Should I retake?

[preDentPDX]

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Hi, I just finished the DAT today and it was my second time taking it. My scores were
PAT: 23
BIO: 19
GC: 20
OC: 19
RC: 20
QR: 18
AA: 19
TS: 19

I'm wondering if I should retake the DAT? My current stats are 3.1 cum GPA and 3.0 science. I know my GPA is really low, but do I even have a shot at getting an interview at schools with these scores and my current stats?

I'm currently taking post-bacc science classes with a full course load to work to raise my GPA. I have over 500+ hours of dental experience and over 300+ hours of volunteer service.

 

[ryansgs]

A 19 is a good score but with your low gpa you're gonna need something to make your application look stronger.

My overall gpa is about the same as yours and my science gpa is below 2.9. I worked myself hard to get a DAT score that will make me stick out in a good way. I think you should retake and do your best to get a high score like I did.

 

[Shazzam]

Are you sure you can improve if you take it for a 3rd time? If you're positive you can increase it, give it another whirl. It's really just the low GPA holding you back. I would probably apply anyways and see what happens, I wouldn't be surprised if you got accepted on the back of your ECs.

 

[preDentPDX]

My first scores were
PAT: 17
BIO: 18
GC: 22
OC: 19
RC: 16
QR: 15
AA: 18
TS: 19

So I think I could do better since I improved my previous lower scores by a lot.. but what if I were to retake and my scores are worse. Would schools see this and would it affect my chances when applying to schools?

I just feel like if I were to get an interview with a school I'd have a good shot. I've been working towards a career in dentistry since freshman year of high school. I just wasn't mature enough entering college and ended up having terrible study habits, which put me in a hole for my GPA.

 

[nirjar2212]

Hi, I just finished the DAT today and it was my second time taking it. My scores were
PAT: 23
BIO: 19
GC: 20
OC: 19
RC: 20
QR: 18
AA: 19
TS: 19

I'm wondering if I should retake the DAT? My current stats are 3.1 cum GPA and 3.0 science. I know my GPA is really low, but do I even have a shot at getting an interview at schools with these scores and my current stats?

I'm currently taking post-bacc science classes with a full course load to work to raise my GPA. I have over 500+ hours of dental experience and over 300+ hours of volunteer service.

Dat scores are good enough. No need to retake. Remember, scores could go down. Just work hard to get your gpa up. Apply early and smartly. You should be getting interviews.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

 

[Davermz450]

My first scores were
PAT: 17
BIO: 18
GC: 22
OC: 19
RC: 16
QR: 15
AA: 18
TS: 18

So I think I could do better since I improved my previous lower scores by a lot.. but what if I were to retake and my scores are worse. Would schools see this and would it affect my chances when applying to schools?

I just feel like if I were to get an interview with a school I'd have a good shot. I've been working towards a career in dentistry since freshman year of high school. I just wasn't mature enough entering college and ended up having terrible study habits, which put me in a hole for my GPA.

Your Ts is not an 18.... I'm confused. But any who your new ones are great!! Good luck

 

[spoog74]

Hi, I just finished the DAT today and it was my second time taking it. My scores were
PAT: 23
BIO: 19
GC: 20
OC: 19
RC: 20
QR: 18
AA: 19
TS: 19

I'm wondering if I should retake the DAT? My current stats are 3.1 cum GPA and 3.0 science. I know my GPA is really low, but do I even have a shot at getting an interview at schools with these scores and my current stats?

I'm currently taking post-bacc science classes with a full course load to work to raise my GPA. I have over 500+ hours of dental experience and over 300+ hours of volunteer service.

Retake. Dont waste time procrastinating. You have about 5-6 months before the next cycle begins so use your time wisely. Good luck

 

[TOMS90]

I would NOT retake the DAT for the 3rd time. That's just idiotic.

 

[preDentPDX]

Thanks for the response guys. I'm still torn though with my decision because of the mixed responses.

Do schools see how many times you have taken the DAT and take this into account when reviewing your application? And if I were to do worse the 3rd time would they see this as well.

 

[TOMS90]

Thanks for the response guys. I'm still torn though with my decision because of the mixed responses.

Do schools see how many times you have taken the DAT and take this into account when reviewing your application? And if I were to do worse the 3rd time would they see this as well.

Of course they will take into account how many times you take them. Some schools have different policies as to which scores they consider. If you are NOT positive you can get a 23+AA then don't do it. I don't see a big difference between a 19 vs a 20-21.

 

[preDentPDX]

Okay thanks. I don't see much of a difference between a 19 and a 20/21 either. It's just I see so many people saying that if you want even a chance to get into dental school with a low GPA, you need at least a 21/22 AA on the DAT.

 

[TOMS90]

Okay thanks. I don't see much of a difference between a 19 and a 20/21 either. It's just I see so many people saying that if you want even a chance to get into dental school with a low GPA, you need at least a 21/22 AA on the DAT.

FACT of life: people on SDN make top 1-2% of test takers. You don't need to be like them to get into dental school. Plenty of people get in with stats below theirs.

Also please be advised that the average DAT scores for matriculating dental students is 19 for most schools.

 

[Davermz450]

FACT of life: people on SDN make top 1-2% of test takers. You don't need to be like them to get into dental school. Plenty of people get in with stats below theirs.

Also please be advised that the average DAT scores for matriculating dental students is 19 for most schools.

Toms in right! Dude getting anything over a 19 is HARD. Look at the percentiles! You are fine. Go look at the numbers, doc toothache has a lot of threads about stats. This site does more bad than good sometimes

 

[EpicDentist]

Dont retake. Make sure your personal statement is perfect and apply early.

 

[aznboi89x]

i got 12 interviews with:

20 AA
20 TS
21 PAT
16 RC
18 BIO
18 QR
25 OC
22 GC

with a 16 in RC i got 2 acceptances. you can achieve it!

Big plus is that you improved across the board!

 

[steppingstone]

Sorry to hijack your thread OP, but while reading over these responses I just was curious to know if there is a huge difference between a 18AA and a 19AA with about the same GPA as OP?

 

[dentalWorks]

Hi, I just finished the DAT today and it was my second time taking it. My scores were
PAT: 23
BIO: 19
GC: 20
OC: 19
RC: 20
QR: 18
AA: 19
TS: 19

I'm wondering if I should retake the DAT? My current stats are 3.1 cum GPA and 3.0 science. I know my GPA is really low, but do I even have a shot at getting an interview at schools with these scores and my current stats?

I'm currently taking post-bacc science classes with a full course load to work to raise my GPA. I have over 500+ hours of dental experience and over 300+ hours of volunteer service.

do about 2-3 more fulltime semesters worth of post-bacc (and obviously... do well)... then you can deicde if you need a re-take or not.

imo... no retake at this point in time