Took the DAT 6+ years ago...need to retake?

[lucypickle]

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Long story short...older non-traditional applicant planning on reapplying after 6+ years-had interviews but didn't get in.

I'm guessing I would have to retake the DAT??
I took it twice back then.

Also, since I've been out of school for 10+ years...How are the letters of recommendations approached for someone in my situation? I don't have the ones I used my first go at it from professors. I would imagine I would need new ones-from business associates? Dentists?

Any insight would be appreciated-Thanks!

 

[herragge]

I would recommend rewriting the DAT. I was debating writing the DAT again too because my last DAT was written in 2007 (Canadian DAT) and I'm having a tough time finding schools that will even accept that. I think the oldest I have seen that will be accepted is 5 years but even then you are limiting your options. Rewrite the DAT and it won't be your limiting factor in choosing schools to apply to, that was my reasoning.

 

[SuperTank]

As far as your DAT is concerned, yes, you do have to retake it. Mine was only 4 years old, and I had to retake it, too.

As for your letters, I'm not too sure what the process would be there.

 

[MrBeans]

I would suggest re-taking the DAT.

Since you've been out of school for so long, and it sounds like you've been working in a business setting, you may need to re-take your pre-reqs or take some upper level science classes to prove yourself. Unfortunately science credits expire due to the dynamic nature of the subjects, and 10 years may have met this expiration threshold.

I would suggest any thought of applying this year, and focus on next years cycle.

A year or two of course work will not only prepare you for the DAT, but it will also refresh your science credits and possibly boost your GPA. In addition, that would be your chance to ask for science professor letters of evaluation.

 

[dentaldawg32]

I would suggest re-taking the DAT.

Since you've been out of school for so long, and it sounds like you've been working in a business setting, you may need to re-take your pre-reqs or take some upper level science classes to prove yourself. Unfortunately science credits expire due to the dynamic nature of the subjects, and 10 years may have met this expiration threshold.

I would suggest any thought of applying this year, and focus on next years cycle.

A year or two of course work will not only prepare you for the DAT, but it will also refresh your science credits and possibly boost your GPA. In addition, that would be your chance to ask for science professor letters of evaluation.

They do not expire due to the "dynamic nature of the subjects". They expire because schools want to assess the schoolwork that is most indicative (and thus most recent) of your current academic ability. A person's study habits may have changed, for better or worse, over the 10 years since they last were in school.

 

[MrBeans]

They do not expire due to the "dynamic nature of the subjects". They expire because schools want to assess the schoolwork that is most indicative (and thus most recent) of your current academic ability. A person's study habits may have changed, for better or worse, over the 10 years since they last were in school.

You are certainly correct.

In addition, I was told by my counselors that the science credits expire because the fields are always changing.

I think you are correct about the true reason; to assess current academic aptitude.

 

[Dippi]

Retake it, I spoke with a dent school admin, and they said that 2-3 years max, and thats for someone who is still in school