Concerned about two 17s on the DAT

[MaggieL]

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Hi,

I'm really concerned about my DAT score and was wondering if I should retake. I'm afraid I might not get into a dental school due to two 17s (I heard many reputable schools have a cutoff at 17).

Here's my breakdown:

RC: 17
QR: 19
PAT: 17
Bio: 22
GC: 23
OC: 20
TS: 22
AA: 20

I usually score much better on the PAT, but for some reason, I ended up bombing the PAT portion of the exam. I had hope to get interviews at Columbia and Penn, but at this point, I just wonder if I will even get into any schools in the New York/Penn/Boston area.

Is it worth retaking in late-October?

 

[wired202808]

Hi,

I'm really concerned about my DAT score and was wondering if I should retake. I'm afraid I might not get into a dental school due to two 17s (I heard many reputable schools have a cutoff at 17).

Here's my breakdown:

RC: 17
QR: 19
PAT: 17
Bio: 22
GC: 23
OC: 20
TS: 22
AA: 20

I usually score much better on the PAT, but for some reason, I ended up bombing the PAT portion of the exam. I had hope to get interviews at Columbia and Penn, but at this point, I just wonder if I will even get into any schools in the New York/Penn/Boston area.

Is it worth retaking in late-October?

whats your GPA? you'll probably get into NYU or Temple. NYU takes a buttload of people. dont sweat it! also your theory on 2 17's is not true because PAT is not part of the AA so you have to look at what schools want for an AA grade, individual section grade ie. BIO and the individual PAT grade. Unless you have a 3.01 gpa you probably have a decent shot to get in somewhere.

 

[herkulease]

while your AA and TS score fall within the range of matriculated states.

columbia in the school survey does not considered RC and PAT as important as TS and AA.

Penn on the other hand considers RC to be as important as AA and TS, while PAT not so much.

However both though do not state a cut off/minimum point. So you have to decide how much weight to put into the survey. I wouldn't think if the other sections they answered as as being important you at least state the minimum.

 

[iwannabeadds]

In an interview I was told that statistically, PAT and Reading Comp are the two strongest indicators of success in dental school. But that could have been totally specific to that school. I hope thats not the case for your sake. I know that a retake in October would be close to being too late to be considered by some schools for this application cycle.

Sorry, I totally hate debbie downers who post things like this, I was an underdog too and I finally got my break! Best of luck!

 

[molar3]

while your AA and TS score fall within the range of matriculated states.

columbia in the school survey does not considered RC and PAT as important as TS and AA.

Penn on the other hand considers RC to be as important as AA and TS, while PAT not so much.

However both though do not state a cut off/minimum point. So you have to decide how much weight to put into the survey. I wouldn't think if the other sections they answered as as being important you at least state the minimum.

hey herkulease, do you mind directing me to where you find this info? i wanna read more!
thanks :-D

 

[herkulease]

hey herkulease, do you mind directing me to where you find this info? i wanna read more!
thanks :-D

here you go.

http://www.ada.org/sections/professionalResources/pdfs/survey_ed_vol2.pdf

there's lots of other info too.

 

[MaggieL]

Thanks everyone! My overall GPA is 3.93, my science GPA is 3.8 and my BCP is 3.67

I hope my GPA will make up for my low DAT score. 🙁

 

[MAdental]

I hope my GPA will make up for my low DAT score. 🙁

\

what are you talking about? u think getting two 17s is low ? lol last time i check 14 or a 15 was low.

 

[NguyenDDS]

I vote not to retake because your GPAs are sooo wonderful 🙂 But that's just my opinion 😉