Suggestions/Advice

[Sw83]

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Hi, everyone. I'm planning to begin the application process when the next cycle begins in the Spring, and I thought I'd ask for a little advice regarding the DAT. When I took the DAT last June, I wasn't entirely pleased with my score. My academic average was 17 and my science average 18. I've contemplated retaking the test in hopes of improving my score, but I'm ambivalent about doing so, given my GPA, etc.

I graduated in '05 with a bio degree ... My science GPA is 3.93 (thanks to immunology 😡) and my non-science GPA is 4.0. Since graduation I've been working as an adjunct professor at a community college, teaching general biology, anatomy & physiology laboratories.

Given my work experience, volunteering, shadowing experiences, etc. I'm not certain if I should fork out $190 to retake the DAT ... so I'm curious to know what you guys think ... Any advice you can offer will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[somethinpositiv]

With your amazing GPA, and below average DAT, you have a good chance at scraping by and getting into one school, perhaps your state school. However, it's definitely worth the time to retake the DAT. With your science GPA at 3.93, I see no reason why you can't study and get higher DAT scores for science. If you bring that DAT to a 20, you will pretty much have your choice of schools, instead of hoping a school chooses you. Good luck

 

[cherrycooler09]

You seem to have a good portfolio, but your DAT scores are not too great.

I would retake the DAT if I were you... boost up few points in each section. Schools may also wonder why you didn't retake it given that you took your DAT last June and you still have time until the next cycle begins.

It's only going to give you a much better chance of getting accepted.
good stats (gpa&dat) + good portfolio => "competitive" => multiple interview invites => you get accepted!!

Good luck!! 🙂

 

[vamosbears]

I agree. Why are you even asking? Of course you should take it again. I mean if you really want to be a dentist, you want to get all your bases covered and get more interviews. Or don't take it and you can look back and say, "what if?"

 

[klpennin]

Take it again, 17 is not so good. Everything else is, but you need that DAT score to be up around 19-20. And its totally doable if you put in as much effeort as you did in college to keep that 3.93. You just gota suck it up and study for a month. And retake. This will give you your best shot. What's one month for your entire future? Don't take a chance.

 

[stillhere858]

I would take it again because it takes away credibility from your GPA. Its good, but they will wonder why you didn't perform better on the DAT and also I don't know what school you went to but they may analyze that as well. GL

 

[Sw83]

Thanks for all the replies ... I greatly appreciate it! When I prepared for the DAT, I used TopScore Pro and scored 19, 22, and 18 respectively on three practice tests, so I felt good going into the test ... but my score obviously wasn't reflective of that. I would hate for one test score to prevent me to getting into a good school, especially given all the hard work I've done thus far. To answer your question, stillhere858, I graduated from Virginia Tech ... so there should be no question regarding the validity of my GPA.

 

[Livineasi]

I'd re-take the test. Unfortunately, the new average scores are closer to 19 and 20 then they are to 17/18

I had a TS:17 and AA:18 on my first test and wasn't going to retake. I decided to retake it at the last minute this week. I basically spent two days reviews the same material I had studied before and just went into the test way more relaxed. I cam out with TS: 20 and AA:19. I also didn't take up the ADA on their 5 free schools offer just in case I did worse. Of course now I'm doling out more cash to send all the new scores out.

Just remember, it will be more expensive to have to reapply completely than it will to just re-take the DAT.