GC20 | QR17

I will have about 100 shadowing hours by the time of submitting my application and about only 50 volunteering (non-dental related) hours. I am still in the process of narrowing my school list and plan to apply during the first week of June when the cycle officially opens. I am definitely applying to the University of Michigan, as well as the University of Detroit Mercy. My extracurriculars are nothing special and I feel like I am constantly seeing applicants on SDN with a laundry list of exceptional things they have done. So a stellar DAT score, which I believe I am capable of achieving might be in my interest. I would like to know, do any of you think I should or should not re-take? Considering the cost of the test, DAT Bootcamp, and the time commitment, do I stand good chance at these schools without the re-take? All opinions are welcome and greatly appreciated!

I was just curious but what did you use to study for the sciences and how effectively did you use those materials.

Also, great job on PAT any tips?

 

[Daniel Schruth]

Whether or not you should retake the DAT depends on which schools you are planning to apply to. If your goal is just to get into dental school somewhere, I would say there is no need to retake. However, if you have some specific schools in mind, I would strongly recommend you contact the admissions committee directly to ask their opinion of whether or not you should retake, given your high GPA. Good luck during the application cycle!

 

[intoblondesnow]

I was just curious but what did you use to study for the sciences and how effectively did you use those materials.

Also, great job on PAT any tips?

I used boot camp, cliff's AP Bio, and Destroyer...
I did not take advantage of destroyer or the boot camp practice tests enough and feel like that is why my scores didn't reflect my ability on the test. I was going to reschedule it and push it 2 to 3 weeks back but foolishly waited until the weekend before My test was on a Monday, so I was not able to do so.

Basically I did Ari's study schedule, but only got about 2/3 of the way through, missed the most important part (grinding through destroyer and BC tests and beating problems into my head), so I did as many destroyer problems as possible that last weekend. I do not recommend it lol. If you use Ari's schedule, stick to it, I'm sure it would have made a world of difference for my scores.

As far as the PAT, I enjoyed practicing it. I did all of Joel's PAT academy videos, practiced the generators everyday and just focused more on the sections I couldn't get down (pattern folding mostly). By the time I took the real DAT, the PAT felt like a boot camp test and I actually thought I did not miss a single question. You've just gotta do generator after generator everyday until it's second nature. I tried to do 15 of each section each day before and after my day of studying. And get enough sleep the night before because my ability to do PAT problems during my studying was significantly decreased when I was tired.

Definitely do the tallying for cube counting, I was able to set it up during the end of my survey of sciences section. Everything else is process of elimination using the techniques Joel teaches. Pattern folding was the only section I was never confident in. Timing is everything in the PAT.

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[intoblondesnow]

Whether or not you should retake the DAT depends on which schools you are planning to apply to. If your goal is just to get into dental school somewhere, I would say there is no need to retake. However, if you have some specific schools in mind, I would strongly recommend you contact the admissions committee directly to ask their opinion of whether or not you should retake, given your high GPA. Good luck during the application cycle!

Thank you for the advice, it is greatly appreciated. I will contact the admissions committees and figure it out.

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[Veni vidi vicii]

I used boot camp, cliff's AP Bio, and Destroyer...
I did not take advantage of destroyer or the boot camp practice tests enough and feel like that is why my scores didn't reflect my ability on the test. I was going to reschedule it and push it 2 to 3 weeks back but foolishly waited until the weekend before My test was on a Monday, so I was not able to do so.

Basically I did Ari's study schedule, but only got about 2/3 of the way through, missed the most important part (grinding through destroyer and BC tests and beating problems into my head), so I did as many destroyer problems as possible that last weekend. I do not recommend it lol. If you use Ari's schedule, stick to it, I'm sure it would have made a world of difference for my scores.

As far as the PAT, I enjoyed practicing it. I did all of Joel's PAT academy videos, practiced the generators everyday and just focused more on the sections I couldn't get down (pattern folding mostly). By the time I took the real DAT, the PAT felt like a boot camp test and I actually thought I did not miss a single question. You've just gotta do generator after generator everyday until it's second nature. I tried to do 15 of each section each day before and after my day of studying. And get enough sleep the night before because my ability to do PAT problems during my studying was significantly decreased when I was tired.

Definitely do the tallying for cube counting, I was able to set it up during the end of my survey of sciences section. Everything else is process of elimination using the techniques Joel teaches. Pattern folding was the only section I was never confident in. Timing is everything in the PAT.

Sent from my SM-G950U using SDN mobile

Thanks. My friend also was going to postpone his exam but waited until the weekend where he couldn't so I know you're pain. I'll make sure to use your PAT tips appreciate it.

 

[intoblondesnow]

Thanks. My friend also was going to postpone his exam but waited until the weekend where he couldn't so I know you're pain. I'll make sure to use your PAT tips appreciate it.

Well, I'm glad to know I'm not the only one that made that foolish of a mistake.

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