Can A Good Dat Score Buy You An Acceptance?

[doc3232]

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I was wondering if a very high DAT score could outweigh a 3.55 GPA and only 100 hours volunteering and little shadowing could get me into UCSF and UCLA: I'm thinking at about 23 on the DAT and PAT. I really can't handle a private school, too much debt...
THANKS

 

[KinKs]

your GPA doesn't need any help - and with that GPA you should not have to worry aboout the DAT

 

[doc3232]

i just listed gpa so no one would ask
but i have very few extracurriculars compared to other applicants

 

[newstudent]

I was wondering if a very high DAT score could outweigh a 3.55 GPA and only 100 hours volunteering and little shadowing could get me into UCSF and UCLA: I'm thinking at about 23 on the DAT and PAT. I really can't handle a private school, too much debt...
THANKS

I think you should get DAT in a 19/20 range or higher. UCSF and UCLA average GPA is 3.6. imo

 

[iA-MD2013]

seeing as the avg gpa for ucla and ucsf is a 3.6, you are below the avg gpa. you should really kick the dat's ***. like a 23+...

 

[Dan3223]

Just do the best you can and hope for the best. Wanting to get a score is kinda silly. Everyone wants to get a 23+ ... but to expect that type of score will most often lead to dissapointment. Just do your best 🙂

 

[SHC1984]

Depends on how good you are talking about....
I have a 3.9 Gpa and a 21AA/22TS and I didn't get accepted the first time I applied...

 

[ucla2134]

I have the same GPA but ill be glad if i got accept into any dental school. Money should not be an issue if you want to accomplish your dream

 

[ummjoey]

make sure to check www.predents.com and ADA book for statistics on each school.

 

[tamkhan]

You'll be fine with anything above 20 on the DAT. Keep in mind that scores are not everything. When you see people with 3.8+ gpas and DATs of 20+, it's not only because of their scores. You need a good application. Personal statement is also very important.
Good luck!

 

[C equals]

You'll be fine with anything above 20 on the DAT. Keep in mind that scores are not everything. When you see people with 3.8+ gpas and DATs of 20+, it's not only because of their scores. You need a good application. Personal statement is also very important.
Good luck!

Absolutely- well said. You said you have only a few volunteer hours. What are they for- are they meaningful?

 

[DrSmiles12]

I was wondering if a very high DAT score could outweigh a 3.55 GPA and only 100 hours volunteering and little shadowing could get me into UCSF and UCLA: I'm thinking at about 23 on the DAT and PAT. I really can't handle a private school, too much debt...
THANKS

I am sure that money could buy you an acceptance!😛

 

[cowbuddha]

I was wondering if a very high DAT score could outweigh a 3.55 GPA and only 100 hours volunteering and little shadowing could get me into UCSF and UCLA: I'm thinking at about 23 on the DAT and PAT. I really can't handle a private school, too much debt...
THANKS

Only a 3.55gpa? I dunno, it don't look too good, I think you're gonna have to gun for a 29 on all sections.

 

[cowbuddha]

Depends on how good you are talking about....
I have a 3.9 Gpa and a 21AA/22TS and I didn't get accepted the first time I applied...

Really? I find that pretty odd. Didn't get accepted anywhere, or didn't get accepted to Columbia? Why do you think you weren't accepted with such good #'s the first time around?

 

[akarobie]

In my experience, I can tell you that you can't buy an acceptance with a Good Dat Score. Don't assume you are in even if you have a decent DAT score. You are going to be surprised!😉

 

[armorshell]

Yes.

 

[caffeinehigh]

No but paying for a building on a campus can buy you an acceptance haha

 

[MnBr63]

The numbers are definitely not the only thing. Its kind of funny to me to see people who believe that they are the most qualified applicant because they have stuck their nose in a book, and studied hard for a test, but at the same time have no real compassion, do not possess a professional maturity, can not communicate effectively, and don't experience life outside of a library. DAT and GPA are the most easily quantified stats and of course they do play a good role in admissions... but knowing all of the steps in the krebs cycle is not a litmus test of who is a good doctor.

 

[cowbuddha]

The numbers are definitely not the only thing. Its kind of funny to me to see people who believe that they are the most qualified applicant because they have stuck their nose in a book, and studied hard for a test, but at the same time have no real compassion, do not possess a professional maturity, can not communicate effectively, and don't experience life outside of a library. DAT and GPA are the most easily quantified stats and of course they do play a good role in admissions... but knowing all of the steps in the krebs cycle is not a litmus test of who is a good doctor.

Very true.

 

[scuzfly]

The numbers are definitely not the only thing. Its kind of funny to me to see people who believe that they are the most qualified applicant because they have stuck their nose in a book, and studied hard for a test, but at the same time have no real compassion, do not possess a professional maturity, can not communicate effectively, and don't experience life outside of a library. DAT and GPA are the most easily quantified stats and of course they do play a good role in admissions... but knowing all of the steps in the krebs cycle is not a litmus test of who is a good doctor.

I see this happen all the time. My campus has an award for the highest GPA of the graduating class. The girl who won was a psych major who went on to dental school but she's not social. I had her in a few classes and she was friends with more teachers from what I saw. One kid in med school told me "If no one wanted to go out on a friday I wouldn't call her because I know she would be studying."

Interviews can make up for a lot. 3.9 GPA is good but WHAT ELSE did you do? Clubs....ok so a little time commitment but nothing major. Shadowing, same thing, a couple hours a week. What did you do with the rest of your time? Shove your nose in a book? How hard working is that? Maybe they expected to see 23s or 25s on the DAT from a 3.9 student. I would.

But who am I? No one who matters to anyone on here. My opinion doesn't count. I can say that getting good grades doesn't do everything for every school. If you got all As through your entire undergraduate program some schools won't take you because all you did was go to school. They might want someone who did something OUTSIDE of school, outside of clubs and campus organized activites or volounteering. UNLV (DR. Ancajas) said working full time can make up for a lower GPA and DAT score. Maybe that's why Harvard takes kids with a 3.6 instead of everyone with a 4.0

 

[already954]

The numbers are definitely not the only thing. Its kind of funny to me to see people who believe that they are the most qualified applicant because they have stuck their nose in a book, and studied hard for a test, but at the same time have no real compassion, do not possess a professional maturity, can not communicate effectively, and don't experience life outside of a library. DAT and GPA are the most easily quantified stats and of course they do play a good role in admissions... but knowing all of the steps in the krebs cycle is not a litmus test of who is a good doctor.

I totally agree with you. I felt that the most important factor in me getting into dental school was how I was able to communicate during my interviews. Lets face it, everyone at the interviews has decent scores and on paper looks very similar. By having excellent communication skills and staying relaxed I was able to convey my ability to succeed at the dental school.

Your stats get you the interview, and your interview gets you the spot.👍

 

[Bronconation]

I was wondering if a very high DAT score could outweigh a 3.55 GPA and only 100 hours volunteering and little shadowing could get me into UCSF and UCLA: I'm thinking at about 23 on the DAT and PAT. I really can't handle a private school, too much debt...
THANKS

What state do you in? I think that makes a huge difference.