What to do? Just took the DAT

[BTR1208]

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so literally just finished my DAT. Still sitting in pro metric testing lobby.

I am really hoping I don't have to retake...

PAT: 21
QR: 18
RC: 22
Bio: 17 (stupid most random questions ever) 🙁
GC: 20
OC: 19
TS: 18
AA: 19

oGPA: 3.7
sGPA: 3.78

 

[Advance]

Are you applying for entry year 2016 or 2017?

 

[BTR1208]

2017

 

[Swagger1991]

so literally just finished my DAT. Still sitting in pro metric testing lobby.

I am really hoping I don't have to retake...

PAT: 21
QR: 18
RC: 22
Bio: 17 (stupid most random questions ever) 🙁
GC: 20
OC: 19
TS: 18
AA: 19

oGPA: 3.7
sGPA: 3.78

If you have really good extracurriculars and letters of rec you SHOULD be okay. I had only slightly higher scores (19 TS, 20 AA, 22 PAT, 21 QR, 25 RC), but received 9 interview invites (2 I turned down) and got accepted to 5 schools on Dec 1st.

 

[Advance]

Well. Your GPA is good and your DAT is average. I'd say you have good chances. Just apply broadly.

 

[ph159]

Agree with everyone else, dont think you need to retake

 

[BTR1208]

Awesome! I will def apply broadly. Hope somebody shows me some love.

I have a ton of work experience and volunteer hours. That plus a good story to tell on my PS and I'm hoping to get in somehwere.

 

[poutinepower]

well it depends on what schools you are aiming for and whether you think for sure you will do better if you retook it. I dont think a 19AA is too competitive for some of the top schools and if you are confident you could do better then I say should consider retaking seeing you have so much time as well.

Your GPA is great but your DAT may be holding you back from getting into the best.

 

[customx]

so literally just finished my DAT. Still sitting in pro metric testing lobby.

I am really hoping I don't have to retake...

PAT: 21
QR: 18
RC: 22
Bio: 17 (stupid most random questions ever) 🙁
GC: 20
OC: 19
TS: 18
AA: 19

oGPA: 3.7
sGPA: 3.78

What schools are you looking to apply to? Do you have an in-state public school? If I were you, I would really consider a retake so that your TS and AA are more in line with your GPA. Contrary to what others say, your AA and TS are below average for most of the top 30-40 schools.
Something else to consider: Is it worth a few hundred dollars and a month or two more of studying if it means getting into a public school and paying $100k+ less in tuition compared to a private school?

 

[BTR1208]

well it depends on what schools you are aiming for and whether you think for sure you will do better if you retook it though right? I dont think a 19AA is too competitive for some of the top schools and if you are confident you could do better then I say should consider retaking seeing you have so much time as well.

Your GPA is great but your DAT may be holding you back from getting into the best.

What schools are you looking to apply to? Do you have an in-state public school? If I were you, I would really consider a retake so that your TS and AA are more in line with your GPA. Contrary to what others say, your AA and TS are below average for most of the top 30-40 schools.
Something else to consider: Is it worth a few hundred dollars and a month or two more of studying if it means getting into a public school and paying $100k+ less in tuition compared to a private school?

Honestly I've had the odds against me since day 1. I've had to bust my ass in school and life to be where I'm at today. I have one state school (Indiana) but would be happy going anywhere. Applying to Midwestern, nova, Lecom, etc.

My stats are average at my state school. I would love to go there because of the cost but realize it may or may not work out and I may have to pay more. Specifically which schools should I have on my list?

Thanks everybody!

 

[faceman]

I'd recommend a retake. You have plenty of time until June 2016. From my experience, the application cycle has been very competitive and even with a great application and scores, I know many that still have not received interviews!

Anyways, if dentistry is what you want, use the winter break to study some more and retake in the spring just before the cycle opens. Try an AA of at least 20 and shoot to make your science sections the highest if you can.

Don't be upset because you now know what to expect and the stress will be lower if you retake.


Good luck!!!

 

[smeagol3]

I think you should be fine if your LOR's and EC's are spectacular.

I applied this year and had everything sent out September 4th this year. Got 7 interviews, 2 post-December that I declined and 5 pre-December. Got into 2 schools December 1st.

I had about 1,100 community service/volunteer, 115 shadowing and my DAT was very similar to yours:

18aa/19ts/20pat/19gc/19bio/18oc/19rc/16qr

My gpa was 3.81 and science was 3.79. I also attended a small school like you. Write a bomb PS, get great LOR's and have lots of EC's.

 

[BTR1208]

I think you should be fine if your LOR's and EC's are spectacular.

I applied this year and had everything sent out September 4th this year. Got 7 interviews, 2 post-December that I declined and 5 pre-December. Got into 2 schools December 1st.

I had about 1,100 community service/volunteer, 115 shadowing and my DAT was very similar to yours:

18aa/19ts/20pat/19gc/19bio/18oc/19rc/16qr

My gpa was 3.81 and science was 3.79. I also attended a small school like you. Write a bomb PS, get great LOR's and have lots of EC's.

Awesome! See you got into Iu that's my state school and number one choice. Do you think there was anything in particular on your app they liked?

 

[deleted659902]

Aren't bio and TS pretty important sections to adcoms? Personally, I'd retake.

 

[smeagol3]

Awesome! See you got into Iu that's my state school and number one choice. Do you think there was anything in particular on your app they liked?

For that particular interview I remember getting compliments on my PS from both my interviewers. They also liked that I was able to work during school and still maintain good grades. I also have a lot of experience working with underprivelaged kids. Those three things were the most talked about topics during my interview.

But overall for all my interviews, those three areas were greatly talked about, as well as my hobby in powerlifting.

I honestly believe you'll be good to go!

 

[BTR1208]

For that particular interview I remember getting compliments on my PS from both my interviewers. They also liked that I was able to work during school and still maintain good grades. I also have a lot of experience working with underprivelaged kids. Those three things were the most talked about topics during my interview.

But overall for all my interviews, those three areas were greatly talked about, as well as my hobby in powerlifting.

I honestly believe you'll be good to go!

Hey Bodybuilder here lol wondering if I should put that on my app anywhere.

Awesome yes I've worked full time all through college and done some volunteering with underprivileged as well.

Thanks a ton dude!

 

[flyingmonkey18]

Just make sure you apply early (June July)... timing is everything regardless of stats sometimes

 

[smeagol3]

Hey Bodybuilder here lol wondering if I should put that on my app anywhere.

Awesome yes I've worked full time all through college and done some volunteering with underprivileged as well.

Thanks a ton dude!

I tied the powerlifting stuff into my personal statement. That's the only place I mentioned it.
Just tie hard work and patience and such with it, that's what I did.

Yeah your experiences sound similar to mine. You'll be fine man! But get your stuff in sooner before I even did.

 

[darknightzzz]

I honestly believe you should buckle down to study more (bootcamp, Destroyer, qvault, crack the dat) to raise ur AA and TS to at least 20 after a retake.

though like many other people say your stats is okay, it is not high to catch attention (aka first round of interviews, which may result in longer waiting, more stress, more anxiety, interview for waitlist, and wait to get in from waitlist).

if u manage to get ur DAT to 21+, you will land a lot of early interviews for sure.

 

[customx]

Honestly I've had the odds against me since day 1. I've had to bust my ass in school and life to be where I'm at today. I have one state school (Indiana) but would be happy going anywhere. Applying to Midwestern, nova, Lecom, etc.

My stats are average at my state school. I would love to go there because of the cost but realize it may or may not work out and I may have to pay more. Specifically which schools should I have on my list?

Thanks everybody!

I'm right there with you. I already completed my undergrad and went back to school for over 3 years while working full-time in order to take all my pre-reqs. I've also been totally financial independent since I was 19, paying for every dollar of school, rent, and all other costs that come along. If you have worked this hard, why not push yourself one more time and take the DAT to increase you chances of getting into school that you're really interested in. You say that you will be fine with any school, but I can assure you can you will change your mind once you go on some interviews. There was one school that I interviewed and was accepted at that I would absolutely not attend, even if it was my only acceptance. I would have rather reapplied.

You've taken the exam, so the second time around should be a bit easier. I'm not sure what your resources were, but Chads Videos, Destroyer, Kaplan blue book, Cliffs Notes for bio and Feralis' notes are pretty much all you need, as well as Bootcamp. Ultimately it's up to you, but why not give yourself the best chance possible to go to a school you will love and save some on tuition as well?

 

[molarbear9270]

I would retake. It's getting more and more competitive

 

[Ali786512]

I would honestly retake it. This process is so nerve racking and you want to calm yourself down knowing that you did your very best and you have a great GPA. You can study some more and retake and eliminate a less stellar DAT score by scoring higher. This is something that is in your control and you will do well with studying.

 

[fogorvostan]

I personally would retake. I got a 20 AA, but applied rather late (batch 10). Had 2 pre-December interviews, 1 December 1st acceptance, and now have 2 post-December interviews. My goal was only a 20 AA due to my circumstances surrounding me when I took it, but I really wish that I had the option to retake for a 22+. You have a lot of time between now and June.

 

[BTR1208]

Man. Sucks being so close. Guess I'm retaking in 90 days.

 

[BTR1208]

I am officially on a path of vengeance towards this test... Coming at it with razor blades and lemon juice 🙂

One more week rest then back at it...

 

[customx]

I am officially on a path of vengeance towards this test... Coming at it with razor blades and lemon juice 🙂

One more week rest then back at it...

You need a break just to relax and decompress. You scored well in the PAT and RC, so obviously try to focus on the sciences. Getting just a few more questions correct in each section is enough to bump up your score 2-3 points. It's time to learn all the small details which can really boost your scores.

What resources did you use? Listing those can help us give you some advice on how to prepare.

 

[BTR1208]

You need a break just to relax and decompress. You scored well in the PAT and RC, so obviously try to focus on the sciences. Getting just a few more questions correct in each section is enough to bump up your score 2-3 points. It's time to learn all the small details which can really boost your scores.

What resources did you use? Listing those can help us give you some advice on how to prepare.

Thank you!

I started a "vengeance rd2 DAT" thread...

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/dat-path-of-vengeance-need-guidance.1174028/

Thing is I had destroyer but never really used it. Chems I used Chad and BOOTCAMP. Bio was mainly bootcamp, Alan's notes, and I read through cliffs.

 

[customx]

Thank you!

I started a "vengeance rd2 DAT" thread...

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/dat-path-of-vengeance-need-guidance.1174028/

Thing is I had destroyer but never really used it. Chems I used Chad and BOOTCAMP. Bio was mainly bootcamp, Alan's notes, and I read through cliffs.

Here is my advice for the chemistry sections: Watch all of Chad's videos again. Use his outlines and take meticulous notes. I had a notebook filled with probably 30 pages of notes for both OC and GC. Any tiny little detail that he mentioned, I wrote it down. Then do all of the practice problems on the website. Now, to make sure you score a 20+, do EVERY single problem in Destroyer. When I was studying, I did about 40 problems a day for GC, 40 for OC, 40 for Bio and 40 for Math Destroyer. If you get at least half the questions correct your first time through the book then you're on the right path. When reviewing answers, make sure you not only understand why the correct answer is selected, but also why the other answers are wrong. In my opinion, that's what really helped me learn.

For Bio, try to use Feralis' notes. I used them more than two years ago, and I think he or she took the DAT a few months back and got a perfect score on the Bio section. If you put in the time and effort, you will kill the test the second go around. Best of luck