chances for low DAT

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annguyen293

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any body or know any body can get in dental school with DAT:16 and GPA:3.5. I just took DAT for 2nd time and I didn't do well. I still proceed application but don't expect much
 
i don't think u hav much chance since u're azn with 16...sorry for the low score. but if u have everything in already...just proceed and see wut happens. was ur 1st time better? a retake may be necessary...
 
hmm, are you in cali an? you still have a chance to get in. just send the apps away.
 
there's no harm in applying because you never know... you might get an interview and impress them enough to speak highly of you. honestly, it seems as though those are accepted generally score 19+ and if you have low gpa... I would aim for a 20 at least.
 
I'd say invest in some DAT prep, and retake. There are plenty of materials that will help bring up your DAT. Kaplan, DAT Destroyer, DAT Achiever, TopScore Pro, Crack DAT PAT, Crack DAT Math, ect... Whatever that costs is insignificant in the grand scheme of things.

Your best shots might be USC and Temple, but even they are unlikely to take someone with 3.5 and 16, especially since you're applying very very late in the cycle... Retake and shoot for a 20, but even an 18 will give you a good chance, and make sure you don't have any section below a 17. Good luck. It may take an extra year, but you'll get there, if it's your dream 🙂
 
Looks like I'm in the same boat as you. DAT 16 w/ PAT 20 (only taken DAT once). My GPA is 3.8, but I still applied and hoping like crazy I'll get an interview somewhere.

Don't postpone submitting your application and choose schools that have reasonable/lower expectations.

Try not to get discouraged by your score...or let other people let you think it's not possible. So far, your posts look encouraging. I didn't have the same kind words when I posted the same thread on here a few months ago!

Hope for the best. GOOD LUCK!!!
 
Why there's a difference from Cali resident and non. I saw the stat 2007 and dental schools in Cali accepted high score DAT around 19-20. So someone can get in if he lives in Cali eventhough got 16 for DAT? If so, I should move to Cali????
 
You think so? You don't know my situation. I have to face with my family's pressure and myself. My family disappointed and compared me with my cousins who took Dat only one and got high score and went straight to dental school, now become dentists. You can understand it, very pain. So the only thing I can hope is the interview from somewhere and the high score on the third time
 
did you score 16 in every section?

it's gonna be tough if you have scores lower than 16 and nothing on the high side to counter it.

if you truly want to pursue dentistry, definitely take somethinpositiv's advice and study to take the DATs again. you can do it!
 
yeah. But my PAT is 19
 
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yes 16 is much lower than most people getting accepted, but you still may have a chance. look at this thread. All of these school accepted students in 2007 with a 16 or lower. so i would not count on it, but it is not out of the question

here is like 38 or 39 schools that did accept AA at 16 or lower
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=527690
AZ
LL
USC
col
conn
howard
s ill
iow
kent
louisville
boston
tuffts
mercy
mich
minn
miss
misouri
neb
nev
umdnj
columbia
ny
sd
buff
unc
oh
ok
pitt
temp
PP
meharry
baylor
hou
sa
va
wash
wav
marq
 
Probably you may get an interview invite from Howard if you already earned a BA/BS degree.
 
OnDentalDuty said:
Probably you may get an interview invite from Howard if you already earned a BA/BS degree.
Click to expand...


you only get into howard if your an underrepresented minority. If the op is a black/hispanic/eskimo than he or she could score a 12 on the DAT and get in with a 3.5.
 
Are you serious? I remember that Columbia accepted very high score around 19-20. But anyway you give me some hope. After Dat day, I stopped proceeding second application to the schools which I know impossible. I just apply to Meharry and Temple. I didn't hear anything from Horward.
 
howard accepts more azns than meharry.
 
annguyen293 said:
Are you serious? I remember that Columbia accepted very high score around 19-20. But anyway you give me some hope. After Dat day, I stopped proceeding second application to the schools which I know impossible. I just apply to Meharry and Temple. I didn't hear anything from Horward.
Click to expand...

Good DAT score is the primary factor in the decision for Temple.
 
sorry to say but chances are pretty slim of an acceptance.
you have a solid GPA but you lack the DAT score. I'd invest in a prep course or better prep materials since you have already taken it 2x, it really leaves you no choice but to nail it the 3rd time with atleast a 19. But hey i hope you do get in this year so u dont have to deal with the DAT again.
 
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no one can tell you whether you are going to get in or not.
but people here will tell you whether you will have a good chance or not.

as far as your GPA goes, it's about the average of accepted dental students (not applied students). some schools have accepted median around 3.7 and some have 3.3 but it usually falls in between those two.

for DAT, the usual accepted average is around 19. UoP for example has median around 20 and 21 for PAT whereas most of other schools have average around 19.

so numbers above are statistics for two factors of getting into dental schools. you have an average GPA (it'll also depend where you went for undergrad, not too much but slightly) and your DAT is far below average. I'm sorry but your percentile with 16 would be very low, since DAT average for every students that take the exam is supposed to be 17.

so with two factors above, i would say try to save your money and retake with much more studying and try when it has more chances. but if you have a really good experience (life experiences such as jobs in health care field, Masters program, lot of curricular activity hours, lot of dental experiences, and etc.) then those can always boost up your chances and really good LORs will always help too

reading from your posts, it seems that you're not too good with english (at least grammar wise) so maybe you want someone to carefully read your personal statement and etc.

your chances are slim and if you still haven't applied yet, then i will say that you're chances are really low. it also looks like that you have not done too much research about applying to dental schools (from seeing you asking about the residency and etc.).

i would suggest you to take your time to research more (find out which schools have accepted students with low DAT or Asians) and try to apply ASAP when next cycle comes up (which would be May 1st of 2009). also don't forget to study really hard for DAT. i'm not sure how much effort you have put into studying for DAT, but I truly believe good DAT scores can be achieve by anyone who puts enough effort into it.

also, please do not let your parents' pressure decide what you want to do. it sounds like you're about to graduate from college, and not everyone that gets into dental school goes straight from college to dental schools. some people do take their time to prepare better and it definately helps them to decide what they truly want to do and also prepare for the dental school itself


good luck withe everything and if you have enough money i guess it wouldn't hurt to apply (but remember, if you do not get in, you have to explain to schools how you have improved yourself from the first application cycle)
 
wow, lphiewok totally summed it up.
 
Last edited:
annguyen293 said:
any body or know any body can get in dental school with DAT:16 and GPA:3.5. I just took DAT for 2nd time and I didn't do well. I still proceed application but don't expect much
Click to expand...

can we get a full DAT breakdown if you don't mind so that we may give you some solid advice.

If 16 is your AA, then I too suggest you set aside a good amount of study time, get the appropriate study materials, and focus on improving your DAT scores... it is indeed possible!
 
Thanks. I hope too. I'm so tired when I look at the Dat materials
 
what schools did you apply to...if u dont mind?
 
I had 16AA and 3.6 GPA last year - didn't get in anywhere. I retook and got an 18AA... still haven't heard from any schools but I'm really hoping for better results this time! Every school I spoke with last year said to re-take the DAT and I would have a much better chance. If you are going to try anyway, I suggest not applying to the hardest schools and saving yourself some money... but there's not too much hurt in trying!
 
I applied to Meharry, Temple, UCSF, UF, Nova, Howard. I just expect in Meharry and Howard, but I still don't hear anything from Howard, its status is blank.
 
Thanks. What you said are really straight, but they are true. I can't refuse them even though they hurt me a little bit (be honest). However I appreciate it.
 
Lopyswine said:
you only get into howard if your an underrepresented minority. If the op is a black/hispanic/eskimo than he or she could score a 12 on the DAT and get in with a 3.5.
Click to expand...

one of the dumbest posts i have read
1) you dont have to be a uderrepresented minority to get into howard
2) 12 AA DAT? are you serious?? 😕
 
nraouf said:
one of the dumbest posts i have read
1) you dont have to be a uderrepresented minority to get into howard
2) 12 AA DAT? are you serious?? 😕
Click to expand...

i think it was a joke?
but howard is directed towards minorities.
 
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annguyen293 said:
You think so? You don't know my situation. I have to face with my family's pressure and myself. My family disappointed and compared me with my cousins who took Dat only one and got high score and went straight to dental school, now become dentists. You can understand it, very pain. So the only thing I can hope is the interview from somewhere and the high score on the third time
Click to expand...

If you do get an interview, I would refrain from mentioning that. That is what basically ALL asian parents do.

As for your situation, try to do what the other posters suggested and really study hard for the DAT next time. What study materials were you using?
 
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