suggestion to retake DAT

[veronikrunk]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I received an email from my top choice that suggested I retake the DAT. It went a little something like this:

A review of your AADSAS application indicates that your DAT scores, while meeting our required minimum, are non-competitive as compared to our program’s current admission statistics. While your present DAT scores do not exclude you from consideration, they do not enhance your application. Therefore, I would recommend that you consider retaking the DAT.
Please let us know whether you intend to retake the DAT and the planned test date. We look forward to hearing from you.


Has anybody ever received something like this? I can't decide if this is a positive thing (because they cared enough to email and my application is still under consideration)... or something else. Regardless, I'm retaking the DAT in January because I didn't think my first scores were the best indication of my ability.. Ugh. Thoughts?

 

[slm266]

Any acceptances else where?

Do what you gotta do to get into dental school.

 

[yjdentist]

is this from columbia?

 

[Predent007]

I received an email from my top choice that suggested I retake the DAT. It went a little something like this:

A review of your AADSAS application indicates that your DAT scores, while meeting our required minimum, are non-competitive as compared to our program's current admission statistics. While your present DAT scores do not exclude you from consideration, they do not enhance your application. Therefore, I would recommend that you consider retaking the DAT.
Please let us know whether you intend to retake the DAT and the planned test date. We look forward to hearing from you.


Has anybody ever received something like this? I can't decide if this is a positive thing (because they cared enough to email and my application is still under consideration)... or something else. Regardless, I'm retaking the DAT in January because I didn't think my first scores were the best indication of my ability.. Ugh. Thoughts?

I got an email like that last year. It all boils down to when you took your first DAT. If your still in the 90 no take window, then you'll have to wait X amount of time for the retake. I was in the window, so it was not practical for me to retake until the next cycle. If your not in the 90 day no take window, call the school and ask if they will accept an unoffical copy of your retake scores, because as both you and I know it could take a couple weeks (months) for offical scores to be reported to AADSAS and forwarded to the schools. Also remember to allow ample time for preparation and be prepared for the unfortunate reality that you may not do as well the second time around.

 

[duckdds]

What were your DAT scores?

 

[microbio]

I wrote the admissions committee and told them I would be willing to retake and waited to see if this would be a condition of my acceptance. It really depends on the school. My opinion would be (and others I have spoke with) that if you are above the cut-off in most sections (different for each school) but might have one low score (for me QR) then you probably won't need to re-take if other parts of your package are solid. I would post your scores and the school you are interested in that would enable others to give you better advice.

 

[veronikrunk]

Here's the background:
I took the DAT for the first time in October which means I will be eligible to retake in early January. I did ok, but not great (especially bio): PA 18, QR 17, RC 23, Bio 15, GC 18, Org 19, TS 18, AA 18. I had already sent in the AADSAS application, so it wasn't like I could just back out on submitting these scores. Also I just turned 27 and I'm not getting any younger!

My GPA is around 3.6 total and 3.4 science and I have 2 years experience as a dental assistant plus a previous life working in non-profit marketing and fundraising. Needless to say, I'm ready to take my dental skills to the next level and am really excited about becoming a full-time student again..

I received the email in question from U. of Maryland and replied to see if January scores would be accepted. They said that they would be accepted, but only the official report. So, I'm gearing up for my re-take and hoping I haven't ruined everything by extending the review period throughout January (I'll keep you posted). I'm in that weird spot where I haven't really heard from other schools either; just that my application is being reviewed.

Now that I've written a novel.. I would love to hear your feedback and any similar tales.😳

 

[lululime]

Ooh!!! If you took the DAT in October, it won't be that tough to review over again. Actually, just do lots of practice tests and make sure you get scores well into the 20's. If you need some motivation to study over the holidays, hire a tutor to help you refresh everything at a good pace. Best of luck!

 

[Predent007]

You mentioned that they would only accept the "official report". So say you take it Jan 15, it won't get to aadsas until at least February 1st, then 1 or two weeks from aadsas to the schools. That can potentially put application on hold until the middle of February. Call or email to find out what % of the class is accepted by that point, because some schools (especially state schools) are 20 deep into an alternate list at that point.

 

[7 Iron]

Here's the background:
I took the DAT for the first time in October which means I will be eligible to retake in early January. I did ok, but not great (especially bio): PA 18, QR 17, RC 23, Bio 15, GC 18, Org 19, TS 18, AA 18. I had already sent in the AADSAS application, so it wasn't like I could just back out on submitting these scores. Also I just turned 27 and I'm not getting any younger!

You got that e-mail because of the 15 Bio score. That's really too low to be competitive. If I were you, I would suck it up and take the DAT again, unless you have an acceptance on the table right now. I think it's a good sign that they e-mailed you about your scores though. If they weren't somewhat interested in you, they would have just rejected you already. It looks like they might want to interview you, but your scores are holding you back.