Chance me? Retake DAT?

[kangaroo7]

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I am a recent graduate with a oGPA/sGPA: 3.64/3.66 with one W in Physics II which I am retaking this summer.
I have pretty strong EC's: president of two clubs, worked at a dental clinic in Ecuador, volunteering at hospital/ non-profit, taught first-graders dental care, research for two years (including summer), teacher's assistant, shadowing for around around 150 hours.
My DAT breakdown is 21 PAT, 21 RC, 22 QR, 21 BIO, 22 OCHEM, and 21 CHEM. 21 AA 21 TS
I have a sibling who goes to UCLA and I am also trying to go to UCLA. I've been advised to retake the DAT by her and some people, but was wondering whether it was necessary. Chances of UCLA/ other California schools?

 

[nemolaws]

No need to retake. Do not feed into the hype. You are good to go.

 

[BigShawn]

Are you a CA resident? Cause the top schools in CA are UCSF and UCLA and they are not out of state friendly. Stats are pretty good; GPA slightly lower than UCLA average for last year's incoming class and the DAT AA was a 22. EC's and shadowing are good. With a good PS and LORs I think you should have a good chance for an interview. This coming from someone who is applying this cycle so I am not an expert on this. Good luck

 

[BigShawn]

By slightly lower GPA I mean by like .05 and .1 so you're fine. You'll be competitive to many places you apply to

 

[kangaroo7]

Are you a CA resident? Cause the top schools in CA are UCSF and UCLA and they are not out of state friendly. Stats are pretty good; GPA slightly lower than UCLA average for last year's incoming class and the DAT AA was a 22. EC's and shadowing are good. With a good PS and LORs I think you should have a good chance for an interview. This coming from someone who is applying this cycle so I am not an expert on this. Good luck

yes i am. another reason holding me back from retaking haha and you too

 

[BigShawn]

yes i am. another reason holding me back from retaking haha

Haha you'll be fine

 

[kangaroo7]

bump

 

[ajj70]

What if you retake the DAT and get a lower score?? Is UCLA the ONLY school you will attend? If you don't get into UCLA, what is your back up plan?

 

[kangaroo7]

What if you retake the DAT and get a lower score?? Is UCLA the ONLY school you will attend? If you don't get into UCLA, what is your back up plan?

Well, UCLA would be my ideal choice but otherwise I would be aiming for other top schools such as UCSF, USC, Columbia. I also applied to western, midwestern, UOP, NYU, tufts, temple, boston university, Upenn, Umich but I would be more inclined to attend any of the four schools stated above. These are very prestigious schools and I was wondering whether I have a high or low shot with my current DAT score.

 

[PlasmaMembrane]

top schools such as UCSF, USC, Columbia.

The only thing top about USC is its extortionate cost of attendance.

That said, for your 4 top schools:

UCLA: You are below the DAT and GPA average, so I would think of that as a stretch at this point without a retake.
Columbia: You are below the DAT average, and they put considerable emphasis on the DAT. I would also think of this as a stretch without a retake.
UCSF: You meet their DAT average. You should be fine here, although there's no guarantees, your stats are sufficient for admission but not incredibly competitive.
USC: You're above their DAT average. You're completely fine.

You could still get into any of the four above schools because some people with lower than the school's average stats still get in every cycle. But the odds are against you for UCLA and Columbia with your current DAT. Columbia, UCLA, and UCSF are competitive schools to get into and as an applicant you want to stand out in some way. Academically right now, for them, you don't.

 

[GBP12]

With those scores I don't know why you would want to retake with the risk of it going lower.

 

[OSUkid]

Those are good scores MAN, what kind of world are we living in.

 

[PlasmaMembrane]

Those are good scores MAN, what kind of world are we living in.

A world where "good scores" varies by schools because each one has different standards for acceptance.

 

[OSUkid]

A world where "good scores" varies by schools because each one has different standards for acceptance.

Those are good scores in general, a 21!, unless your applying to the exceptions like Harvard or columbia.Still good

 

[ajj70]

Well, UCLA would be my ideal choice but otherwise I would be aiming for other top schools such as UCSF, USC, Columbia. I also applied to western, midwestern, UOP, NYU, tufts, temple, boston university, Upenn, Umich but I would be more inclined to attend any of the four schools stated above. These are very prestigious schools and I was wondering whether I have a high or low shot with my current DAT score.

Prestigious how? You do realize that 99% of your patients will have no idea, nor will they care, where you went to dental school.

 

[gsquared]

21 is a pretty decent score--that's like top ten percent of test takers, right?

 

[PlasmaMembrane]

21 is a pretty decent score--that's like top ten percent of test takers, right?

Top 10% of everyone that takes the test, but (estimating) top 1/3rd of people that are actually accepted.

 

[andreadds]

I am a recent graduate with a oGPA/sGPA: 3.64/3.66 with one W in Physics II which I am retaking this summer.
I have pretty strong EC's: president of two clubs, worked at a dental clinic in Ecuador, volunteering at hospital/ non-profit, taught first-graders dental care, research for two years (including summer), teacher's assistant, shadowing for around around 150 hours.
My DAT breakdown is 21 PAT, 21 RC, 22 QR, 21 BIO, 22 OCHEM, and 21 CHEM. 21 AA 21 TS
I have a sibling who goes to UCLA and I am also trying to go to UCLA. I've been advised to retake the DAT by her and some people, but was wondering whether it was necessary. Chances of UCLA/ other California schools?

DOnt retake

 

[watermelon15]

I am a recent graduate with a oGPA/sGPA: 3.64/3.66 with one W in Physics II which I am retaking this summer.
I have pretty strong EC's: president of two clubs, worked at a dental clinic in Ecuador, volunteering at hospital/ non-profit, taught first-graders dental care, research for two years (including summer), teacher's assistant, shadowing for around around 150 hours.
My DAT breakdown is 21 PAT, 21 RC, 22 QR, 21 BIO, 22 OCHEM, and 21 CHEM. 21 AA 21 TS
I have a sibling who goes to UCLA and I am also trying to go to UCLA. I've been advised to retake the DAT by her and some people, but was wondering whether it was necessary. Chances of UCLA/ other California schools?

DONT RETAKE, REPEAT- DONT RETAKE

apply ASAP