DAT done 7/1

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scatmanjeffrey

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My scores are:

PAT: 22
BIO: 20
GC: 22
OC: 21
RC: 22
QR: 20
Science: 21
Academic: 21

I used the Kaplan review course and Destroyer, but mainly the Kaplan online material and review book. I used Destroyer for the past week, but i was crunched for time, so i focused mainly on bio. I did all the bio, about half of the gen chem, and about 30 out of the 180 orgo questions. The Kaplan material was VERY helpful. I went through all the online review notes and did all the practice tests. I'd say the thick Kaplan review book is good enough for chem and orgo, but definitely not for bio. Kaplan's online bio stuff and destroyer filled in most of the blanks, but i still felt like i was a little under prepared while taking the DAT Bio.

Bio breakdown: Pretty straight forward. I didn't get any plant problems (i know a lot of people ask if they should study plants, i was one of them).

Chem: You definitely have to know how to set up for calculations (e.g. the Ka, pH problems). You don't have to solve for them, just know how to setup the equation to solve what they're asking for. This section ended up being easier than i expected because there were less calculations and more conceptual stuff. Kaplan and Destroyer helped me prepare pretty well.

Orgo: Pretty straight forward, know your reactions.

Based on my scores, what are my chances of getting into dental school? My reach school is Stony Brook, and i'm hoping to stay in or near NY, so i'll be applying to NYU and Columbia as well. I think my extracurricular stuff is solid, I started a team at my college, work as a dental assistant, have experience volunteering at different places. I also have 2 good letters of rec from 2 dentists. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
 
My scores are:

PAT: 22
BIO: 20
GC: 22
OC: 21
RC: 22
QR: 20
Science: 21
Academic: 21

I used the Kaplan review course and Destroyer, but mainly the Kaplan online material and review book. I used Destroyer for the past week, but i was crunched for time, so i focused mainly on bio. I did all the bio, about half of the gen chem, and about 30 out of the 180 orgo questions. The Kaplan material was VERY helpful. I went through all the online review notes and did all the practice tests. I'd say the thick Kaplan review book is good enough for chem and orgo, but definitely not for bio. Kaplan's online bio stuff and destroyer filled in most of the blanks, but i still felt like i was a little under prepared while taking the DAT Bio.

Bio breakdown: Pretty straight forward. I didn't get any plant problems (i know a lot of people ask if they should study plants, i was one of them).

Chem: You definitely have to know how to set up for calculations (e.g. the Ka, pH problems). You don't have to solve for them, just know how to setup the equation to solve what they're asking for. This section ended up being easier than i expected because there were less calculations and more conceptual stuff. Kaplan and Destroyer helped me prepare pretty well.

Orgo: Pretty straight forward, know your reactions.

Based on my scores, what are my chances of getting into dental school? My reach school is Stony Brook, and i'm hoping to stay in or near NY, so i'll be applying to NYU and Columbia as well. I think my extracurricular stuff is solid, I started a team at my college, work as a dental assistant, have experience volunteering at different places. I also have 2 good letters of rec from 2 dentists. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Stonybrook is likely my first choice too hopefully i will see you at the interviews. You should be good with solid consistent scores like those. Great job and good luck with the rest of your app.
 
Solid scores!!! 😀 Very nice - good luck! Now go have some fun... haha

I'm doing the Kaplan online course, and I was wondering. Do you think I should get Destroyer? I really don't want to shell out the money, but I heard by many that it's good for bio. I've also got Cliffs AP, so... is Destroyer worth it?

P.S. your chances of getting into d-school are very high!
 
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yes, i would definitely recommend destroyer. i think it did a great job in reinforcing the bio. i didn't use it much for chem, and i barely used it for orgo, so i don't know what to tell you about those sections. but for chem, it definitely does a good job at over preparing you for the DAT. i was getting 16-18 on kaplan practice tests for the bio section, so i'd say destroyer helped out a bit.
 
yes, i would definitely recommend destroyer. i think it did a great job in reinforcing the bio. i didn't use it much for chem, and i barely used it for orgo, so i don't know what to tell you about those sections. but for chem, it definitely does a good job at over preparing you for the DAT. i was getting 16-18 on kaplan practice tests for the bio section, so i'd say destroyer helped out a bit.

Thanks for the reply! I would probably use Destroyer the same way... mainly for bio. I just finished ochem, and gchem isn't too bad - Kaplan covers it really well. But I am really considering getting Destroyer now!!
 
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