To tell or not to tell ... that is the question..

[JustwantDDS]

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OK so long story short
I took my DATs in July- didn't score so hot 18AA 18TS 19 PAT- I really don't know why either- my Topscores and all were fine...guess I got nervous?

I'm planning on retaking- in October...

2 things..

Am I **** out of luck for this cycle? I've already applied to 10 schools- and everyone knows thats quite a sum of $...

Should I call the schools and tell them I'm retaking, or should I just take it and send off my scores?
I'm worried that if I tell them- they'll put my app aside and wait....which may be too late b/c its Oct???😕
But then again, if I don't tell them- I may get a flat out reject- and not move out of the reject pile...?

WHAT TO DO?!?!😕

oh, and ps: any motivation for retakers? im reallllly lacking in that department..

 

[tinman831]

Should I call the schools and tell them I'm retaking, or should I just take it and send off my scores?
I'm worried that if I tell them- they'll put my app aside and wait....which may be too late b/c its Oct???😕
But then again, if I don't tell them- I may get a flat out reject- and not move out of the reject pile...?

WHAT TO DO?!?!😕

This is a question a lot of applicants face. The answer will vary depending on so many different factors such as your GPA, extracurricular activities, etc.

 

[Swollof]

I was in this exact dilemma a month or two ago. I think it's a pretty tough call, but, in the end, I thought it was better to let schools know. This was actually before I had submitted my primary application on AADSAS, so all I did was indicate the future date of my DAT retake.

I figure that schools wouldn't just ignore your application until they see your new set of DAT scores. I think that they'll at least look at it. Then, if they see that you improve, you're in a better scenario. Otherwise, they could just reject you flat-out and mention that your DAT scores just weren't high enough, which would be a real bummer considering you were about to write the test again.

Good luck with the decision!

 

[hoylematt]

I would tell them. I found that there were a lot of schools that returned this statement when I emailed them "We do not put applications on hold and if your DAT score are above our minimums, we will consider you with those scores."

My solution to that problem was to not pay secondaries until my new DAT scores were updated 2 weeks after I took the test. That way I knew for sure that my new test scores would be included.

The question is do you think you are competitive right now with your current score? If not tell them to hold until you retake.

P.S. From what I understand about the admissions process: as soon as your application is complete (I.E. with secondary fee paid, secondary app filled out, DAT scores that meet the minimum) You go into the review process. The key to making them hold is to stop it at the administration end before it goes to review where you can be rejected.

 

[JustwantDDS]

hm...
Well, I've already paid my secondaries- most of them...
what should I do??.....

🙁

 

[hoylematt]

Contact some of the schools, tell them of your situation and see what they say. Some will be able to hold your completed application and some will not. At this point it is best to call up the specific school and get a handle on their policies.

 

[doc toothache]

Ds are certain to hold their collective breath until you re take the DAT.