DAT done 6/6

[cesarina]

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Here are my scores:

PAT 20 (73.8)
QR 20 (88.3)
RC 20 (65.5)
Bio 22 (95.8)
GC 28 (99)😎
OC 20 (76.2)
TS 22 (94.8)
AA 22 (95.7)

I guess Gen Chem helped a lot in terms of my TS score...
I'm wondering if they would look positively at my GC score or maybe just think I got lucky (looking at my OC and Bio scores...)
Well anyway I don't want to retake and go through the pain again so I'm sticking with these scores 😀

Right now I have a few of questions:

1. I have heard from a dentist I shadowed say that we have to apply on the very first day the application cycle starts or our chances are reduced drastically. Since I'm still working on my personal statement and researching every dental school's requirements, I might not be able to sent out my application until the end of June. Is that considered too late for early decision?

2. My GPA is around 3.3~3.4 and science gpa is lower, probably around 3🙁
With my DAT scores, can someone tell my what my chances are ?

3. Some schools require 100+ hours of shadowing experience. Are those requirements strict? i only have 35+ hours of shadowing does that mean I shouldn't even bother send them my application? Even though the real "shadowing" experience I had was only 35, I have worked in a foreign dental office as an assistant/ receptionist for over 100 hours, can this count towards my shadowing time?

Still can't fully relax now (and now i'm thinking tetanus and tonus... what has bio done to me?? lol ) Can't wait until the moment that I hit "Submit" !

 

[ushaseos]

0) No school will put a lot of emphasis on GC. They'll take on look at your scores and say "20+ everything, alright lets see the rest of the application". They might see your lower Sci GPA and juxtapose that with your excellent DAT scores...either way a high score like yours will only help you out. Congrats on completing the DAT!

1) That wouldn't be early but if that's the soonest, don't worry about it. Try to get it in ASAP.

2) Anybody's guess really. If the school wants to be GPA centric then they'll do that regardless of DAT. If they care more about DAT they'll love you because your scores are great. Low-ish GPA isn't a death sentence but highly competitive schools will try to find fault with every little thing you have

3) Sorry but I don't know the answer to this one. Unless you get a Dentist letter I don't see how they can verify any claims, but if they have their mystical ways and they find out you misrepresented the truth it'll suck.

 

[clcrdh08]

End of June is not late. That's when I'm applying. As long as your application is on their desk(schools you applying for) by Sept. 1st you are in the 1st batch for interviews. So calculate... if the ADEA takes 8 weeks to process do the math. I've been down this road before.

 

[cesarina]

Thanks so much for the replies! I'm a little more assured! As for the shadowing hours I guess I should just call the dental schools to find out more information on that. Now I just have to come up with a killer personal statement
I would probably spend more time on ochem to memorize as many reactions as possible, but spend no less time on bio since for that subject it's the more you study the higher score you get imo.

 

[jiejsun]

From what I heard from counselor, end of June is not late at all. I think DAT scores don't even show up on ur Aadsas application site until later this month. I'm planning to submit application by end of June too. A well prepared application is far better than a rushed one.

 

[TheDentist16]

Congrats on the solid DAT scores! Your first two questions were pretty thoroughly answered. The third one, about the strictness of volunteer hours, really depends on the school. Some schools (such as Loma Linda) actually require 100+ hours of volunteer/shadowing, while other schools recommend 100+ hours. Loma Linda is really strict about it, while other schools who "recommend" volunteering aren't as strict. I would definitely call the respective admissions committees of the schools you are interested in and ask what their policy on volunteering hours is.

 

[SSD1]

Were the passages numbered on RC?

Thanks!