Chances and Concerns

[Ever]

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Hi everyone, I just took the DAT and here is the break down of my scores:

Perceptual Ability: 18
Quantitative Reasoning: 16
Reading Comprehension: 18
Biology: 20
General Chemistry: 19
Organic Chemistry: 19
Total Science: 19
Academic Average: 18

It is not too bad but the QR was so low. I would really appreciate it if you guys could give me some advices and predict my chances of getting in this cycle. My cumulative GPA is 3.85 and Science GPA is around 3.8 - 3.9. I have about 60 hrs shadowing and 60 hrs volunteering. I'm asian and from the Midwest. My dental school choice are UNMC and Creighton (2nd choice). It was my first time taking the DAT so I was wondering if I should retake it again in mid October to apply for this cycle. I'm really on the fence about retaking. Any advice is much appreciated. Thank you in advance.

 

[pinkster]

In my opinion, October would be too late to retake for this cycle. That would mean your app wouldn't be verified and considered complete for schools until November and unless your scores drastically change I think it would be hard to make it work. I don't know much about UNMC but the beauty of Creighton is that they seem to place a great emphasis on the whole person (something Jesuits love to do). I think with those scores, your awesome gpa, and some volunteer experiences (possibly with underserved populations) you would have a good shot at Creighton. If you don't feel like you have a ton of volunteer or community service background, perhaps look into Marquette or Midwestern IL if you're looking to stay in the midwest. The first thing you should do is make sure schools don't have a cutoff of 17 for scores. Also, apply broadly!

 

[Sonya0810]

I would apply to many schools, like 18 and keep your head up! I also got similar score on the DAT ( 19 AA 19 TS 19 Pat qr 17) and have high GPa. I was so upset and planned to retake in October. People here on sdn really helped me to stay on track. Today I saw my advisor, who told me that I have good chances, he advised me not to retake, because it will be late and it is draw of a luck, risky. I honestly believe that with that gpa you could do much better on the Dat, but things happen. I am in the same shoes as you are, applied to 15 schools. I would advise you to make a list of all possible schools, call them asking if they don't have cut off( for that 16) and apply!!!!!!!!

 

[Sonya0810]

By the way my advisor told average acceptance rate is 19, and 21-23 is very rare!!! Only once in his life he saw a 26!

 

[cacajuate]

You will get some interviews with those scores.

Always confuses me that people can get through a entire college career with almost a 4.0 and then do so mediocre on the DAT. What university did you to?

 

[Sonya0810]

I am for instance in super hard senior college!!! Working full time paying for my education and studying full time. The night before the exam slept 2 hr, was so stressed, and my exam was hard!!! Who knows what happened, but 19.

 

[Ever]

You will get some interviews with those scores.

Always confuses me that people can get through a entire college career with almost a 4.0 and then do so mediocre on the DAT. What university did you to?

English is not my first language, but mostly I'm horrible at taking standardized exams.

 

[Sonya0810]

Don't be upset and apply broadly! I stay positive we both get in this year!

 

[Ever]

Don't be upset and apply broadly! I stay positive we both get in this year!

Thank you for your advice. I hope so too. Good luck!

 

[Sonya0810]

Don't forget to let me know then which school you are in! 😉 Be confident! Good luck! You are solid with that GPA, I don't think people with mediocre gpa but high DAT have more chances than we do. Because they studied 6 weeks for exam! Or we with high gpa, who study consistently! Good luck!