what do :-(

[krvstak]

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I'm freaking out cause my DAT is 1.5 weeks away. Everyone I speak to thinks highly of me and they believe I will do well; but I feel like the complete opposite in terms of what I could potentially score. I've always been super hard on myself and it sucks. My confidence level is just literally below 0. Idk if it's just anxiety or what.

I know providing info wouldn't be helpful because I'm currently DAT score-less; but I was just curious if I even have a chance given my GPA etc...

total transfer GPA: 3.717
total institution GPA: 3.333
overall GPA: 3.625
biology core GPA: 3.89

Calculus w/ analytical geom: A
Bio1&2+Lab: A
Physics w/ Calculus 1&2+Lab: A
gChem1&2+Lab: A
Genetics: A
A&P 1+Lab: A
A&P 2+Lab: B
Orgo1&2: A
Orgo 1 Lab: A
Orgo 2 Lab: B
Biochem 1: B-
Microbio: Taking this coming summer semester along with 3 other courses (stat and I think 2 courses pertaining to my minor)

Graduating most likely Spring 2018 with a BS in Biological Science and a Health Administration minor

Leadership: Historian of pre-dental club, I was a section leader for my schools front ensemble during marching band seasons and indoor percussion for a few years back in HS (I graduated co' 13)

Volunteering hours: probably well over 300+ hrs teaching a high schools percussion section, volunteering at a summer camp one year, and random volunteering opportunities through my schools pre-dental club

Shadowing hours: 67hrs with a general dentist & hopefully more after my DAT

Hobbies: sewing, card making, sculpting, building stuff (I recently helped build a computer)

Jobs: babysitting/dogsitting

Personal Statement: Super rough draft. Haven't even finished; I have around 2300 characters but still need to work on it.

LoR: I have the dentist I shadowed, my A&P1/Bio1 professor, and my intermediate alg/college alg/precal/trig professor (is a letter of rec from a math professor considered science or non-science??? I keep hearing science but idk)

**question in regards to LoR, the professors I have are from my state college, does this matter? I heard it doesn't.



I'm sorry if this is possibly a complete waste of time because without my DAT score you can't really judge my chances 🙁 I'm just so insanely nervous it makes nauseous. I feel like maybe hearing from someone on SDN will put me in a better state of mind.

Anyway... thanks for taking the time to read/respond! Back to studying I go!




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[TeethAreMyThing]

Keep shadowing. You're already in a good spot and the DAT is nothing to be afraid of. It's a hard exam, it takes preparation, you convince yourself that you are not prepared- especially as the days become fewer, but you will do fine. I was convinced the night before that I would get a 16 and have to retake. I didn't, but if that had happened, I would have retaken no questions asked. If this is the career that you want, then an admissions test will not hold you back, even if you have to take it a few times. Stop stressing and keep studying!!

 

[joker16z]

Mathematics falls under science! Students who graduate with a degree in any field of mathematics receive a BS! If you still don't believe me, there's a list called "2017-2018 ADEA AADSAS (Dental) Course Subjects" where it is listed under "Other Science"

 

[krvstak]

Given my stats, if I were to score (hopefully) a 20 would I have a chance?

I'm a FL resident and plan on only applying to LECOM & Nova instate; OOS I do plan on applying to at least 8 other schools. Dream would be Stony Brook (ha yea rite) but it's just dependent on my potential score etc. (I have family in NY so housing wouldn't be so much of an issue fyi); as for the other OOS schools I'd be applying to... where should I consider (given that I got a 20 or 21?!)

p.s. I know my stats may make it seem as if I should maybe stop worrying so much and that I should have no problem on the DAT but I just have really REALLY bad test anxiety. It takes a lot of work, in comparison to my peers, to get the grades I have. That's why I'm worried. Also the last time I took a standardized test (SAT or ACT) I scored below average the first time, retook.... and scored worse..

ugh


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[krvstak]

Mathematics falls under science! Students who graduate with a degree in any field of mathematics receive a BS! If you still don't believe me, there's a list called "2017-2018 ADEA AADSAS (Dental) Course Subjects" where it is listed under "Other Science"

Oh ok awesome! My bad! I'm just new to all this stuff haha. I'll definitely check it out.


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[TeethAreMyThing]

Given my stats, if I were to score (hopefully) a 20 would I have a chance?

I'm a FL resident and plan on only applying to LECOM & Nova instate; OOS I do plan on applying to at least 8 other schools. Dream would be Stony Brook (ha yea rite) but it's just dependent on my potential score etc. (I have family in NY so housing wouldn't be so much of an issue fyi); as for the other OOS schools I'd be applying to... where should I consider (given that I got a 20 or 21?!)

p.s. I know my stats may make it seem as if I should maybe stop worrying so much and that I should have no problem on the DAT but I just have really REALLY bad test anxiety. It takes a lot of work, in comparison to my peers, to get the grades I have. That's why I'm worried. Also the last time I took a standardized test (SAT or ACT) I scored below average the first time, retook.... and scored worse..

ugh


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I'm from Georgia with a slightly worse GPA and a 21 DAT. I also had family in NY, so I applied to UB and the rest is history. Apply wherever you want if you can afford it. Don't let anyone tell you that a certain school is out of your reach. Had I not taken the long shot (~9% OOS) and applied to Buffalo, I would be reapplying right now. Don't get yourself worked up over the DAT. I barely slept the night before, made myself sick, and in the end it was just a test. Just one more hurdle. It will all be worth it in the end, so try your hardest not to psych yourself out. You've got this!

 

[krvstak]

Keep shadowing. You're already in a good spot and the DAT is nothing to be afraid of. It's a hard exam, it takes preparation, you convince yourself that you are not prepared- especially as the days become fewer, but you will do fine. I was convinced the night before that I would get a 16 and have to retake. I didn't, but if that had happened, I would have retaken no questions asked. If this is the career that you want, then an admissions test will not hold you back, even if you have to take it a few times. Stop stressing and keep studying!!

I keep convincing myself I'll get a 2... :~(

Lol! I know it's not possible but I really do want this so I'll keep trying till I can't anymore. But you're right. Lemme get off SDN and get back to it. Thanks for replying!


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[TrevorwestDDS]

Your application is definitely solid. The hard work you've put in places you in a great position. Also, you will have plenty of time to get in more shadowing hours after the DAT. However, how well you do on the DAT is based more off of your specific preparation for it. The best indicator of whether you are ready or not will be the practice DAT test scores from bootcamp or other study resources. They are a fairly decent predictor of success on the real thing. You can put in a lot of work in the week and a half you have left. Even though its tough, don't psych yourself out. The DAT is just another stepping stone like all the other accomplishments you have on your resume. Good luck! No doubt you'll do well

 

[845302]

I used to be the same as you... Until like grade 10. Right before AP tests I always was freaking out telling myself that I would fail. In beginning of grade 11, I realized that telling myself or merely thinking to myself that I would fail, lowered my score. From there on out, I was confident (Not cocky.. There's quite the difference) that I had prepared enough and tried my hardest and my score will be sufficient. And look where I am now.

You just gotta go with a mentality knowing that you have tried your hardest and if you deep inside really have emotion or want to do well, you will succeed. Seems like you really want to succeed. And that's exactly what you need, motivation. Set aside everything else and know that you have done what you could and what you could is sufficient. With how much it seems like you are studying I believe you can get a 21+.

Definately get in some more shadowing of different specialties of dentistry like Endo, Perio, OMFS, Pedo. You never know what you may like if you do not venture and find out for yourself.

Do you have any leadership roles in clubs etc.? For example, I was Vice President of Pre-Dental club (2 years) and student ambassador for Indian/Pakistani/Bangladeshi for student cultural affairs (1 1/2 years) at UMN while pursuing my B.S.

I would suggest applying to UMN, possibly Maryland, Temple, Stony Brook, maybe Touro but it's new tho, UF (Instate). Others can probably give u better recomendations on where to apply.

Try your best, and you will succeed! Good luck! Let us know how you do! 🙂

-Fyz

 

[Michael_Scott]

Doing pretty well friend. Only suggestion is that go into DAT fully prepared. You will never be 100% but still go in covering all the bases and giving it your everything. If you need to re-schedule do it and if you do, use that time completely to better yourself. I am not suggesting you move it, but just saying, if you do need to.
Confidence in yourself in itself is worth a lot of points even if you don't know some stuff on the exam.