DAT Done 5/19/11

[ll REVOFEV ll]

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I'm new to the site but I'd like to say that I have been obsessed with everything on here since I started studying for the DAT and found this forum. Looking back I wish I wouldn't have spent so much time on here and would have spent more time studying.

Anyways.....here are my scores:
PA: 20
QR: 14 😡 ouch 😡
RC: 26
Bio: 18
GC: 20
OC: 17
TS: 19
AA: 19

Overall GPA: 3.911 Science GPA: 3.907. Bio major chem minor. My EC's are decent and I've got about 30 hours of shadowing in and plan on doing some 30 more this summer at least before I apply in June.

Overall I'm happy with my scores other than organic and math. No I didn't get a 24aa 22ts like everyone else on this forum seems to be posting but I feel that people are generally afraid to post scores on here if they get lower. I'm not though and want opinions. Obviously I'm thinking about retaking it since my QR was so low but on the contrary I've heard that schools don't really care about QR and I'd rather not take it again if I don't have to. I'm planning on calling the 10 schools I'm considering applying to tomorrow to see what they each think. I also plan to schedule a meeting with the director of admissions at Marquette for next week sometime to talk to him in person. I will let everyone know what schools say.

Breakdown

What I used to study: Kaplan BB, topscore, cliffs AP bio (sort of)

How long I studied: I studied for the month of December pretty solidly over winter break. Took the next 3 to 4 months off during the school semester to focus on school work and then studied like 8 to 10 hrs a day for 5 days. Wish I would have studied more or pushed my DAT off until a later date, but I start work on Monday, work 50 hours a week, and they don't give people off for anything.

PAT: Didn't study for it really other than the three practice tests I took.

QR: Also didn't study for this other than the practice tests and I guess it shows. In my defense I was getting low to mid 20's on all of the practice tests so I wasn't worried about it. I've also always been good at math...or at least I thought I was. This section was wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy harder than any of the practice tests and I swear I had like 20 word problems. Simply ran out of time in this section and guessed on the last 10 to 15 problems (guess I'm not lucky lol) since I was doin all the word problems. Hoping that schools tomorrow tell me that QR isn't that important to them since I've heard this is true for some schools but 14 might be pushing it. I also heard that the DAT QR was made more difficult last year and that schools were told to expect lower QR scores by the ADA. Is this true?

RC: Didn't do a single practice exam for this but I've always been good at it.

GC and OC: Only used Kaplan BB and topscore. I felt that it was similar to topscore difficulty wise. The 2007 ADA practice test was easier I think, since I got mid 20's on the sciences on that yesterday and a 26 in math. I had a lot of reactions in OC which I wasn't expecting so much.

Bio: Basically only used Kaplan and topscore for this section too. Used Cliff's AP bio to clarify a few things but I wish I would have studied that more. There were definitely a few WTF questions that I've never seen before but oh well. One of the questions was word for word, same answer choices, from one of the practice tests I took....I don't remember which test but I could try to look it up.

Anyways....my big question is should I retake it? Do schools care that much about QR? I'm a Wisconsin resident and my first choice is Marquette which usually has like 200 WI residents apply for 40 spots so the chances of getting in there are pretty good for WI residents. I also plan on applying to Pittsburgh, Louisville, Iowa, Minnesota, Arizona School of Dentistry, Case Western, UNLV, Chicago, Western University of Health....what are my chances? Thanks in advanced for your replies.

 

[FLOSS UR TEETH]

Don't worry about qr.. it is the least looked at by most d schools. With that said, I have seen manyyyy people get in with 14 on their qr section. Your RC is fantastic.. and everything else is pretty solid. The organic is on the lower end, but with your GPA you should be fine. Good job!

 

[Waldo2012]

That's tough about having to go to work. I hope things work out for you. I have heard that schools don't care much about QR so hopefully you will be okay. I'll be interested what the schools say when you ask.

What method did you use for RC? That's a good score for no practice.

Could you also post scores from your practice tests?

 

[ll REVOFEV ll]

For RC I just used search and destroy. I thought that my passages were all really easy and S&D worked perfectly. I never really had a strategy for QR...more like just sit down and try to solve all of the problems and usually I did fine. It seemed like on the topscore and kaplan practice tests that there were always like 10 gimme questions that I flew right threw no problem. On the actual test there wasn't a single one that I would have said was easy. A lot of word problems which I'm not really all that good at obviously lol. On my practice tests I was getting anywhere from 16 to 19 on all of the science sections. I got a 14 on OC before I started studying for the five days. On math though I was getting from 21 to 26 on the tests which is why I didn't study much for it. I didn't do any RC practice and for PAT I was getting around 19 to 21 on all the topscore tests. I don't have my exact scores since I erased them. I'll post what all the schools say tomorrow about the QR score. I've heard from others that Marquette likes high GPA's over high DAT scores so that is a bonus for me lol.

 

[FLOSS UR TEETH]

Did you mean RC for strategy or QR? If you meant RC I just used search and destroy. I thought that my passages were all really easy and S&D worked perfectly. I never really had a strategy for QR...more like just sit down and try to solve all of the problems and usually I did fine. It seemed like on the topscore and kaplan practice tests that there were always like 10 gimme questions that I flew right threw no problem. On the actual test there wasn't a single one that I would have said was easy. A lot of word problems which I'm not really all that good at obviously lol. On my practice tests I was getting anywhere from 16 to 19 on all of the science sections. I got a 14 on OC before I started studying for the five days. On math though I was getting from 21 to 26 on the tests which is why I didn't study much for it. I didn't do any RC practice and for PAT I was getting around 19 to 21 on all the topscore tests. I don't have my exact scores since I erased them. I'll post what all the schools say tomorrow about the QR score. I've heard from others that Marquette likes high GPA's over high DAT scores so that is a bonus for me lol.

your straight bro I wouldn't wry.. call the schools up like you said.. also you only studied for 5 days? Anyways, it looks like you got other things to compensate for something that is really not all that bad

 

[ll REVOFEV ll]

your straight bro I wouldn't wry.. call the schools up like you said.. also you only studied for 5 days? Anyways, it looks like you got other things to compensate for something that is really not all that bad

Well I studied for the month of december while I was on winter break. Studied semi hardcore but nothing really crazy. I'd say I put in like 4 to 8 hours a day for like 3 weeks. Then I took the 3 to 4 months off of studying to focus on school for the semester (worked lol got another 4.0...and got the top grade in my bio statistics class out of like 60 students) and after that I studied for five days like 6 to 10 hours per day......then took the DAT at 1pm today! Actually sat there for like 8 to 12 hours a day but spent a lot of time texting my girlfriend and on these forums.

 

[ll REVOFEV ll]

Anyone else? Suggestions? Opinions? Advice? I'll be calling the schools soon so I'll update after I'm done with that.

 

[dentalWorks]

Well... call Marquette (since this is ur #1) and ask their opinion whether you should retake or not.... Make sure you tell them about the 26 in RC

Overall, you have superb numbers (GPA, sGPA, DAT, and HUGE reading)

 

[ll REVOFEV ll]

I was waiting for you to reply dentalWorks lol....Thanks!

 

[ll REVOFEV ll]

So far for people that were interested in what schools said:

Marquette told me they want everything in the upper teen to low 20's range but they encourage me not to retake it. 👍
Minnesota said they didn't want to tell me because I could make an argument both ways.....the guy wasn't very friendly. 👎
Case told me they want everything 18 or above but with my GPA that I was still competitive. She did say though that they look at math as the least important section. They also said though that I should consider a retake. 👎
Arizona.....no answer.....probably on lunch break.
I'm going to finish calling the rest of the schools and I'm going to call Arizona again at 1 when people are off their lunch breaks. I'll keep everyone updated.

 

[ll REVOFEV ll]

I'm going to finish calling schools right now! Any more advice from anyone? Thanks!



Update: I'm going to email schools instead of calling them because people aren't being very friendly and they seem annoyed that I'm even asking them about it. Maybe it's because it's Friday lol.

 

[ll REVOFEV ll]

I looked up which test the question that was word for word came from and it was from the 2007 ADA free practice DAT. I won't say which question it was but it was from that test.

 

[elaine]

do you have any of your books available

 

[ll REVOFEV ll]

I have the Kaplan BB and cliffs AP bio book.....but I don't know yet if I'm going to retake or not. I can let you know Tuesday after I meet with the director of admissions at marquette.

 

[ll REVOFEV ll]

Any more advice anyone? I'm still unsure as to what I should do.

 

[dentalWorks]

I'm going to finish calling schools right now! Any more advice from anyone? Thanks!



Update: I'm going to email schools instead of calling them because people aren't being very friendly and they seem annoyed that I'm even asking them about it. Maybe it's because it's Friday lol.

continue calling... I wouldn't email them because of legal reasons lol.

If they respond (via email) that you SHOULDN'T retake.... and eventually you get a rejection, its liability issue.... I imagine most email responses will hint toward a retake (even tho thats not the best course of action), or they'll just ignore you.

Just keep calling them. When they first pick up, ask to see if you can speak to an admission adviser, if they ask you directly "what do you want to know"... explain to them your situation.

 

[ll REVOFEV ll]

Thanks for the advice! I didn't think of the email situation in that sense! I emailed them......probably won't hear anything back lol (I almost hope I don't now because I don't want them to respond to my email and then call them about it too). I'll wait until Tuesday next week and if I don't hear back from schools I'll call them. If they email me back about it and tell me to retake should I call them also for clarification? Maybe call and tell them what they said in the email a little bit, and then ask where they want my scores to be or things of that nature and then bring it back to if I should retake or not?

 

[ll REVOFEV ll]

I mean according to Marquette I don't have to....they actually told me not to and that a 14 in one section would not keep me from getting an interview. Are other schools honestly that much more strict about scores?

 

[FLOSS UR TEETH]

I mean according to Marquette I don't have to....they actually told me not to and that a 14 in one section would not keep me from getting an interview. Are other schools honestly that much more strict about scores?

honestly man, I really think you are fine. Like DentalWORKS said, speaking from a liability stand point, many of these schools might "suggest" you to re-take so they don't have to worry about you coming back, if you are rejected, blaming it on them.. if they do reject you, however, it's most likely for another reason.. you also don't want to risk going down in any of those sections because you scored high in a few so also think about that.. as far as QR goes.. like I said before, I have many friends who got in last year (and I am talking about very well known schools such as UNC) with 14's and 15's on their math.. and even a lower AA than you! Looking at your picture, I suspect you are not a URM and neither were any of my friends so maybe this can relate to your situation.

If this is REALLY bothering you, another alternative will be to look at each individual dental school's website that you are applying to and they should list any cut offs they might have. Many websites even list averages for the sections and you can even refer to ADA's Official Guide of d-schools for more info on that. So, long story short, wait to hear back from those schools you contacted and decide from there. Honestly, IMO, you should get into somewhere with your stats.. but it's all up to you with what you decide.. best of luck buddy.

 

[ll REVOFEV ll]

honestly man, I really think you are fine. Like DentalWORKS said, speaking from a liability stand point, many of these schools might "suggest" you to re-take so they don't have to worry about you coming back, if you are rejected, blaming it on them.. if they do reject you, however, it's most likely for another reason.. you also don't want to risk going down in any of those sections because you scored high in a few so also think about that.. as far as QR goes.. like I said before, I have many friends who got in last year (and I am talking about very well known schools such as UNC) with 14's and 15's on their math.. and even a lower AA than you! Looking at your picture, I suspect you are not a URM and neither were any of my friends so maybe this can relate to your situation.

If this is REALLY bothering you, another alternative will be to look at each individual dental school's website that you are applying to and they should list any cut offs they might have. Many websites even list averages for the sections and you can even refer to ADA's Official Guide of d-schools for more info on that. So, long story short, wait to hear back from those schools you contacted and decide from there. Honestly, IMO, you should get into somewhere with your stats.. but it's all up to you with what you decide.. best of luck buddy.

Thanks man! Pretty much what Marquette said right there lol. The people at Marquette were by far the friendliest and most helpful out of the four schools I talked to yesterday. She said that retaking it runs the risk of getting lower scores in other sections that I did well in. Also, since that is where I want to go, I am going to hold their advice a little above other schools. I appreciate your help and honesty. No I am not a URM and it's not bothering me too much (just a little bit lol)...I just want to get accepted somewhere 🙂! I don't want to take a year off of school or take an extra year of classes. Thanks again! I'm guessing I won't retake it and I'll just see what happens but my biggest fear is not getting in somewhere and having to go through getting letters, taking the DAT, and filling out applications again. Thanks again for your help and advice!

 

[dentalWorks]

Thanks for the advice! I didn't think of the email situation in that sense! I emailed them......probably won't hear anything back lol (I almost hope I don't now because I don't want them to respond to my email and then call them about it too). I'll wait until Tuesday next week and if I don't hear back from schools I'll call them. If they email me back about it and tell me to retake should I call them also for clarification? Maybe call and tell them what they said in the email a little bit, and then ask where they want my scores to be or things of that nature and then bring it back to if I should retake or not?

Well... you can try that... You should really try to get a hold of an admission adviser, and not just the person who answers the phone (they usually don't know jack)... The advisers on the other hand, these guys know their stuff.

 

[dentalWorks]

I mean according to Marquette I don't have to....they actually told me not to and that a 14 in one section would not keep me from getting an interview. Are other schools honestly that much more strict about scores?

this is good advice and... *looking forward into december 1st*... I really see this school accepting you.

As far as schools being strict about scores.... yes they all are, but there are exceptions (math being one of the exceptions). But if your QR and RC were switched, thats a retake for sure.

 

[ll REVOFEV ll]

this is good advice and... *looking forward into december 1st*... I really see this school accepting you.

As far as schools being strict about scores.... yes they all are, but there are exceptions (math being one of the exceptions). But if your QR and RC were switched, thats a retake for sure.

Ya I could see Marquette accepting me also which would make me very happy! I can pursue my dream and I would be close to home so I can see my family whenever I want to. I agree with the QR/RC switch. To be honest with you, if I would have gotten a 14 in any other category on the DAT, other than QR, I wouldn't even be considering not retaking. I would have been online that night scheduling for a retake in August.

 

[ll REVOFEV ll]

Thank you very much for your opinions and advice dentalWorks and floss ur teeth! I appreciate your help a lot!

 

[ll REVOFEV ll]

Well...if anyone was wondering....it seems like the general consensus is that I should not retake my DAT. I will apply with the scores that I have and hope for the best in interviews etc. Thanks for all of the opinions and advice.

 

[dentalWorks]

Well...if anyone was wondering....it seems like the general consensus is that I should not retake my DAT. I will apply with the scores that I have and hope for the best in interviews etc. Thanks for all of the opinions and advice.

there you have it...

By the way... I coulda sworn there were other posts in this thread... did someone delete them?

 

[ll REVOFEV ll]

There was another thread too....maybe you're thinkin of that one? This one I posted my scores the other one I asked if I should apply early with these scores or apply late with better scores.