Third time taking DAT...Death wish?

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lauren555j

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I'm taking the DATs for the third time and applying for the second time.
I've been asking around and it seems that other pre-dents assume that dental schools don't like it when you take your DATs 3 times...
Is this true? Is it looked down upon? A possible death wish? 😱
Im doing well on practice tests and I think I can score much higher this time around.
Here's my background:
I got a 16 about two years ago and an 18 just this past December and I didn't get in to any of the dental schools I applied to and I assume its because I applied really late (My application was in by August 2008 but no school had my new DAT score till January 2009). I already have my bachelor's in biology and finished with a 3.45 overall and a 3.2 science, but I'm in a 2-year Biomedical Science masters program and have already completed one year. I got As and Bs but it didn't seem to bump up my science gpa that much. With all this, should I really even take the DATs again?
 
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My friend took the DAT 3 times and got into UNLV this last cycle. His GPA is similar to yours, and his 3rd DAT score was a 21 AA.
 
Don't you just hate it when you do not know what to do? I'm in the same boat. I took the DAT twice...scored a 17 and submitted my application in mid-July. Took the DAT again in mid-August and scored an 18 (math increased a lot and so did PAT). 3.3 overall with a 3.1 science. Two interviews, rejected by one (my home state MN) and waitlisted at Creighton. I'm reapplying but nothing really changed except for more dental experience and personal statement. Debating if I should apply to a program like yours but bf says that it won't help increase my GPA since I have too many credits. I plan to take the DAT the 3rd time for the next cycle and try my luck this cycle with my current stats. Other than that, I don't know what else to do to improve my application.
 
Are you only allowed to take the DAT 3 times ever or is that per cycle?
 
My TS AA PAT are fine, qr is ok for qr, but my RC is a 16, most schools want to see 18 and above across the board, they didn't even ask what my gpa was when I asked about the dat, look at the position they are putting me in (or I put myself in), I have to go through that horrible process all over again, risk lowering every other section, to raise a section you can't study for, don't have much practice material, and don't know if you can do better/worse.
 
Well still is that a 4th during a lifetime or per application cycle?
 
We should start a group for "third times the charm". I have taken it twice and am looking at a 3rd time after I finish my MS program...

This isn't fun and the stress that comes with it is worse than anything! We need to kill that test though so we can realize our dream!
 
A Masters program wont bump your science gpa by that much unless u have like ALL A's. But if you have the money to afford going, you should do it to prove to dental schools that ur serious about being a dentist and ur not giving up...of course u need to do well in the program to admit that.
Like you, I also have no idea what to do at this point...
I did everything I can....and Im really counting on the 3rd DAT so im pushing myself to the limit. Its my last hope if I wanna get in this year.
I suggest you haul ass, study with destroyer and kaplan preferably, and get ur hands on every practice test you can find. Thats what im doing.
Also, call the dental schools you wanna go to...smooch em and make sure you have everything. Speak to the deans, ask what your chances are and what else they expect from you to meet their criteria. Dont be shy...
And lastly...APPLY EARLY! So important!
 
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I took the DAT twice
First time I scored Bio 19, ochem 19, gen chem 19, pat 18 eventually AA 18 TS: 19 but my math and RC were terrible I got 15 and 16. My GPA wasn't that great either, Cum: 3.2 and Sci: 3.1 I got two interviews USC and OHSU and I got in alternative list.

Second time retake DAT scored bi 19, ochem 20, gen chem 21, pat 18, RC 16 and Math 16 didn't improve at all AA: 18, TS:19. I postbac took some classes, doesn't really improve much my GPA. Cum 3.3 and Sci 3.2 Two same schools from last time called for interviews and same results waiting list again. I was really depressed. I also planned to retake the DAT again for the third try, but a miracle happened last night. I got accepted to OHSU.

OHSU is the school that told me right away during my first interview in my first year try that I would not be accepted because of my English. I remembered that I was shocked when the professor told me that right the moment i walked into his office. But it's ok at least i know my weak point.

Second time interview at OHSU, they showed their concerns about my English, probably because of last year notes from one of the interviewers. that was probably why I got in their waited list again, but now none of it matters anymore...I finally get in...Thanks God.
 
I don't think taking the DAT 3 times would hurt you at all... if you get a better score that is what they want to see. The schools I applied to only look at the most recent test. Study your tail off, and just because you have a low area doesnt necessarily mean you won't get in. I did well on the whole test but did aweful (15) in math. In my interviews I straight up told them it was my weakness and explained why. I got into my top 2 choices, and each one said they wanted at least an 18 on each section. hang in there
 
I took the DATs 3x and I'm doing a Master's Program. The first time I took the DATs I got 19AA 18 Sci 17PAT. Second Time I took it 19AA 18Sci 19PAT. I just took it a third time this past week and got 22AA 23Sci 20 PAT. Let's hope third time's a charm!
I think Master's programs really help because even though it doesn't change your overall GPA by much, there is a separate Grad GPA and schools will be able to see a big difference between your undergrad and grad. Just a warning though, if you do a masters program, you need to do exceptionally well. When talking to a committee member, he commented that my Grad GPA was low (it's a 3.5) because you need at least a 3.0 to stay in the program. They expect you to have close to a 4.0 in grad school....
 
DmdNJ said:
I took the DATs 3x and I'm doing a Master's Program. The first time I took the DATs I got 19AA 18 Sci 17PAT. Second Time I took it 19AA 18Sci 19PAT. I just took it a third time this past week and got 22AA 23Sci 20 PAT. Let's hope third time's a charm!
I think Master's programs really help because even though it doesn't change your overall GPA by much, there is a separate Grad GPA and schools will be able to see a big difference between your undergrad and grad. Just a warning though, if you do a masters program, you need to do exceptionally well. When talking to a committee member, he commented that my Grad GPA was low (it's a 3.5) because you need at least a 3.0 to stay in the program. They expect you to have close to a 4.0 in grad school....
Click to expand...


thats what killed me. i have a 3.0 in the masters program, and i recently dropped a course bc there was no way to get a B (was at a C).. my undergrad was a 3.5. my sci was a 3.4 and i graduated 3 years after high school taking no summer classes avg 19 credits a semester. grad early with the help of AP and college classes in high school. ive never withdrawn from a class, and i got waitlisted to dental school. i messed up badly, what do u think i should do, drop out and study my life off for the dats (i got 18 aa, 19 sci)
 
3puttinHacker said:
Are you only allowed to take the DAT 3 times ever or is that per cycle?
Click to expand...

lmao, no man, 3 times PER LIFE TIME.

I've seen a few students around here on SDN who bombed thier first 3 tries, Im talking 17s AA and on thier 4th try, rocked a 22+ AA. So DON'T STRESS OUT ABOUT HOW MANY TIMES YOU CAN/CAN'T TAKE IT. You should focus all your energy to doing well.
 
Looks like this is the 'Third Time is a Charm" forum!😛
I'm in the same boat as well. I'm retaking my DATs for the third time at the end of June and reapplying once the cycle opens up. I've been out of college since 2007 and have been working since (GPA: 3.5 and science GPA: 3.4) I scored an AA of 18 and PA 19 both times, but still applied last year. Though none of the schools got back to me at all---no interviews, which had me in depressed mode for a few months and unsure of what to do next 😕. Not much has changed for me, except more volunteer hours at a dental clinic and shadowed at a new practice for 2 days. I'm a Massachusetts resident, so there's no state school for me to apply to. I'm actually going to quit my current job next month for a CRA position that involves clinical work, patient interactions, and gaining management skills. If only the job was dental related...🙄
We just need to stay positive, apply early, and hope that third time is def a charm!
 
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