Is a 21 AA enough to show strength in academics? It seems that everyone is striving for a 22-24+ AA even though I thought a 21 was still competitive. And I feel as though scores are getting better and better every year. Starting to lose a little faith in my score and even considering a retake because it doesn't seem competitive in today's time...
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21 AA DAT, Is this good enough?
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the DAT is a standardized test, and the average matriculant changes only slightly each year
21 is still above the national average matriculant
everyone is striving for 22-24, but statistically not many make it
the process is not only about DAT scores, GPA, PS, LORs, and interviews are all weighed too
You are right at the 50% -60% percentile of all the applicant. It's decent; In terms of competitiveness, you are definitely competitive if you are choosing a mid-level school or some private schools.
How's your GPA?
A 21AA is around the 83rd percentile of all test-takers in 2017 (found here on page 20 http://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Education and Careers/Files/dat_users_manual.ashx)
My GPA is currently a 3.7, science GPA is 3.5. I've been trying to shoot for places such as BU or UPenn, is that too much of a stretch? 🙁
Hopefully you have a copy of the ADEA Official Guide/Dental School Explorer available. DAT 20+ scores across the board is a desirable result, but no guarantee for interviews by themselves. I think the Ivy-brand dental schools are looking at higher GPA's than what you have, but it's not impossible if you have reached out to those schools. You also don't disclose here your other activities.
Understand the DAT is a scaled exam so the meaning of your score compared to overall percentiles of test-takers shouldn't change. Don't compare yourself too much to the gunners on the forums. But I would not consider a retake unless one of my subscores is under 17, especially on PAT or sciences.
You're sitting pretty well actually! You'll just have to research your schools and pick them wisely based on their DAT and GPA!
I think the ADEA OG shows this, and it has been my experience as well. Midrange of applicants usually centers around 20. 21 is still quite good for most schools, and you see the average at many schools is around 21.
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Average DAT for acceptance is a 20.5, so a 21 is above average.
The SDN average is like 26 AA, so that's probably what skews your perspective. In reality, you're fine.
The SDN average is like 26 AA, so that's probably what skews your perspective. In reality, you're fine.
Only 26? Thought it was 31
