7/21 dat done!! Advice please!

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Dentisthopeful7

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First off let me thank everyone on SDN. Although this is my first post I have been lurking around this site for the last two weeks desperately looking for study tips. Everyones posts have been a huge help and I wanted to put this up to do whatever I can to help.

PAT - 20
QR - 19
RC-21
BIO-18 (definately was not happy with this 😡)
GC - 20
OC - 21
TS - 19
AA - 20

I started studying about mid may around 3-4hrs a day. then 3 weeks before my test I started doing 6 hrs a day. Finally the last 10 days I probably did anywhere between 8 - 10 hrs a day. I would get up at 7 and study for 4 hr intervals till 11pm. I used KBB, CDP, DESTROYER, TOPSCORE, AP BARRONS BIO.

PAT - All I did for this section was CDP and topscore. overall CDP was pretty accurate to the real thing. I was getting 19's - 21's on pretty much all the practice test I did.

QR - this section was pretty straight forward. I did the math sections in the destroyer book and whatever was on the topscore section. I spent 3 days studying for this section and in retrospect I probably would have spent another 5 or 6 days. It is not that hard at all and over 20 is very possible.

RC - I am an Anthropology major so reading is pretty much what I did for all my anthro classes. This section was definately a time cruch, I was getting 29's on topscore and I though I had gotten a 28-29 on this one.

BIO - I was definately disappointed with this section. there were a wide variety of questions and I got hit with plants pretty good. Also got a couple of phylum questions. I went through KBB, MCAT bio book, DAT destroyer. Destroyer was a little overboard but it definatley helped. I also had the AP barrons bio book, but I didnt look over the whole thing. For those of you who havent taken it yet, you should definatley just look over the AP book 4-5 times. If you know this book like the back of your hand a 20 + is definatley possible.

GC - I used chads video (huge help!!!), read the KBB gchem section and did destroyer. overall questions were very straight forward. I had a lot of calculation on my exam but nothing overboard. Know your gas laws and baisci trends and molecular geometry.

O-CHEM - I thought this was the easiest section, I guess thats why its my highest score. I was horrible in O-chem all throughout colleg 2 C's, this section was very straight forward. I watched chads videos did destroyer, and read the KBB. I though I was going to score alot higher in this section but I will take what I can get. Look over flashcards and read Dr. romanos road maps that should be enough to get you a 18 alone.

topscore
pat/QR/RC/BIO/GC/OC/TS/AA
18/17/29/16/16/17/16/19
18/18/21/17/17/19/18/18
18/20/29/17/16/17/17/20
-CLEARLY i was not feeling good about taking the exam. the DAT is definately easier than the practice test (EXCEPT FOR BIO) but overall the scores wont increase dramatically.

I put this up here because I know there are alot of super high scores that can be discouraging. But I was able to do ok, by making sure I knew the basics. If i could go back and do it again ( which I am considering!) I would study extremely hard for GC and O-chem, super high scores in these sections is definatley possible. Bio will be random no matter what so dont waste 1 month like I did for 1 section and have it be your lowest score. I would watch chad's videos first then do all of destroyer 2x. and definatley don't underestimate the QR section, its not the toughest thing in the world but going in without practice is suicide.

oGPA - 3.22, sGPA 3.0, non-science GPA 3.6
I am applying to NYU, BU, TEMPLE, Florida, nova and 5 others. I would appreciate any advice. I know my GPA is really low but I have shadowed a dentist for 2 years, volunteered in an orthodontistry and periodontistry clinic, I am part of a research project on campus and have been published on a poster. I am also a member of ADSAS on campus and I was able to get 4 ( hopefully strong) letter of recommendation. I would appreciate any advice like which schools to apply to and anything I can do at this point to better my chances. Also I was considering retaking the exam in october but how would I let the schools know that I am retaking the exam or would october be too late and I would have gotten the decisions by then?
 
Lemme be the first one to Congratulate you..

these score should certainly get u some interviews....
 
I personally think your GPA is gonna hold you back from getting interviews, but that's just me.
 
dont listen to lmaozedong1.
Those scores are really good and def enough to get you interviews somewhere. good luck!!!
 
If i could go back and do it again ( which I am considering!) I would study extremely hard for GC and O-chem, super high scores in these sections is definatley possible.

This is what I did! I can't believe more people do not think of this strategy. All 5 sections count equally towards AA, so try to max out a few. Also GC and OC are the easiest, so why not crush those?
 
your science gpa is on on the low side, however your DAT scores are solid ranging 19-21. with the extra curricular activities i am sure you will get some interviews.
 
His sGPA is a 3.0, dude...


Yea, I definately know where my GPA stands. Thats why I was hoping to get higher on the exam. I figured an above average DAT would help with my below average GPA. I can definately explain my grades if given the interview. mostly those grades are from freshman year so my GPA trend over the last two years has been good. This is why I was wondering if I wanted to retake would it be better for me to apply and let the schools know or is it pointless to apply in this cycle?
 
You are average on the DAT and below avarage on the GPA, if you have strong extracurricular, LORs and a well written personal statement, then i don't see why you wouldn't get any interviews.
Good luck to you!
 
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