Should I retake?

[dental8485]

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Hi,

I'm a reapplicant for this cycle. I took the DATs back in 2008 and I'm planning to retake it for the 3rd time. My DATs were 17AA/ 18TS/ 15PAT
I finished my masters in biology with a overall GPA of 3.30 (GPA 3.56 for 2 semesters of 24 credits). Do you know how long can a DAT exam last for? 2 years or 3 years? Should I submit my application early and retake the exam at a later date? What do you think my chances are?

 

[bennijai]

I'm going to blunt about this, you will need a retake because those scores aren't competitive at all. Your PAT doesn't even make most cutoffs.

You'll need to apply early and retake.

 

[DrReese]

I believe DAT scores are good for 3 years...I would retake the DAT if I were you as well. You could get in potentially with those scores and GPA, but the chances are pretty slim. If you are underrepressented in healthcare, you probably would be able to get into Howard or Meharry...but I think even Howard has a 17 cut-off and that 15 PAT would not make it. You may as well increase your chances and do better on the DAT.

 

[SuperTank]

Hi,

I'm a reapplicant for this cycle. I took the DATs back in 2008 and I'm planning to retake it for the 3rd time. My DATs were 17AA/ 18TS/ 15PAT
I finished my masters in biology with a overall GPA of 3.30 (GPA 3.56 for 2 semesters of 24 credits). Do you know how long can a DAT exam last for? 2 years or 3 years? Should I submit my application early and retake the exam at a later date? What do you think my chances are?

Most schools will accept the DAT for three years after you take it. Some are only two, and a couple will accept a test that is 5 years old.

However, you need to retake the test. The low academic average really hurts your chances, when included with the very low PAT and the mediocre GPA. Your GPA won't hurt you if you are able to get your DAT scores up. A lot of people will say to shoot for a 21+ on the DAT, but honestly, just do as well as you can. Study like you need a 25, and you will get satisfying scores.

Also, you might want to invest in some sort of DAT preparation material. There are a lot of posts on this site that talk about different programs that you can use.

 

[Blue Panther]

Yes a retake is a must for you.

 

[PaulieGualtieri]

^^^^^^ Agreed

 

[DDStoBE1988]

i have a question.
I took the DAT and I got:
PAT 20
Quantitiative 14
Biology 19
Chemistry 19
Organic 18
Reading 22
Total Science 19
Academic 18

is my quantitative score going to hold me back?
or with my 3.6 GPA will I still have a good chance at getting an interview?

 

[PaulieGualtieri]

i have a question.
I took the DAT and I got:
PAT 20
Quantitiative 14
Biology 19
Chemistry 19
Organic 18
Reading 22
Total Science 19
Academic 18

is my quantitative score going to hold me back?
or with my 3.6 GPA will I still have a good chance at getting an interview?

QR won't hold you back horribly. When did you/will you apply?

 

[DDStoBE1988]

I will be applying this fall. I am actually working on the application now, I only have to get my letters of recommendation in and my personal statement finished then i can send it in.

 

[PaulieGualtieri]

What schools are you applying to?

 

[DDStoBE1988]

Boston University
Marquette University
New York
University of California LA
University of Florida
University of Illinois
University of Southern California.

 

[peanutb123]

I'm no expert but; add More schools a lot more...

i would say 13 more 😉 & pick them wisely from Official guide book. Even though some schools say OOS friendly... they tend to always pick students from certain states soo look out for that.

 

[peanutb123]

Pick schools wisely... i see 3 schools in your list that has a low Average stats oss acceptance rate unless you are from that state. IE. UCLA; Florida; Ill...