Taking DAT at this point is going to help me???

[callmejimmy]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey. I was really hoping to get into my state school NJ, and i had an interview but i got rejected. My stat. is 19/ 20 and 3.2 undergraduate math major. post-bac 3.55 Bio major. I have taken classes (microbiology, biochemistry, mamalian physiology, genetics and so on) that may need for dental school.
At this point, to get a biology as a second degree, i still have to take 3 or 4 classes like plant biology and so on (totally bs). Anyway, i have not heard anything from any schools even though i applied early.
So I am worried and nervous. I think that taking DAT is the only way to improve for this cycle, what do you guys think?

 

[docnimster]

In my opinion, your DAT scores are pretty good. Taking it again, however, is not a bad idea.

A person in you situation needs to do a few key things: (not as an expert but as somone who is non-traditional and jumped through the hoops)

1. High DAT scores: Study again and retake the test. Aim for 20+ especially in PAT

2. Do well in all post-bac or bio courses. You seem to have already done that.

3. Get some proven experience in a dental office.

4. MOST IMPORTANT: GET TO KNOW YOUR DESIRED SCHOOL, THE ADMIN, AND THE DEAN OF ADMISSIONS!!!!! I can't tell you how many people don't do this. You can't just rely on GPA and test scores to get you in anymore. Talk to a school, get to know them, let them get to know you. It will make a HUGE difference

5. Apply early!!!!! (Latest: Mid-June)


Just my advice based on my experience......good luck 😉

 

[AnonymousADCOM]

Isn't it a bit late for this cycle to retake the DAT? You seem to have decent stats. Do you have extracurriculars? Did you apply to other schools? When did you apply?

 

[callmejimmy]

yes, i have extracurriculars. I have two internships at dental office and two intership at pharmacy school and the other at university of maryland dental school currently. My file is still uder review no interviews so far at Maryland. I really dunno what the problem is. I have received a lot of rejectance letters btw, I applies early jun. i am applying BU, NYU, Tufts, Maryland, Detroit Mercy, Howard, and Virginia. no interviews from any places. I think that because of many W grades my undergraduate years, and took DAT 3 times alreay ( last one i took was Jan, 2006 though). crazy

 

[callmejimmy]

so should i retake it, guys?

 

[RockstarDMD]

If you want retake. However, it is getting pretty late for this cycle.

 

[nate28]

It seems too late for this application cycle to take them again. I'd say plan on taking them again around April/May. If you get in this cycle, then cancel your test date, but if you don't then you are set up to take them again, and hopefully do well.

 

[blue_moon01]

wow.
Really, your resume sounds darn good.. I really cannot figure out why you're in this current situation. a 19/20 is above average. Granted, it's only average on SDN, but SDN is an ideal predent haven full of overachievers. As I was saying, your grades are good, your DAT is above average, your EC's are good.

Overall.. I think you still have a pretty good chance this cycle. Maybe you won't be one of the Dec. 1st acceptee.. but there's still a couple more acceptance rounds left for this cycle. AT this point, why not reach out to the schools? Call and ask them about your status and if there's anything else you could have done for them to consider you for this cycle or in the future. I've heard of people getting interviews that way (on SDN.. don't ask me to give link... it was just something I read about a month ago on SDN when I was going nuts waiting for acceptances).

As for retaking the DAT.... I don't know if you should do it because I still remember how much work it was to study for it so I'd hate to redo it again.

The only reason why I would retake it is if I did really really bad on one or more key sections (like one of the sciences or PAT).. we're talking...lower than 16.

Hold on to the dream.. I wish you lots of luck.. hope you'll hear something good soon~

 

[callmejimmy]

thanks guys. I call and ask them, all they say is that it is under review. Even though i say your school is top choice over the phone, they say just wait. When I wait, i get a rejectance letters. I hear people got interview at NYU with similar stat as mine. but not for me.
I know I really hate to take DAT again. It will be hell and I am afraid of getting lower scores than what i have now. i have 19/ 20 but my reading was 15. But i know that it is really hard for me to improve reading. Which schools should I aim for this cycle?

 

[callmejimmy]

which schools should I aim? With my stat and no retaking DAT? or At this point? Any thoughts?

 

[docnimster]

the problem might be the 15 in reading that you got. otherwise, i see no real reason why you shouldn't have an interview. btw, you can totally do better on the RC section with some practice. i used to teach DAT for Kaplan, and i must admit that the "roadmap" strategy, if used correctly, works pretty well. I would do what somone else recommended: sign up for the DAT and see what happens with your apps. don't give up!

 

[naivegrl124]

Hi, You seem to have good stats but a 15 in RC is the problem. I know for a fact that many dental school weights the RC part heavily next to the science since it is a good indicator of success in dental school (a study was done on this). So with that, I suggest you retaking the DAT. RC is definitely one of those sections you can improve on just like the PAT. Practice reading alot of scientific articles and try to maintain speed. Although like the above poster said, the "roadmap" strategy might be useful for some but not others (like myself) but find out what works for you (There are other strategies in the DAT forum you might want to look at). I am not a native born of the US so I know how difficult the RC section can be but just practice and find your way. As for which school you should aim for, try calling the schools you are interested in and ask them what a competitive DAT score is like at that particular school and tyr to match it up to your stats. (www.Predents.com is also a great resource) Goodluck.