When2008 Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 So here goes, after much debate whether to seek or help or not. It is time that I do. I have been pursuing dentistry ever since grade 8, yes thats correct. This is my dream for a very long. I have done everything there is to be a good applicant. Good grades, medical research, clubs, ECs, anything and everything you can think of. My GPA is around a 89% ~3.8. I have taken the DAT about 5 times. Yes thats correct, This February DAT will be my sixth time. I have applied and got rejected to dental school for over three years. How you suppose someone with my GPA and awards/scholarships, research, publication!!!!, good personality not get in. Well here it is: I have SEVERE anxiety issues when it comes to the DAT. I go blank. My hands tremor/shake/everything you think of. I know this material inside and out. heck I could instruct my own DAT prep course, what materials, what sources to use, I could do it all, but not for myself because I freeze. I need help. I don't know who to ask. I live alone here, I dont know if I could discuss this with my friends or anyone else. I feel that I have lost and now its time I should move on but I cant. I don't want to do a masters or change careers just because I cannot get over the DAT. I have had major exams in university, DAT is no different but I dont know why I cannot get over this. I have cried every single day thinking that all my years of hardwork have gone down the drain, my dreams are slipping away, I am getting lonliner every day because I am petrified of three letters..D-A-T. I can tell you that the content of the DAT has stayed similar throughout these years. The material is very doable. You dont need to be a phD in this material to get 20+ in each section. I have done all the hardwork there is to know the material. I am not dumb, or how would I have gotten such a high GPA (Toronto)? I go home after each Feb/Nov. Exam and cry and I know majority of the answers but yet I cant seem to put them on the scantron. After putting this out there, I really hope you dont say something like "just give up dude" or "move on" or "maybe this isnt for you". Please I am looking for a person who can tell me what I need to do to be mentally prepared, to get over this fear, to conquer this battle. Just any advice would be great. I know of my class fellows who started off with me, now they are in second/third year of dental school. I am here, stuck here... my life is not the same anymore. Please help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celeron_266 Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 what were your scores? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
When2008 Posted January 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 Carving: 9 Bio: 18 Chem: 19 PAT 13 RC:17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
When2008 Posted January 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 with those I dont even stand a chance at american schools. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easygoing Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 from my understanding UofT don't care about carving.... so if you can improve your PAT you have a good chance of getting in. Don't give up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arnie Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 Don't sound so hopeless, When. You're not lost at sea. Not by a long shot. What's your weakness? You already know it. It seems that you can't help but get nervous, and it's a real paralyzing fear. Your DAT score is a solid start. You have great grades, ECs, publications, etc, so there's very little holding you back. What you need to do is overcome that fear of facing the DAT. Do more Test-day simulation. Go to a center/ big classroom (preferably the actual center), and if you can, take someone along with you, like a few friends. Have them set you up as if its the real DAT. Ask them to put on their proctor face and voice, and make things seem real. Tell them to do all the annoying things that pre-dental students do on test day. Like BRAG about how easy they think the test is. Get used to distractions, and soon, they won't exist. The more you get representative exposure to test day, the less you'll feel afraid. Secondly, believe in yourself! Have confidence! When I wrote the DAT, I walked in, looked at the class with my arrogant punk face on, and thought "look alive suckers, cuz I'm gonna get the best score in the city." I was just psyching myself up. (Normally I'm very modest and like helping other people however I can- IMHO ). You know your weakness and shared it with us, "I have SEVERE anxiety issues when it comes to the DAT. I go blank. My hands tremor/shake/everything you think of." Now take the steps needed to overcome this. If there's anything else you need, feel free to ask us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
When2008 Posted January 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 God Bless all of you. I am extremely devastated watching years of my life slip away because of this pursuit. I have talked to my physician about getting an anti-anxiety drugs, however, I have heard that it makes your hands tremble (?) I was thinking about using that but maybe after the carving section. I have covered all the prep material there is. Believe me when I say this. I probably have everything you need for the American and Canadian DAT. I mean everything. So this time, come Feb. I am going to follow this advice Arnie, going in with an arrogant punk face (I, like you, am not at all arrogant) but trying to put up a face, or have that confidence is the real deal. I have done preparing for all sections for Feb DAT. I am going to do simulation DATs for the next couple of weeks which is an awesome idea. By the time I hit the reading comprehension section on test day, I am totally out of it. I either see blank pages or I seem to forget the language, English, it seems like gibberish to me. I have guessed my way through on the passages, offcourse based on prior knowledge. Thanks you guys for your comments. I really feel that this was a good idea. I cant even discuss this with my close friends because I feel like they all know me for an over-achiever, perfectionist.. well in reality I am a total mess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koft Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 Maybe you should try going to a doc and get a script for lorazepam or some beta blocker to calm your anxiety and reduce the tremor. Okay kidding aside. Have you ever got an interview before? If no, then you know what you need to work on is the DAT (PAT likely, many schools don't care about carving). If yes, then it is your analytical skill on the questions given during the interview. I am going to be blunt. I do empathize your effort and dedication. However, you have to have some backup plan as well. Sorry to say what happen if you fail your 6th or 7th times? (I hope not) What are you going to do? As well, if you get so nervous with high stake exam. What about the board when you need to grad from dental school? Just food for thought. Good luck buddy. ________ MEDICAL MARIJUANA NEWS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigzinc10 Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 When2008, sorry to hear about your fear of the DAT. Have you tried various relaxation techniques....ie. meditation, prayer, deep breathing.. Personally, I feel very anxious before a test, but just like Arnie (i think), I step into the room feeling confident in what I know and that I have prepared well enough...believe that you are the best and that you want to do well for you, no one else. Maybe you do poorly because of the time constraints associated with each of the sections? I'm sure all of us could do much better in each of the sections if given just a bit more time. Try having a timer or watch with you and pacing yourself and start practicing mock tests under timed conditions. I hope this Feb you "rock the DAT"! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
When2008 Posted January 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 Thanks all you guys for the responses. I am really glad that good people like you take the time to help. Arnie-I am going to go down to the center where I am writing the exam, and simulate the distractions Koft-I did get the prescription for Lorazepam, however, it has side effects like being woozy/dizzy and I do feel sleepy after taking it so maybe I should lay off that. But good advice to consider that. About the board exams and DAT....yeah thats something I did think about a lot. I have applied for masters programs and hoping that my anxiety issues will be dealt with after that? maybe?I am going ahead aimlessly in my opinion. So I better shape up. Bigzinc-thanks for the kind wishes. I have a stop watch and do the practice tests under timed conditions. Do you have any strategies for doing well on multiple choice?? Maybe that is where I get lost. Thanks everyone here. I am very glad that I got some good people with awesome suggestions here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arnie Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 Always happy to help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bright_Smile Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 When, Did you know that you can write the DAT under a special catagory? If you can verify your anxiety disorder with a doctor, then you will be eligible to write the DAT privately (or with very few people), and also receive extra time in each section. Best of luck. Keep at it, because dreams do come true! You can do it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllSmiles Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 Also depending on where you want to go you may want to focus more on trying to increase your RC score. UWO only looks at RC and AA and UT doesn't look at the carving. So depending where you live or want to go, I would try to focus more on that section to get it at least 19. I've written the Canadian one 3 times and U.S. 2 times...so it's nothing to be ashamed of. Also, the DAT expires after a while for some schools so make sure you look into that...I had to rewrite the Canadian one a third time since my best scores were over 2 years old. Even though I love reading, when I get to the reading section of the DAT the words tend to all blur together for me as well. I think in order to focus you should make sure you get a good break before that section, drink a little water or something to refresh yourself, have a little snack with some protein and carbs. And then when you have to come back in and write the RC section focus all your attention on the sentences. I wear earplugs so that I don't become distracted from misc. noise. Also I use my finger to trace the lines so that I focus on the words and it helps to focus on key terms (which you should circle so you can find them easier later on). Hope that helps a little Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
When2008 Posted January 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 I am overwhelmed with the outpouring of support from you all. I am so glad no one passed any negative comments and gave me the true and unbiased opinion. Thanks so much. Its good to know there are pre-/dental students like yourself out here! Bright-Smile: I wasnt aware of the special accomodations procedure. I would need a doctor's prove and it would have had to be submitted 3 months in advance. I guess I missed that deadline. If I have to do it again, which I really hope I dont.. I might pursue that route. I would really feel bad for doing that though but I guess if I am diagnosed with this disorder, which most likely I will, then I might consider it. AllSmiles: thats an awesome idea. Did you use any prep books? Thanks everyone. Iwill keep you posted on how this goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arnie Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 I am overwhelmed with the outpouring of support from you all. I am so glad no one passed any negative comments and gave me the true and unbiased opinion. Thanks so much. Its good to know there are pre-/dental students like yourself out here! Bright-Smile: I wasnt aware of the special accomodations procedure. I would need a doctor's prove and it would have had to be submitted 3 months in advance. I guess I missed that deadline. If I have to do it again, which I really hope I dont.. I might pursue that route. I would really feel bad for doing that though but I guess if I am diagnosed with this disorder, which most likely I will, then I might consider it. AllSmiles: thats an awesome idea. Did you use any prep books? Thanks everyone. Iwill keep you posted on how this goes. Even if you need to re-write in Nov, I don't think it will be a big deal as long as you can get that "Doctors note". Nov is usually ok for getting your scores in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koft Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 There are always special accomodations for medical reason.. My classmate got to write the board in a seperate room and extra time..... to be fair or unfair to others.. oh well. good luck. ________ Chevrolet corvette c5-r specifications Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbqfish Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 i know what u mean when ur whole body trembles. last yr, i had my first dental school interview at the school of my first choice. my body just would not stop trembling. and english is not my first language, so with such fear in my mind, my interview went horrible. (not even waitlisted despite good gpa, ref letter, research..etc) then 2 other schools interviewed me during my final exam period in april. I was so busy cramming for my finals that I didn't even have the time to worry about those interviews. And they went a lot better than the first one. My third interview actually had 4 questions that were identical to the first interview, so i told myself, hey, i know how to answer this. just answer with confidence. and now i m in this third school. don't let ur worry haunt u! i suggest u take DAT prep class, not just to learn the material inside out, but more for the mock exams. and when u read the questions, if u are stuck, don't worry. jump to a question that u actually know and reassure urself u can do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllSmiles Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 I like the IQ publications books Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mare Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 Hey, I haven't read through all the replies, but here's my 2 cents... I think you're building the DAT up to be some hugely insurmountable task that will make or break your application to Dental school. It won't. It is one thing they look at, and it's not even the most important thing! Perhaps you can calm yourself down by pretending the DAT is totally insignificant, just some measly thing you have to do. Or, take it as a challenge to just do your best -don't even think about scores. (P.S. You do NOT have to get scores of 25 to get into Dentistry!) Other than that, try to have a good interview and you'll be golden Good luck! Mare Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wisdom_tooth Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 You do have a solid GPA, I definately think that you have a shot at UWO if you increase your reading comp score. I had the same score, when I wrote it last February. I wouldn't worry too much, if I were you I'd keep re-writing and re-applying until I get in. Perseverance and patience do pay-off good luck -WT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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