What should I do!? I bombed the DAT

[wansuen]

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I'm much more stressed now... I just got back from taking the DAT and I really bombed it. Here are my scores:

PA: 21
QR: 16
RC: 17
Bio: 16
GC: 17
OC: 14
TS: 16
AA: 16

I did poorly since I took the DAT before I was ready because I wanted to get my application in as soon as I could. I am currently in a masters degree program (MS in biotechnology) and my current GPA is 3.6, but my undergrad GPA was a 2.7.

So I don't know if I should just apply, or wait and retake the DAT in oct. Would that be too late? Also, can I apply twice during the same cycle. Lets say I got rejected from UoP, can I retake the DAT and reapply the same cycle, hoping to increase my chaces with the new DAT score?

Do you think anyone would even accept me with an AA of 16?

Please, I am only asking for helpful responces.


BTW: I have plenty of volunteer and dental experience (worked as a dental assistant for about 5 months)

 

[997GT3]

Dude I'm so sorry for you. And I thought I took mine prematurely. Call some schools and let them know you're retaking it.

 

[Regmata]

No, you can't reapply during the same cycle.

I would retake the DAT when you can score well...if it is this cycle, great, if not, you may have to apply next cycle.

The question really is, should you submit your application with those scores and having marked on there that you plan to retake the DAT or should you submit after your next DAT scores are in?

If you submit too early with those scores and that Undergrad GPA, you may get rejected quickly and lose out this cycle. On the other hand, if you submit too late, even with a vastly improved DAT, you may get overlooked.

Good luck with your applications and your next DAT

 

[wansuen]

I thought that if you put on your application that you are retaking the DAT, they don't look at your application until your new scores are in.

 

[Regmata]

That is a possibility and if it is true...there is no dilemma

 

[wansuen]

Thanks for the advice/response. I guess that is what I'll have to do.

 

[dentalman]

Apply now. Don't put your DAT scores into AADSAS. Send them directly to the schools once you retake the DAT. (This will cost more.) Realize that you will still need to get the DAT scores to the schools by each school's deadline. So, if you can't do better on the DAT (for sure - not maybe,) then just apply next year. I believe the schools will still see your old scores, but with better new ones you can be redeemed. Now, learn how to study better.

 

[mb93]

I'm much more stressed now... I just got back from taking the DAT and I really bombed it. Here are my scores:

PA: 21
QR: 16
RC: 17
Bio: 16
GC: 17
OC: 14
TS: 16
AA: 16

I did poorly since I took the DAT before I was ready because I wanted to get my application in as soon as I could. I am currently in a masters degree program (MS in biotechnology) and my current GPA is 3.6, but my undergrad GPA was a 2.7.

So I don't know if I should just apply, or wait and retake the DAT in oct. Would that be too late? Also, can I apply twice during the same cycle. Lets say I got rejected from UoP, can I retake the DAT and reapply the same cycle, hoping to increase my chaces with the new DAT score?

Do you think anyone would even accept me with an AA of 16?

Please, I am only asking for helpful responces.


BTW: I have plenty of volunteer and dental experience (worked as a dental assistant for about 5 months)

Wansuen,
I understand that you are bumbed about your score. But don't be too hard on yourself. I wanted to compliment you on you PAT! A 21 is amazing, and should not go unrecognized 🙂
Good luck

 

[uesider]

Hi Wansuen,

Yes, good job on the PAT! It is an accomplishment even finishing the DAT, so don't get too down on yourself. I am getting similar scores to you on my practice tests, and exam is less than a month. How were you scoring on practice tests? Did you feel ready, or just wanted to get it over with? How much would you say you studied?

I totally understand how overwhelming the whole thing is, and I feel like this information is just never going to all fit into my brain. Anyway, as for your predicament, I would apply now and tell schools you are retaking DAT in October. You won't get any interview invites until then, but at least you'll have a few more months to study and won't kick yourself out of the running for 2008 cycle altogether. Good luck! 🙂

 

[KoiMan]

Hi Wansuen,

Yes, good job on the PAT! It is an accomplishment even finishing the DAT, so don't get too down on yourself. I am getting similar scores to you on my practice tests, and exam is less than a month. How were you scoring on practice tests? Did you feel ready, or just wanted to get it over with? How much would you say you studied?

I totally understand how overwhelming the whole thing is, and I feel like this information is just never going to all fit into my brain. Anyway, as for your predicament, I would apply now and tell schools you are retaking DAT in October. You won't get any interview invites until then, but at least you'll have a few more months to study and won't kick yourself out of the running for 2008 cycle altogether. Good luck! 🙂

I felt the same way when i studied for the DAT, i felt like i wasn't never going to be finish with all the studying but sometimes you just gotta take it and see how far you really have gotten. As for the reapplying twice the same cycle, that won't be possible. Just don't put it in Adsass until you retake your new DAT and just mail your scores individually to the school you are applying. So take the next 3 months to do some hardcore studying and get your DAT in by october (that shouldnt be too late)-possibly end up with post-dec 1st interviews but its ok you still have a good chance.

 

[DrSmiles12]

I would prep for next year and apply next year, thats my personality because I couldn't handle the stress of worrying about getting the app out now and then trying to get another DAT test taken really quick. I mean that is a huge stress to have to worry about getting your app perfect and then having already spent the money to apply and having to strees about getting the DAT done and perfect as well. Then what if your DAT score is good but you app just happend to be to late by there standards? I don't know, it just seems like a lot of stress. And I would hate to apply 2 years in a row and waste the money on one year. You need to take a little break after the DAT.

I would hold off, take a few months to focus strictly on the DAT study and prep.. Retake it when you know you can do well enough and then I would apply next year.

Take your time, get your ducks all in the same row. One year isn't gonna do that much to your life as a dentist.

Anyway free advice is worth what you pay for it,

Good luck!

 

[997GT3]

erased

 

[wansuen]

Thanks everyone for your advice. Even though I still feel stressed (as I think I should), I do feel better after reading what all of you have to say. So I plan on taking the DAT this oct. and hoping for the best. If I must, then I will reapply next year too.

 

[DDS:)]

U have good grad. GPA and lots of experiences, and amazing PAT score. Retake the DAT, and do well this time, make the admission committees see ur improvements. Good luck !

 

[mahme]

why would you take the DAT before you're ready? You could have spent another month studying but now you have to wait 3 months, which I think would be too late in the cycle for early acceptances.

The best course of action would be to learn to concentrate and retake the DATs and do well. If you don't get any interviews when you resubmit, apply again next cycle.

 

[littlemissy]

i as well would just be gearing up for next year. With a low gpa a low dat you are just not a strong applicant. Redo the DAT and take your time and work through all the material. At this point with you applying it would be a waste of money. Even if you retake in october it just is going to be to late. By september/october they know who they are going to interview. Make yourself a strong applicant next year and then apply you will feel much better. Just don't get discouraged. Apply next year as a better applicant.

 

[angelg5]

You will do better next time. That said, I don't think you should apply this cycle because by October, admissions offices will already be flooded by applications. Your 2.7 ugrad gpa is a concern. My feeling is that schools will already have a lot of strong applicants by then.

That said, your grad gpa is great and if you give yourself an ample amount of time to study for the dat, you will have a solid application. Also, you don't want to burn out studying for the DAT. Ask yourself if you have the stamina to jump right back into studying and take the exam in October.