3.7 GPA and 17 AA - should I even bother to apply?

[blankman321]

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so I took the DAT today and needless to say I am not pleased

19 PAT
19 Reading
19 math
17 bio
15 gc
17 oc
17 AA

I am CA resident and I have a 3.7 GPA (with summer classes)
getting bachelor's next spring
lots of ECs and volunteer activities

I am so depressed about the scores considering I have postponed the test twice already and my score still sucks

I am applying to all of the CA schools, UNLV, AT Still, Midwestern, and OHSU, and Roseman.

any advice appreciated, really feeling down now.

 

[Conflagration]

Hello. 🙂

Good news- the GPA is solid. ECs are also pretty good from what I can tell and I'm assuming these ECs are helping you get some solid LoRs.

Bad news- that DAT, man...

You already know that. But there's better news- you have the time to do that. And since your GPA is pretty much sterling, all you really have to focus on is that test.

And that's all it is, man. Breathe. It's a jerk on the test center's computer screen. But it's just questions.

The scores you got suggest to me that you have some test anxiety or you had a bad day. And both happen.

Best of luck to you. ^^

 

[InterproximalDK]

My advice would be to drop OHSU, add LECOM, NYU. Do some research and add as many schools as you can-ones without DAT cutoffs. If you apply broadly you might come out of it with an offer. I would recommend studying and retaking in Jan or Feb. that way you can cancel if you end up getting in, its too late to retake this cycle in my opinion, especially if you just got your scores you would have to wait three months I think. Good luck.

I was one of those people who had to retake and reapply, its really not the end of the world if you have to do that, but you have a better chance of getting in than I did my first cycle.

 

[Koalafied]

so i took the dat today and needless to say i am not pleased

19 pat
19 reading
19 math
17 bio
15 gc👎
17 oc
17 aa

i am ca resident and i have a 3.7 gpa👍 (with summer classes)
getting bachelor's next spring
lots of ecs👍 And volunteer activities👍

I am so depressed👎 about the scores considering i have postponed the test twice already and my score still sucks

i am applying to all👍 Of the ca schools, unlv👍, at still👍, midwestern👍, and ohsu, and roseman👍.

Any advice appreciated, really feeling down now.

8:2, you win! : )

GL!

 

[Blake1e]

Sorry to hear about your score. It sounds like you worked hard too. I think that 15 will disqualify you from many schools. Call every school you are interested in and ask what they think.

My recommendation is to prepare for a retake and do it around the end of winter break. Figure out what went wrong and how you could improve your studying methods.

After I got a low score on my 1st time taking the DAT I felt the same way. Use that feeling to motivate you to kick the DAT's butt the next time around like I did.

 

[asne0407]

I would call the schools you are really interested in and talk to them about your scores and see what advice they give you. If you are applying to all the Cali schools I think some of them have 17 cutoffs so look into those and save your money where you can. Also look at doctoothache's guides for dental schools who don't have cutoffs and put your money there. I agree that I think you might get an offer if you apply to the right schools.

 

[blankman321]

My advice would be to drop OHSU, add LECOM, NYU. Do some research and add as many schools as you can-ones without DAT cutoffs. If you apply broadly you might come out of it with an offer. I would recommend studying and retaking in Jan or Feb. that way you can cancel if you end up getting in, its too late to retake this cycle in my opinion, especially if you just got your scores you would have to wait three months I think. Good luck.

I was one of those people who had to retake and reapply, its really not the end of the world if you have to do that, but you have a better chance of getting in than I did my first cycle.

I cant apply to NYU since I have more than one of the pre-req from a CC (ie both bios at a CC)

plus the next time I can retake is November 1st, is that too late for some schools?

 

[Papasmurf1234]

I would personally wait if you are talking about applying this cycle. AADSAS has already sent out its 6th batch today and even if you finish today you are looking to land in batch 7 - 13 once they've processed your application. On top of that, some schools will not review your application until you submit your new DAT scores.

 

[blankman321]

I would personally wait if you are talking about applying this cycle. AADSAS has already sent out its 6th batch today and even if you finish today you are looking to land in batch 7 - 13 once they've processed your application. On top of that, some schools will not review your application until you submit your new DAT scores.

the DAT scores are the only thing preventing my AADSAS application being complete.

 

[InterproximalDK]

I would personally wait if you are talking about applying this cycle. AADSAS has already sent out its 6th batch today and even if you finish today you are looking to land in batch 7 - 13 once they've processed your application. On top of that, some schools will not review your application until you submit your new DAT scores.

While it is an advantage to have your app completed early, SDN users obsess a little too much about batches. All I know is my scores were the last thing needed to complete my app, I tested mid Aug. scores were official and posted the first or second week of Sep no Idea what batch I was in. I scored a 19, not much better than the OP, still got a bunch of pre-Dec. invites. OP your scores will be official in a couple weeks, if you have a little extra jingle you might as well submit and see what happens it will be money well spent if you get an offer.

 

[blankman321]

sorry to keep bringing this up, but do you think USC, Western, Midwestern, and AT Still might read my app with this DAT score, or do you think they'll just throw my app away. should I add NOVA, Lecom, and Indiana?

also I checked UCSF which had specific requirements for DAT and said this

All applicants must have minimum Dental Admissions Test (DAT) scores of 17 in the Total Science and Academic Average sections.

 

[RUlaxin]

I'm actually shocked no one has mentioned Chad's videos.

OP, if you decide to retake definitely subscribe to Chad's videos. It seems you only need work on the science section and he really nails it home. I scored 20+ on each science section and pretty much owe it all to him. Check 'em out if you haven't already done so.

GL!

 

[blankman321]

I'm actually shocked no one has mentioned Chad's videos.

OP, if you decide to retake definitely subscribe to Chad's videos. It seems you only need work on the science section and he really nails it home. I scored 20+ on each science section and pretty much owe it all to him. Check 'em out if you haven't already done so.

GL!

here's the thing I used Chad's videos and for some reason alot of the questions didnt mirror what I saw on Chad's videos. I saw at least three questions that were not mentioned anywhere in his quizzes or videos.

 

[RUlaxin]

here's the thing I used Chad's videos and for some reason alot of the questions didnt mirror what I saw on Chad's videos. I saw at least three questions that were not mentioned anywhere in his quizzes or videos.

What else did you do besides Chad's?

I think it's probably impossible to expect that he will cover anything the DAT will throw at you, but needless to say there is a wealth of really great information. I went through his videos and quizzes twice in total, and several more times for concepts I was struggling with. If you search google for 'Alan's Notes', that helped me with important bio concepts, along with the AP Bio book. And would even use YouTube for things like photosynthesis and stuff like that.

Oh and I also did the DAT destroyer, but would not recommend that as it's not an accurate representation of the actual DAT. I would answer less than 50% of the questions correct and it was extremely discouraging.

 

[predentalgirl]

I know Midwestern "expects" an 18 on RC, PAT, TS, and AA. You got a 2/4 for that (I assume your TS would be a 16ish?)

Your GPA is really good.

I would say, try to retake. Use Chad's. I am in no way good at Ochem or GenChem, and using those videos got me a 20 and 23 respectively.

Bio, use Feralis Notes. I wish I looked at those notes more in detail. I hear they are amazing.

You seem okay in the non-science areas!

Don't stress too much. Stressing is the worst, it just makes you feel worse.

You'll be okay, don't worry!

 

[blankman321]

thanks predentalgirl, problem is by the time I retake it would be early November/late october. Im not sure even a good score would help.

do you think I might get into Western/AT still with these stats since they supposedly say that they take a holistic approach to the application.

 

[predentalgirl]

thanks predentalgirl, problem is by the time I retake it would be early November/late october. Im not sure even a good score would help.

do you think I might get into Western/AT still with these stats since they supposedly say that they take a holistic approach to the application.

I mean, if you ACE the DAT, they MIGHT consider you? Like make room for you for interviews. (Not sure, but I mean, if you rock the DAT, I don't see why they would want to leave out a 3.7 GPA candidate.) I say retake for sure. And knock it out of the ballpark. Like commit the rest of this summer to study. Maybe look at more forums to see if people with Oct/Nov DATs got any Apr/March acceptances.

For ASDOH, they want tons and tons of service. I initially applied to the school, and then never did the supplemental because I felt my 150-200 hours were lacking. If you have the service/volunteering (>200 at least IMO) go for it. I honestly don't know other schools that do this..

I would say all schools give a holistic approach? Maybe a few schools more than others.

 

[squigloo]

OP, I think you're going to have to weigh the options before you:

1) Don't retake, apply broadly to expensive privates, have a slim to okay chance at acceptance.

2) Retake in 3 months, have your chances reduced to almost 0 if you don't ace it, or have your chances improved slightly (because of the date) if you kill it.

3) Push back applying this year, retake the DAT, ace it (retake again if not), improve your application however you can.

Have you paid your aadsas fee and secondary fees? If so, you might as well see if you get in somewhere without the retake. Retaking at the last minute is far riskier, imo. If you haven't paid the fees, I would personally go with the third option, as having a solid dat and gpa will help you get into a cheaper school.

 

[blankman321]

OP, I think you're going to have to weigh the options before you:

1) Don't retake, apply broadly to expensive privates, have a slim to okay chance at acceptance.

2) Retake in 3 months, have your chances reduced to almost 0 if you don't ace it, or have your chances improved slightly (because of the date) if you kill it.

3) Push back applying this year, retake the DAT, ace it (retake again if not), improve your application however you can.

Have you paid your aadsas fee and secondary fees? If so, you might as well see if you get in somewhere without the retake. Retaking at the last minute is far riskier, imo. If you haven't paid the fees, I would personally go with the third option, as having a solid dat and gpa will help you get into a cheaper school.

by expensive privates you mean like USC, Western, midwestern, NYU, Lecom? and at these privates I would have a slim to okay chance at acceptance?

 

[Eastcoast24]

by expensive privates you mean like USC, Western, midwestern, NYU, Lecom? and at these privates I would have a slim to okay chance at acceptance?

Yes. Lecom is the cheapest out of all by the way. Around 50k tuition

 

[blankman321]

Yes. Lecom is the cheapest out of all by the way. Around 50k tuition

yeah I just noticed that yesterday, pretty cool. should I add Midwestern-Illinois, NOVA, Indiana, and AT Still in missouri? I am starting to freak out now, I originally had 10 schools in mind but with now my DAT score I'm starting to get desperate, all I need is an interview

 

[Eastcoast24]

yeah I just noticed that yesterday, pretty cool. should I add Midwestern-Illinois, NOVA, Indiana, and AT Still in missouri? I am starting to freak out now, I originally had 10 schools in mind but with now my DAT score I'm starting to get desperate, all I need is an interview

You already paid the AADSAS fees correct? If I were you I'd go ahead and apply to as many schools as I can this year. Add all of the private schools and OOS friendly schools. Schools you listed above look good. You should be applying to 20+ schools.

 

[blankman321]

You already paid the AADSAS fees correct? If I were you I'd go ahead and apply to as many schools as I can this year. Add all of the private schools and OOS friendly schools. Schools you listed above look good. You should be applying to 20+ schools.

yeah i got all of the CA schools (except LLU), UNLV, two AZ schools, LECOM, Midwestern-Ill, Indiana, NOVA, AT still kirksville, temple. Cant do BU, Tufts, NYU bc of CC credits.

 

[Eastcoast24]

yeah i got all of the CA schools (except LLU), UNLV, two AZ schools, LECOM, Midwestern-Ill, Indiana, NOVA, AT still kirksville, temple. Cant do BU, Tufts, NYU bc of CC credits.

I did all of my prerequisites at CC and applied to tufts. I emailed the admission people and they said that as long as you take upper level science courses to compensate you are eligible. Adcoms have to see your application at its entirety when making the decision.

Add roseman, USC, kentucky, louisville if possible.

 

[ctat1212]

Hey,
So I came across this thread and wanted some advice. I'm in almost the exact same boat as blankman321 with a 3.72 gpa and a 17 AA on the DAT. Just wondering if you ended up getting an interview? I'm very worried because I can't retake the DAT (it will be too late). I'm wondering if they take into consideration being a D1 student-athlete...if that would help my chances at all??

Thanks 🙁

 

[Eastcoast24]

Hey,
So I came across this thread and wanted some advice. I'm in almost the exact same boat as blankman321 with a 3.72 gpa and a 17 AA on the DAT. Just wondering if you ended up getting an interview? I'm very worried because I can't retake the DAT (it will be too late). I'm wondering if they take into consideration being a D1 student-athlete...if that would help my chances at all??

Thanks 🙁

apply to as many schools as you can ASAP

 

[ctat1212]

I applied to exactly 20 schools. So from what I'm hearing it takes at least a month from the time you submit the application to hearing back from anyone?
I submitted my applications August 1st.