I would really appreciate your advice

This is not one of your ordinary what are my chances post w a 3.9 GPA and a 28 DAT. I would really appreciate experienced opinions from people about my chances to get in to D- School.

I took the DAT and got Bio/GC/OC/TS/AA/RC/QR/PAT 18/21/21/20/20/25/16/15

I have a 3.8 cGPA/3.7 sGPA. I sent out the app. before I took my DAT and was hoping that I would pull 20 + on all areas. But unfortunately I don't know what happened and it is what it is. (So plz don't bash me on the schools that I applied to)

I applied so far to UoP, UPenn, MWU-IL, UIC, SIU, Howard, Meharry, Tufts, UMich, Harvard (y don't ask), NYU, and Marquette. Do you think I have any realistic chances to get in. I know that I might need to retake the DAT, but a late November retake seems nothing but useless at this point.

Do you think I need to add any schools to my list? I was told by others that maybe UDM or Indiana would be good additions..but it'll take another 2-3 weeks to add new schools. Initial app. was sent out on 8/13.

I would really appreciate if someone could provide some detailed feedback.

Thanks, this is why I love SDN 🙂

You have a good GPA and rocked several important sections on the DAT, which is really good!

At this point, if you have the money to add a few schools, do it because like you said a DAT retake would put you late into the application cycle. If the rest of your application is pretty solid, I don't think your chances of landing an interview should be that bad, but who really knows!


Look on the (possible) bright side of lowish DAT scores, if you don't get in because of them, studying and retaking it and doing well is much much easier than bringing up your GPA at this point. Hang in there👍

Doc has posted this list that might help you selecting/adding a couple of more schools to you list:

http://more.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=759683&highlight=doc+toothache

good luck

You have a great GPA, solid AA and TS but a 15 in your PAT.

Some schools have a minimum for each section of their DAT. So If I were you, I would call each of them up, or look at their website for that information.

From your List, I don't think you have a chance for UoP, Harward and NYU.

As far as Haward and Meharry, are you a member of a visible minority?

Your PAT is the weakest link there. Focus on that if you're going to retake. I wouldn't bother with a retake though because I'm sure you are going to get some interviews with your GPA and AA.

Seriously, don't worry about your stats. At this point you need to worry about your interviews and secondaries. People with great GPAs and DAT scores don't get into dental school every year because their personal statement and secondaries are weak and they bomb the interview.

If you've got the money, go for the applicaton.

I can't help but feel like the PAT is a pretty important component but if you get rejected at least you'll know where you need to improve because the rest of your stuff looks great.

PS, I'm not making fun of you because you're right, this isn't the typical "I have a 3.9/29, do you think I can get in?" thread, but I could help but chuckle when you followed that with "I have a 3.8". Lol

Whether you go for it this year or up your PAT I'm pretty sure you'll get in one of these two cycles - Good luck!

I agree with most replies, all your other stats are solid but the PAT part of the DAT. Just weed out any schools that have absolute minimums on the PAT section.

As for applying to Harvard, my friend made a good point the other day about that. Even if you don't think you have a good shot, it might be good to apply there because all the other schools will see that you applied there, and may hold you in higher regard, so not a bad idea!

Good luck

personally i would have to disagree with the advice thats being said on this thread. my advice is to buy crackdatpat and retake the test. you wont be getting a pre december invite or early acceptance but u will be very competitive compared to the other ppl who are applying in the later stages, so ultimately you will still get those interviews

a 15 pat really is a weak link, and as much as schools might like you and want to give u a benefit of the doubt, they have to follow the requirements they set. i dont know any schools that let ppl in with such a low pat

if u add more schools now u are just wasting money. why not retake the dat, and then add the schools then, that way they only receive your updated application and cant reject you before your new scores are sent

in all honesty though this is hardly the worst of dilemnas. you just wont be getting accepted early, but all you have to do is purchase crackdatpat and go through that, review all your other dat stuff, and ur good to go

I know the list of schools posted by doc has the figures from the ADA. But does anyone know any schools that I might have a reasonable shot at getting into from experience or from knowledge of other applicants?