To retake DAT or not?

[drpduck]

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So I'm a reapplicant, with a low undergrad GPA, but a good graduate GPA from a non-thesis, coursework based science masters. I am mainly trying to get into my state school (UMaryland), at which I have already interviewed (but no other interviews as of yet....). I have some time during winter break to possibly retake the DAT, but would only have a month or so to study.

I don't want to wait around until Feb/March to hear that schools want me to retake the DAT, since that would mean I wouldn't have time to retake it before the cycle is over.

Undergrad: 3.05 cum/2.7 sci, B.S. in Biology
Graduate (M.S. Biotechnology, will graduate in May) ~3.8 cum/3.6 sci

DAT:
AA:18
TS:19
Bio: 21
Chem:19
O.Chem: 16
PAT:17
Reading:20
QR:14

Any ideas? Advice?

 

[theGodfather11]

i would advise you to retake it because your GPA is low. study hard and aim for 20s and you have a pretty good shot. as far as this cycle is concerned i dont know how much of a chance you have because it is getting late but you would be in great position to apply early next year. best of luck.

 

[PDizzle]

In these days, that DAT is average at best. Because of your low GPA I highly reccomend you retake it and get 20+ in as many sections as possible.

Schools are getting 2 and 3 thousand apps/year. They have hard cut-offs and your score might get put into the "Cya, nice to know ya" pile.


retake it.



Pdizzle has spoken....

 

[askadds]

im in the same position (stats below). i dont expect to get in this year so i will be taking it over again in a couple of months. i think its gonna be hella of lot easier the second time around.

cum gpa=2.72;science gpa=3.01
aa=18
pat=17
qr=14
rc=19
bio=21
gchem=18
ochem=21
ts=20

 

[gatormichigan]

I wouldnt because Ive seen people in your situation get acceptances into great places

 

[Cablindian]

I wouldnt because Ive seen people in your situation get acceptances into great places

I agree.... My DAT scores and my GPA are similar to yours, and I've already been accepted to 2 schools. It's not all about numbers. I did a ton of research, volunteering, etc. to back up my application. If you have other things to bring to the table, you should be fine.

 

[29DATyep]

You need to work on raising your OChem and QR scores.

Everything else looks pretty good...Supposedly UMaryland will not extend an invitation to you if you have less than an 18. Other schools may accept you without increasing those scores but ultimately you want to make your application as solid as possible.

Good Luck!

 

[drpduck]

Thanks for all the replies. I have a poor undergrad history, but a great Grad GPA, so I'm on the fence about this. I know a better DAT will most certainly help me, and I really don't want to have to apply again when I could possibly get in this time, since its already my second application cycle.

I thought my interview went well, I prepared really well, had friends do mock interviews with me and all. I have a whole lot of dental experience, was involved in the Predental society, have done research etc.

I really want to get in this time, but is there even a chance for anyone with a 18 AA to really get into schools anymore? I know at the interview UMaryland said there average was a 20 AA last year, but all I see on SDN is 22+ DAT's, there must be a few spots for people with less then amazing scores if the average is 20.

 

[aggie-master]

If you think that you can pull a 20AA if you take it this month, I would definitely recommend it. It might help guarantee you a spot for this year at Maryland.

If you do plan on retaking it, make sure that you are ready for it. I know of a few people that did worse or the same on the second try.

 

[Yeyyy]

I wouldnt retake if I were you. It seems too late for higher scores to matter, so even if you did get higher scores, they will most likely be used for next year's cycle. It's better to give it more time to study for the test and be sure that you do amazing on it. Besides, they have that new 'Take the DAT only 3 times' rule now, so it'll be a hassle if you mess up this one and have to take it a 4th time.

 

[drpduck]

Well I know if I start studying soon, I still remember most of the material from when I took it over the summer, so hopefully I'd be able to recall quickly and gain a better understanding of what I don't know.

Last time I applied, I was interviewed and didn't get in. Late December I called the school and talked to the dean of admissions about my file, and retaking the DAT, GPA etc. At that time she said to just "wait" because they send out more acceptances, so I did. Late Feb, I talked to her again and she mentioned taking classes to raise GPA, retake DAT etc. I'm trying to avoid that situation again, I know schools will tell me just to "wait" and see what happens in the committee, but I don't want to wait and hear in Feb that I need to retake the DAT, when I could have already taken it by then.

I guess I will wait until the end of my semester (Dec. 16th) to see if I get an acceptance. I believe another round of acceptances (at least where I interviewed) came on Dec. 15th last year, hopefully they will again.

 

[xxxTheDonxxx]

this is my opinion...no more no less

18AA can be done with a 3.5+ science and 3.5+ cummulative....plus extraordinary extra curiculum activities.

If you're sitting on an 18AA with a gpa less than 3.5+....i would retake my DAT.

 

[AnonymousADCOM]

this is my opinion...no more no less

18AA can be done with a 3.5+ science and 3.5+ cummulative....plus extraordinary extra curiculum activities.

If you're sitting on an 18AA with a gpa less than 3.5+....i would retake my DAT.

so his masters gpa at johns hopkins doesn't matter?

 

[drpduck]

so his masters gpa at johns hopkins doesn't matter?

Lol, I've been thinking the same thing for some time! As of now I guess I will retake the DAT, my semester doesn't end until Dec. 16th, and as of last year UMD sent out another round of acceptances on Dec. 15th, so hopefully I get in and its no worries!

I am hoping my graduate GPA can mean something to the ADCOM, seeing as I've done very well ( I worked my a$$ off for it!!!!!!) in graduate level science courses.

But if not I suppose I have to hit the study books hard and retake it late Jan, which hopefully will still allow me to get in during this cycle.

 

[shamrock2006]

I'm in basically the same situation..i have similiar dat scores but my GPA is a little bit higher...i've had interviews already but have only made the waitlist...i created a similar thread asking if it would be a good idea for me to take the DAT, i've already taken it twice. I dont have a 3.5+ in science or cum..although my cum is close i guess. So i'm just as confused as you

 

[CSI Dentist]

yeah I am retaking mine at the end of January. I just dug out all the old Kaplan books and study materials and I am ready to close myself in my room for the next month and get at least a point higher on my AA. Currently it is at 19 👎 but I really really want to get in this cycle, and I think with 20 at least they will maybe give me a second chance?! That or it won't hurt to get a higher score in case i just might have to apply again next cycle.

 

[shamrock2006]

yeah I am retaking mine at the end of January. I just dug out all the old Kaplan books and study materials and I am ready to close myself in my room for the next month and get at least a point higher on my AA. Currently it is at 19 👎 but I really really want to get in this cycle, and I think with 20 at least they will maybe give me a second chance?! That or it won't hurt to get a higher score in case i just might have to apply again next cycle.

if you have a decent GPA i think you're ok for this cycle

 

[xxxTheDonxxx]

so his masters gpa at johns hopkins doesn't matter?

Please don't misunderstand me! I was talking about GPA and DAT alone...meaning we are assuming the other stuff are average aka not amazing!

 

[drpduck]

Hmm so I started this post thinking that I will most definately retake the DAT over winter break, but now I'm not so sure.


*If I did better it would certainly help my chances
*If I did worse it would hurt my chances a lot more
*I only have ~1 month to study
*I have a good graduate gpa (non-thesis masters, thus all coursework based gpa)
*I have a crappy undergrad gpa
*Only 1 interview thus far (at state school)

Obviously I'd like to get in this cycle, but I know that one month is going to be hard, especially with a pressing family illness. I guess I should call the school and ask to speak with the dean of admissions for advice, I'm kinda lost on this one....

 

[lovechild404]

one word answer to your question:

YES!

def take the dat again. that 14 is going to really stand out...in a bad way! shoot for a 20+aa if your gpa is below a 3.4 and around a 19aa for anything above that.

 

[dentstd]

Silly people. Find out if you got in this round before you think about retaking anything!!!! Start prep'n in Mar/Apr at the earliest, to take in Jun. Til Mar, don't even think about studying that bad boy!

 

[CSI Dentist]

at least some of you know that you are waitlisted. My school told me to call them in MAY if I don't hear back from them by then hahahha.... IN MAY!!! Last year they accepted someone in JULY! 🙂 soo...... i really wish I knew how to stop obsessing over this.

 

[drpduck]

Hmm so more conflicting ideas, I don't know whether to take it over winter or not now. Some say wait, others say go for it, I say I don't know.

 

[CSI Dentist]

why don't u call your school and ask them if that would even help out, and if they would even look over your new scores, or you should just get ready for the next cycle.

I decided to take GRE hahah.. take some graduate courses, and reapply in case this years goes to $hI7, oh and retake DAT when I know I am ready and can get at least 20 and up... 🙁

 

[callmejimmy]

join the club. I had an interview at my state school in oct. But i got rejected. I have taken DAT 4 times. the latest one was Jan 2006. yeap. this is my third year applying. My score was 19/ 20 / but reading was 15. my undergraduate GPA 3.2 math major. my post bac was 3.55. I have to make a decision whether i retake DAT or enroll in Masters. Any suggestions? I am soo afraid of taking DAT again that what if i get lower score than 19 since i have less than a month?? Any suggestions?

 

[drpduck]

Ok so I called the school and they said I am "still under review by the committe-no decision has been reached".

Now I'm not sure if that means I'm waitlisted and they just won't tell me, or if I'm in a pile of applicants that hasn't been reviewed yet.

 

[Cymbidium]

join the club. I had an interview at my state school in oct. But i got rejected. I have taken DAT 4 times. the latest one was Jan 2006. yeap. this is my third year applying. My score was 19/ 20 / but reading was 15. my undergraduate GPA 3.2 math major. my post bac was 3.55. I have to make a decision whether i retake DAT or enroll in Masters. Any suggestions? I am soo afraid of taking DAT again that what if i get lower score than 19 since i have less than a month?? Any suggestions?

I think you can only take the DAT 3 times- so that 4th time may have been your last. I'm not sure if the rule is retroactive.

 

[CSI Dentist]

Ok so I called the school and they said I am "still under review by the committe-no decision has been reached".

Now I'm not sure if that means I'm waitlisted and they just won't tell me, or if I'm in a pile of applicants that hasn't been reviewed yet.

did you ask them if by taking DAT and scoring higher would have any effect on their decision?

 

[drpduck]

The person I talked to was a receptionist, not a member of the committee. When I asked about whether the committee would let me know anything, such as if I would need to retake DAT etc., she said they would contact me. She just said my file is "complete" and "no decision has been made".

Seems kinda like "wait to see what we say about you", but I'm wondering if it really does mean they haven't looked over my file or they just put me in a lower priority pile to make a decision on later.

 

[shamrock2006]

to retake..or not to retake...what a mind blowing question. I ask it everyday of my life...so I feel ya DrP, i think we're pretty much in the same boat. I'd really like to know if I'll get in or not, or if I even have a fighting chance...but of course, nothing about this is ever certain unless you blow people away w/ your stats. Which almost EVERYONE seems to be doing these days...i dont think most of the applicants this year are human..i think they're cyborgs.

 

[collegeboy30000]

....i dont think most of the applicants this year are human..i think they're cyborgs.

"GEICO, so easy even a 'cyborg' can do it!"

 

[CSI Dentist]

lol...

well guys and girls... the way I look at it, first of all there is still plenty of time. They will meet up again in January and go over the remaining ppl in the pile and if there is still room we all might get a letter or two. It can happen. Reatking DAT only makes sense if you are ready enough to take it and get an awesome score (that meaning above 20 across the board).

It won't be a total tragedy if we all have to reapply next cycle. Most of your stuff is already ready. You have your DAT scores, you know what you will put down on your personal statement, most of us can recycle LOR's, so if we are so SOL this cycle, just reapply and do it EARLY.

Nothing will most likely start to happen untill mid January, right now they are probably ready for their break, and with christmas around the corner, I doubt they will be sitting at their desks going over our applications.

So ... our best bet is to wait it out, mid January and then start freaking out again, and calling them, and figuring if DAT needs to be retaken and all that good stuff.

Alcohol helps, a lot. Hope you are not morman. (no offense) 🙂 But I am too going through this, and have little pep talks with myself on daily basis!