Applying with DAT scores

[rdentir]

---

Members don't see this ad.

So, I was originally a pre-dental student but I've been influenced by family members who are also podiatrist. I have already taken the DAT and I believe Barry, Temple, and NY take DAT so I'll stick with what I have. Here are my DAT scores and GPA:
Academic Average: 20
Total Science: 20
PAT: 19
Overall GPA: 3.65
Science GPA: 3.3
What are my chances of getting an interview or even getting accepted? You're feedback is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[215512]

Bahaa where are you?

 

[Rmm2210]

you most likely will get in....

 

[chober]

gpa is poo, my DAT is 21/21/20

NYCPM, Barry, Temple accepted me. Temple and NYCPM gave me $$.

 

[Gryhu]

Bahaa where are you?

I've been busy man. Physio exam 😎

OP - Please take the MCAT. I've been told that NYCPM will no longer be accepting the DAT after this cycle and thats great! People who are looking to be podiatrists shouldn't use a dental exam to get into podiatry school. Its the same thing as someone taking the MCAT and trying to get into dental school. That won't (I think) work.

Your GPA is fine, just get like 22+ on the MCAT and you'll be golden.

 

[chober]

go head and use your scores if you want to go to miami, Philly and AZ

 

[Paulywog]

I was in the same situation you were. I took the DAT and got accepted to the same places last year and considered taking the MCAT but never did. I am doing great in my first year and I don't think I will be lesser of a student or podiatrist because I did not take the DAT. To those that have not yet taken the DAT, I would suggest taking the MCAT over the DAT.

 

[rdentir]

I'm applying for Fall 2010. I'm hoping my DAT score will still be taken by Barry, NYC, and Temple. Will I be in good shape?

 

[JEWmongous]

I'm applying for Fall 2010. I'm hoping my DAT score will still be taken by Barry, NYC, and Temple. Will I be in good shape?

NYCPM won't take the MCAT for the Fall 2010 entering class. So you are left with Barry + Temple...that's if they do not become MCAT only. Supposedly Azpod takes the DAT now but hopefully they will man up and change in the near future.

I wouldn't count on the DAT being available for pod school in the coming years. Pretty much only 2 out of 9 schools will accept the test next year. As I said before, in the end of things we are not going to be dentists...hint hint

 

[Paulywog]

NYCPM won't take the MCAT for the Fall 2010 entering class. So you are left with Barry + Temple...that's if they do not become MCAT only. Supposedly Azpod takes the DAT now but hopefully they will man up and change in the near future.

I wouldn't count on the DAT being available for pod school in the coming years. Pretty much only 2 out of 9 schools will accept the test next year. As I said before, in the end of things we are not going to be dentists...hint hint

I agree with you. The schools should phase out accepting the DAT score. but, I did not become a dentist because I took the DAT. The MCAT and DAT both test basic science knowledge. The MCAT is said to be a little harder. Schools just wanted to attract better applicants, so they took the DAT...and I am glad they did. I know you have been here a while and know all of this, so I will stop. I don't think there is a relationship of those that took the MCAT being much better Podiatry students than those students that took the DAT. ANyways, the DAT should be phased out once competition for Podiatry is up and better applicants are supplied.

 

[JEWmongous]

I agree with you. The schools should phase out accepting the DAT score. but, I did not become a dentist because I took the DAT. The MCAT and DAT both test basic science knowledge. The MCAT is said to be a little harder. Schools just wanted to attract better applicants, so they took the DAT...and I am glad they did. I know you have been here a while and know all of this, so I will stop. I don't think there is a relationship of those that took the MCAT being much better Podiatry students than those students that took the DAT. ANyways, the DAT should be phased out once competition for Podiatry is up and better applicants are supplied.

I understand completely. Overall I just recommend for people who have not taken an exam yet to just write the MCAT. You are limiting yourself to a small set of schools - not even half. Next year will be even less.

The main reason for accepting the MCAT/GRE/DAT/PCAT/etc was due to the applications to pod schools dropped to very low levels. Before this, I believe all the schools required the MCAT. Programs needed to attract candidates and accepting a variety of tests was one way to conveniently fill seats during these rough times. However, in the past few years, applications have been on the upswing - and numerous schools switched BACK to only accepting the MCAT. As we can see, some schools are faster than others to make this transition.

Also, I feel that if programs make the switch, it should be set in stone. It's BS for places to advertise "MCAT only" but then accept the dental test on a case by case basis.

 

[Paulywog]

I understand completely. Overall I just recommend for people who have not taken an exam yet to just write the MCAT. You are limiting yourself to a small set of schools - not even half. Next year will be even less.

The main reason for accepting the MCAT/GRE/DAT/PCAT/etc was due to the applications to pod schools dropped to very low levels. Before this, I believe all the schools required the MCAT. Programs needed to attract candidates and accepting a variety of tests was one way to conveniently fill seats during these rough times. However, in the past few years, applications have been on the upswing - and numerous schools switched BACK to only accepting the MCAT. As we can see, some schools are faster than others to make this transition.

Also, I feel that if programs make the switch, it should be set in stone. It's BS for places to advertise "MCAT only" but then accept the dental test on a case by case basis.

I agree!

 

[chober]

I understand completely. Overall I just recommend for people who have not taken an exam yet to just write the MCAT. You are limiting yourself to a small set of schools - not even half. Next year will be even less.

The main reason for accepting the MCAT/GRE/DAT/PCAT/etc was due to the applications to pod schools dropped to very low levels. Before this, I believe all the schools required the MCAT. Programs needed to attract candidates and accepting a variety of tests was one way to conveniently fill seats during these rough times. However, in the past few years, applications have been on the upswing - and numerous schools switched BACK to only accepting the MCAT. As we can see, some schools are faster than others to make this transition.

Also, I feel that if programs make the switch, it should be set in stone. It's BS for places to advertise "MCAT only" but then accept the dental test on a case by case basis.

Makes sense, but if you took DAT and don't mind the other schools then who cares. Till it set in stone, do what you gots to.

 

[StaphRx]

I've taken both the MCAT and the DAT for myself and because I was initially considering both professions early on in my college years; too bad both required different exams and have separate schools.

And I do not understand why pre-podiatry students talk about the difference of these two exams, when they really all do the same thing; test basic sciences.

In my opinion, podiatry students SHOULD take the DAT, as manual dexterity skills and perceptions of seeing objects are tested. The format of the exam was easier, as I personally like independent MC questions, over Reading Comprehension type questions.

And for those taking the MCATs, why not try to score in the 30s and over? These scores allow you to start applying to medical schools, while the dental schools usually prefer students with over 21's in the categories. Some dental school students that are taking classes with the medical students at their schools even score higher academically than the med school students in most schools, so now tell me what the difference is in caliber of a student getting into professional schools with a DAT or a MCAT score?

Why don't we just have a universal medical health profession entrance exam? Or one just for pre-podiatry students? There will be less debate over which students admitted really belong in the pod school versus not belong based on what exams they take...that's just ridiculous.

Taking the MCAT? Aim for 35 and above! Taking the DAT? Aim for 21 and above! You won't have to fear about pod school admissions~

😉

 

[chober]

I've taken both the MCAT and the DAT for myself and because I was initially considering both professions early on in my college years; too bad both required different exams and have separate schools.

And I do not understand why pre-podiatry students talk about the difference of these two exams, when they really all do the same thing; test basic sciences.

In my opinion, podiatry students SHOULD take the DAT, as manual dexterity skills and perceptions of seeing objects are tested. The format of the exam was easier, as I personally like independent MC questions, over Reading Comprehension type questions.

And for those taking the MCATs, why not try to score in the 30s and over? These scores allow you to start applying to medical schools, while the dental schools usually prefer students with over 21's in the categories. Some dental school students that are taking classes with the medical students at their schools even score higher academically than the med school students in most schools, so now tell me what the difference is in caliber of a student getting into professional schools with a DAT or a MCAT score?

Why don't we just have a universal medical health profession entrance exam? Or one just for pre-podiatry students? There will be less debate over which students admitted really belong in the pod school versus not belong based on what exams they take...that's just ridiculous.

Taking the MCAT? Aim for 35 and above! Taking the DAT? Aim for 21 and above! You won't have to fear about pod school admissions~

😉

Did, got 21s dental schools gimme da boot, maybe time for 23+

 

[dpmgrad]

I was recently informed that TUSPM is considering to accept only MCAT scores starting with Fall 2010 application cycle. If this is true, the current application cycle will be the last year that TUSPM accepts GRE or DATs.

 

[StaphRx]

Did, got 21s dental schools gimme da boot, maybe time for 23+

Oops, I should also add that the entrance exams aren't the only major factor in admissions...the whole package counts too~ 😎

 

[peach709]

I had pretty much the exact same stats as you do and I got accepted to Barry (the only one that I applied to). They gave me a great scholarship also! Of course, the whole package does count. I did a lot of genetic research, clinical research, and shadowing but I am sure you will get accepted to all of them even if the rest of your resume is not spectacular.

In theory, I do agree that podiatry schools, being a medical school, should essentially only accept the MCAT BUT the tests are extremely similar and so really it does not matter, at all! In the eyes of the school, I think it just broadens the application pool by accepting the DAT and therefore they can reject others that took the MCAT that are not up to par instead of just having to fill seats.

More applicants=harder to get in=better class!

Like another person said, maybe podiatry should get its own test OR just make one universal test for all of the health professional schools with a PAT, physics, and the rest of the sciences sections on it.

 

[UMDPM]

I had pretty much the exact same stats as you do and I got accepted to Barry (the only one that I applied to). They gave me a great scholarship also! Of course, the whole package does count. I did a lot of genetic research, clinical research, and shadowing but I am sure you will get accepted to all of them even if the rest of your resume is not spectacular.

In theory, I do agree that podiatry schools, being a medical school, should essentially only accept the MCAT BUT the tests are extremely similar and so really it does not matter, at all! In the eyes of the school, I think it just broadens the application pool by accepting the DAT and therefore they can reject others that took the MCAT that are not up to par instead of just having to fill seats.

More applicants=harder to get in=better class!

Like another person said, maybe podiatry should get its own test OR just make one universal test for all of the health professional schools with a PAT, physics, and the rest of the sciences sections on it.

The DAT and the MCAT are not extremely similar. The DAT has single format question, PAT section and does not has any physics questions.

 

[JEWmongous]

The DAT and the MCAT are not extremely similar. The DAT has single format question, PAT section and does not has any physics questions.

A lot of pre-dents I talked to thought the PAT section was the hardest part of the exam. However, I was told by the admins at a few schools that still accept the DAT (only ones are Barry, Temple, NYCPM, maybe Azpod) that they DO NOT even look at your PAT score. You could completely bomb that section as they only look at the Academic Average (AA). Thus, it can be a much easier test than the MCAT, especially when you can avoid the toughest section.

I don't care what you say, but the passage based questions of the MCAT are a hell of a lot harder than stand alone questions on th DAT. MCAT you need strong thinking and reasoning skills while you could get away with sole memorization for most of the DAT.

 

[UMDPM]

A lot of pre-dents I talked to thought the PAT section was the hardest part of the exam. However, I was told by the admins at a few schools that still accept the DAT (only ones are Barry, Temple, NYCPM, maybe Azpod) that they DO NOT even look at your PAT score. You could completely bomb that section as they only look at the Academic Average (AA). Thus, it can be a much easier test than the MCAT, especially when you can avoid the toughest section.

I don't care what you say, but the passage based questions of the MCAT are a hell of a lot harder than stand alone questions on th DAT. MCAT you need strong thinking and reasoning skills while you could get away with sole memorization for most of the DAT.

hmm....is this response to me or peach706😕 I specifically stated that the MCAT and DAT are not extremely similar.

 

[JEWmongous]

hmm....is this response to me or peach706😕 I specifically stated that the MCAT and DAT are not extremely similar.

Yes, sorry!!!

 

[peach709]

Even if you do not think the DAT is similar, your score is curved with everyone who has EVER taken that particular test. The score is relative and ranks you so it will still fit you in where you deserve and give you a score you deserve.

My point was that I doubt there is a huge predictability of the MCAT/DAT for how good of a doctor you will be so therefore it does not really matter. Do you really think being tested on physics (or not) will show a school if you will be a good doctor or not? of course, not....

on the other hand, I am sure perceptual ability has shown correlation with the success of surgeons, for example.

 

[dropfoot]

Even if you do not think the DAT is similar, your score is curved with everyone who has EVER taken that particular test. The score is relative and ranks you so it will still fit you in where you deserve and give you a score you deserve.

My point was that I doubt there is a huge predictability of the MCAT/DAT for how good of a doctor you will be so therefore it does not really matter. Do you really think being tested on physics (or not) will show a school if you will be a good doctor or not? of course, not....

on the other hand, I am sure perceptual ability has shown correlation with the success of surgeons, for example.

I agree: it is all bureaucratic red tape bull$hitt anyway.

 

[PoddyMan]

I agree: it is all bureaucratic red tape bull$hitt anyway.

That's where you're wrong, DF; the MCAT is a strong predictor of one's performance on the medical/podiatric board exams. And, the better the board pass rate at a school, the "better" they are perceived to be.

 

[chober]

That's where you're wrong, DF; the MCAT is a strong predictor of one's performance on the medical/podiatric board exams. And, the better the board pass rate at a school, the "better" they are perceived to be.

So far AZPod has a 100% passing rate for their students!

 

[PodunkUDPM]

So far AZPod has a 100% passing rate for their students!

For all the ones who made it that far. Lol.

 

[chober]

For all the ones who made it that far. Lol.

Haha, wonder whos gonna drop it to 99.3%