DAT Breakdown: 8/25/11

[slamdunk1701]

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So I just finished my DAT a few hours ago and I'd like to give back a little to this site because its been so instrumental to my success. I wasn't planning on writing one of these but I think its the right thing to do.

PAT: 26
QR: 30
RC: 24
Bio: 21
GC: 26
OC: 23
TS: 23
AA: 25

The materials I used to prepare were DAT destroyer, AP cliffs Bio, KBB, and CDP. I think this is really all that you need. CDP is very comparable to the real thing, with the angles and cubes being considerably more difficult than the actual DAT. Bio is not exactly random like others have said, but I found it asked for details that really are outside of the scope of what I thought should be tested. I guess they need to make some stupidly hard questions so not everyone gets a 30. Destroyer is indispensable for doing well on GC and OC. I went through 2x and felt really prepared. I didnt really study for math or RC because I strongly believe that those sections just test your innate ability. Do a few math sections and RC just to get a feel for the timing, but don't stress about them. They just are what they are. The sciences and perceptual are the places to boost your score, not rc and qr.

My cum gpa is 3.475 and my sci gpa is like 3.4. I'm a rising junior. Do you guys think that I have a chance at top tier schools or getting accepted a year early?

Also feel free to ask any questions and I'll try to answer as best I can! Good luck to all of you taking this, believe in yourself, try your best, and the scores will come.

 

[FROGGBUSTER]

Good job, with a score like I'm sure people would appreciate it though if you posted a longer and more detailed breakdown. Something to consider.

I don't know about getting accepted a year early, but I think you have a shot at a top-tier school if you get straight A's this year, which can improve your GPA a lot. GPA + DAT are the most important parts of the application, so you're halfway there. The rest depends on the other aspects (interviews, ECs, well-roundedness, etc). I would say you're definitely going to be accepted somewhere though.

 

[justwant]

which school do u go to? makes a little difference since ur gpa is a little low

 

[slamdunk1701]

I'm at Muhlenberg college in PA. and I have about 120 hours interning with an oral surgeon and periodontist. And thanks Froggbuster. You and letsgo2dschool really stand out to me as being two of the most helpful people on this board. I definitely attribute some of my success to the two of you.

 

[AlbinoPolarBear]

Hey dude, awesome DAT scores. You obliterated it.

When you said top schools, I assumed you meant the Ivys and the UC schools.

Out of all of the 'top' schools, you will be competitive for Columbia. They are more lenient with the GPA (~3.50 class average), because they like high DAT scores (22+).

Harvard's and Penn's average matriculant's GPA is around 3.70, so your 3.48 *might* put you out of the running.

The cali schools like UCLA and UCSF do not accept many out of state applicants, so the odds are stacked against you (especially with that GPA).

Most schools require you to complete a degree before you apply, so you should get your bachelors first. I wouldn't waste money on the application for this year, since the odds of you getting in is quite low.

But yeah, with that killer DAT score, you'd get in somewhere for sure if you applied next year.

Good luck!