Applicant for 2005 cycle, seeking advise (please?)

[Red823]

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Hi guys,

I'm a newbie and am planning to apply for dental school next application cycle for class of 2009. I just recently took my DAT and well, I'm not completely satisfied with my scores, particularly my PAT. I'm worried if it will hurt my chances of admissions so I'm hoping you guys who have been through the road can help shed some light on whether or not I should retake the DAT or not. The following are my stats:

Cumulative GPA: 3.98
Science GPA: 3.99
DAT score: AA 24 TS 23 PAT 16mad: )

Extracurricular activities: volunteer at Children's Hospital, prenatal clinic for underpriviledged community, American Red Cross

Research: about two years with two publications and several fellowships and academic distinctions

Dental experience: 6+ years in a dental clinic

Planning to apply to: UCLA, UCSF, USC, UOP, UPenn, Colombia, Tufts, Arizona, and maybe Harvard for the heck of it.

First choice: UCLA

So, given my stats what do you guys think are my chances of admission? Should I retake the DAT to improve on my PAT? Please, help me!

Thanks guys !

 

[Zurich5]

Red,

Your stats are very, very, very good. I don't think you'll need to take the DAT again, unless any of those schools have a PAT requirement which I?m not aware of. Otherwise, relax, you're well on your way to becoming a D1.

 

[3rdMolarRoller]

Come on man...I'm not usually nasty on here but why the hell do you ask such a stupid question???

Can you get in...you are either BSing with those stats and if not I congratulate you on your achivements. If those numbers are true, expect a few scholarships to go with those acceptances

 

[busupshot83]

are you for real kid? look at those killer stats man.

 

[UBTom]

to Red803:

You sure you want to apply to dental school?

If I was in your shoes, I'd forget about dental school and apply to NASA's Astronaut Training Program instead.

 

[Red823]

Thanks guys for the vote of confidence!

The only reason for my worries is cuz my friends think I should try to improve on my PAT score just to enhance my chances because who knows what could happen during the application process. I'm really not trying to show off or flaunt my scores. If anyone feels that I've offended you in anyway please accept my sincere apology. I just really want to hear from you guys who have been through the apps process and would know more about it than me.

In addition, my first choice is UCLA and from what I've heard (please correct the rumors if I am wrong) that they put an emphasis on the PAT score. I even called the admissions office to ask for their opinion and they say that the low PAT score may raise a few flags because after all schools want consistency across the board. I still have until end of May early June until my 90 days wait is up so I just want to decide soon on whether or not to retake it so that I can still have time to TRY and improve on the PAT. Any suggestions as to how to do that?

Again I appreciate all help!!!

-Red

 

[medius]

with scores like yours, I think the pat is really irrelevent

 

[The Musketeer]

I even called the admissions office to ask for their opinion and they say that the low PAT score may raise a few flags because after all schools want consistency across the board.

Your GPA of 3.98 and science 3.99 will make the dental admissions offices burn down those caution flags! They will even beg you to go to their school! Since you have a remarkable GPA, even if you do average on your interview you will get in!

Which school and year are you in and what program are you majoring in?

 

[Red823]

UBTOM- haha if NASA knows how much I hate physics they would sure kick my behind out the door

Medius- so I take it don't retake the DAT?

The Musketeer- I actually already graduated in 2003 with my Bachelor of Science from Univ of Calif, Irvine, and majored in Biology. I took a year off just doing some random teaching assignments...in other words, been wasting my time That's why I want to start back on track right.

Thanks for your input everyone!

-Red

 

[JRogoff]

Dude, who is this PAT guy you keep on talking about???















Don't bother taking the DAT again, it will be a waist of time, money and possibly a nice sunny day!

 

[gryffindor]

Originally posted by Red823
I just recently took my DAT and well, I'm not completely satisfied with my scores, particularly my PAT. I'm worried if it will hurt my chances of admissions...

What score will it take to satisfy yourself and make you not worry about your chances? If it's not a 16, then take it again. Only you can decide what score will give you the "ohmygosh, i might have a chance of admission" feeling.

Duh.

 

[Thaxil]

I'm worried if it will hurt my chances of admissions

Cumulative GPA: 3.98
Science GPA: 3.99
DAT score: AA 24 TS 23 PAT 16( )

Please shut up. You have nothing to worry about.

 

[blankguy]

Originally posted by Thaxil
Please shut up. You have nothing to worry about.

You should tell him to boost his GPA in order to have a shot at dental school

 

[DrNo2000]

You are screwed! With those scores and your GPA I highly doubt you will get to any dental school!! *laughing* I have to agree with Brocnizer2007, ?why the hell do you ask such a stupid question????


But seriously?I don?t think you should re-take the DAT. First of all, you sound like an intelligent person, so why in the hell would you want to go through all the stress again?! Second, one or two points that you might add to your PAT is not worth risking your AA and TS. I went through the same thing last summer and I?m glad I didn?t re-take the test. Third, the selection factor is not solely based on your GPA and DAT. Schools look at many different things, like your essay, your extracurricular activities, research experience and etc. You have all that covered too, so you really have nothing to worry about. Quit sweating.

Just make sure you have your application in by June 1st. I can?t emphasize on that enough! Some of those schools like UCLA, UOP, UCSF fill up very fast. So, applying early would be a great advantage to you.

And BTW, don?t apply to Harvard just for "the heck of it"! Only apply if you really think you would go there for dental school.

 

[The Musketeer]

Second, one or two points that you might add to your PAT is not worth risking your AA and TS.

Hey, maybe if Red retake the DAT he might get 29s or 30s on AA and TS! You never know, this guy is a genius!

 

[aphistis]

Originally posted by Thaxil
Please shut up. You have nothing to worry about.

Concur. Not to bag TOO heavily on your much-vaunted intelligence here, but if you can't get into dental school with an application like that, who, in the name of all that's holy and good, do you think could?

 

[spooky42]

red,


I had similar stats ( maybe not as good), with a 17 on PAT and got into my top choices. Your gonna have no problem at all.

 

[Red823]

I take it from the responses that the answer to my query is "What the hell are you thinking? = Don't take the DAT again"

Phew! What a relief. I trust you guys most definitely since you've been through it all and have been successful at it.

Guess what I have to do now is to touch up on my Dental personal statement and be ready to send out my apps once the next cycle rolls around.

Thanks so much to everyone who responded to my question!!!!

--Red

 

[The Musketeer]

Take your time with the application essay, you still have several months before AADSAS begins accepting applications! Get someone to proofread it for you. For me, I had made about seven revisions to the essay before I was satisfied with it. It was difficult to try to get everything you want the adcom to hear in less than 1000 words.

 

[RaiderNation]

If you take the DAT again...I think Dental Schools should automatically disqualify you from the prospective student pool for making such a stupid decision.

 

[init4damoney]

Originally posted by RaiderNation
If you take the DAT again...I think Dental Schools should automatically disqualify you from the prospective student pool for making such a stupid decision.

dido

 

[Woodsy]

dude the only advice i have for you is to APPLY EARLY because you WILL have interviews almost immediately and you WILL GET IN FOR SURE by Dec 1st. Make sure you submit your app in July/Aug.

DOn't make the same mistake I made by handing it in late b/c i thought i had to wait for my DAT scores. I got very lucky there were still spots left.

With your stats you should get in no problem even if you apply late but why bother doing so when you already have all your academic info (GPA and DAT).

 

[Red823]

Thanks guys,

I'm working on my personal statement right now. Have a very rough draft of it done but I am not satisfied. WHat sort of things do the adcoms look for in the personal statement?

ALso, I've been browsing through the application onine at AADSAS. In the section where you put in the course you took and the grade, what if you can't find the exact code/name for the class you took? how do you come around that?

--Red

 

[The Musketeer]

Usually, the essay is used as a medium to express something to the adcom that cannot be found in other parts of your application, for example, why do you desire to pursue a career in dentistry?

The essay also provides adcom an opportunity to get a general view of your character, as well as a gauge of your maturity and ability to handle the rigors of dental school and the dental profession.

However, since there is no set guideline for the essay (other than word limit), therefore, there is really no right or wrong way in writing this essay. What I have given you are my personal suggestions and you should not restrict your yourself to only these ideas. Just write whatever you want the adcom to know about you!

For the courses, you can usually categorize the class by its course title or course description that are found in the 'course calendar'. If there is no specific code for your class, just fit it into the general category for that subject (ie: general chemistry).

Hope that helps!

 

[Red823]

Thanks The Musketeer!

Your advice is very sound! I also have another question for you and for anyone else who may be reading this. Is it to your benefit or detriment if you write a "creative" personal statement? I've heard arguments for both sides saying: a creative personal statement will definitely make an impression considering the thousands personal statements the adcoms must read/skim through, or that too creative personal statement might be lost on the adcoms since they don't have the time to figure out what you're trying to say and that it may not sound as genuine or be a sign of maturity.

What do you guys think? Yes or no on making it a bit creative

--Red

 

[PERFECT3435]

this thread is really funny.

doesn't Red remind you guys of Jaap? 31's and 32's across the boeard on the DAT with a killer GPA and he was worried before Dec1st


Red, i said this to Jaap and i say it to you as well. if any of those schools doesn't accept you, you should think about taking them to court.