DAT DONE...chances

[pupsingh]

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ok so i finished my DAT today:

QR: 18
RC: 21
PAT: 15 ( disgusting)
BIO: 18
GCHEM: 18
OCHEM: 17
Academic average: 18

gpa 3.14
sci gpa 3.0

should i even bother applying with that pat score:

 

[informatique]

What materials did you use to study? To be honest, your GPA is below average, so I would retake the DAT and try to score 20+ on all sections. Your AA and TS are below average as well. If you really study hard and use more study materials, I'm sure you can score higher.

I'm a first time applicant and cannot give you a sure answer, but I'm pretty sure a retake would be necessary.

 

[Lopyswine]

save your money wait a year and take some more classes, shadow, volunteer, and RETAKE the DAT. Unless you're a minority, don't bother this year.

Unless you have a few grand to spend and you want some good experience for next year.

 

[Kkae]

Not necessarily, it depends on the schools u intend on applying to. If u want more competitive scores feel free to re-take but at least give it a try first. REMEMBER, ur app to dental school isn't solely on academics. If u have a strong P.S, if u possess qualities in which they look for u might be good to go.

Nothing tried nothing done--at least try.
(just my 2 cents)

 

[swellguy]

Your GPA and DAT are both below average for acceptance at most schools so that could be pretty tough to overcome. Also your PAT is pretty low and a lot of schools have automatic cutoffs. There certainly is more then numbers to a good applicant, but they certainly matter. It would be a shame if you were otherwise a good applicant and spent tons of money applying and then got dumped in the automatic reject pile. I'd do some research into the schools you were thinking about applying to to see about DAT cutoffs and think seriously about studying hard and retaking the DAT.

 

[Stoked]

Hey I had very similar stats and I got in so you could try. If you dont get in this year at least they will have seen your improvement over a year and know you name.

 

[pupsingh]

hey stoked do u mind sharing ur stats? u could pm it to me if you want

 

[Stoked]

QR:18
RC: 19
PAT: 18
BIO: 17
GCHEM: 19
OCHEM: 18
Academic average: 18

gpa 3.05
sci gpa 3.0

I had a bunch of volunteer hours. So even though my grades didn't really stand out I made sure other things I did, did stand out.

 

[ttom]

Stoked, if I'm not mistaken, USC do look at PAT score. Your scores are consistent across the board, and I assume you did really well during the PBL sessions. Gratz bro!
pupsingh, to be honest your scores are below average. I'm not saying your chances are zero, but it will be harder for you. I strongly recommend you study really hard for the DAT and retake it. If you think you can do well the second time, then go ahead and apply. Then send in the scores later. Your PAT score can be improved, it just takes practice.
Now for the overall assessment, in my judgment, you should wait a year. First, you can improve your GPA with a few more upper level science courses. Secondly, you'll have more time for the DAT. Finally, you can't just "apply and see what happens". Dental schools don't like applicants throwing stuffs at them. I guess they don't really care since they have cut-offs. But you gotta be serious about this! To have a good dental school application, you need to input much effort, time, and money. Now do you want to have all that efforts and in the end have all rejections? To me, that would be very depressing. So, I think it's best if you do your best this year trying to get higher DAT scores and improve your GPA. Then next year put all the effort into the application, PS, LOR, extracurricular activities, etc. By then you'll feel more confident, which in turn yields better interviews.
Either way you choose, I wish you the best!

 

[SugarNaCl]

I have to agree that your chances are slim. Improve your application and your DAT score and maybe ask schools you are interested in what you can do. Apply next cycle after you improve. You could give it a go, but honestly, it would be pretty unlikely you would get an acceptance unless luck or connections are on your side. Good luck. You can do it!

Unfortunately, it isn't JUST your PAT score. Your AA score isn't that high (average is around 19-20 now and seems higher this cycle) and your GPA is low (average is now 3.52). I think you need to shoot for above a 21 on your AA and an 18-19 on PAT on the DAT to have a decent shot. I'm not an ADCOM member though, so what do I know? 😉

Good RC score though, and that IS important for sure.

 

[jazzyb]

bump

 

[btizzels]

that PAT hurts...you can try applying and retake the test in a few months, but it might be a waste of money.

 

[eventualOMFS]

Might as well ask about my own situation here....
GPA 3.24
sGPA 3.11
AA 21
TS 20
PAT 16
Bio 19
GC 23
OC 19
QR 18
RC 27

My GPA and PAT scores are below average. I applied to 23 schools (don't have a state school). See my PreDents profile for ECs. My main two are Oral Surgery assisting for 3 years (1,000 hours) during summers and now working full time as dental assistant.

Thanks!

 

[Brownstain]

Might as well ask about my own situation here....
GPA 3.24
sGPA 3.11
AA 21
TS 20
PAT 16
Bio 19
GC 23
OC 19
QR 18
RC 27

My GPA and PAT scores are below average. I applied to 23 schools (don't have a state school). See my PreDents profile for ECs. My main two are Oral Surgery assisting for 3 years (1,000 hours) during summers and now working full time as dental assistant.

Thanks!

I don't know if you can pull off OMFS with only a 3.1 science. Being honest here dude. They pull transcripts before accepting you to med school. You're really going to have to beef up the academics in dental school if that is what you want to do, I mean really beef them up. Being top of your class with a group of people who already are top of their class is pretty challenging. Having all that experience is great, but doesn't mean squat when you apply based on clinical ability and academics.

On the other hand I do think you have enough to get a look at an undergraduate dental program.

 

[eventualOMFS]

I don't know if you can pull off OMFS with only a 3.1 science. Being honest here dude. They pull transcripts before accepting you to med school. You're really going to have to beef up the academics in dental school if that is what you want to do, I mean really beef them up. Being top of your class with a group of people who already are top of their class is pretty challenging. Having all that experience is great, but doesn't mean squat when you apply based on clinical ability and academics.

On the other hand I do think you have enough to get a look at an undergraduate dental program.

I'm actually leaning toward general dentistry now. Getting married in 5 weeks and I'll probably be ready to start a family by the end of dental school. I don't think I'll be interested in spending more time specializing. We'll see.

However, I can't change my screenname now. I wish I could, but I can't. My questions are ONLY about getting into dental school, not any specialty programs. Any more advice re: dental school admission?

 

[Brownstain]

That's a great mindset, if you like it pursue it. I thought I wanted to do a particular specialty coming in and turned out not liking it at all. It's nice to come in with an open mind. Good luck on accptance, I think you are just fine.

 

[Britty894]

Some people on here are so HARSH. Dental schools look at a lot more than just your scores. They look at your passion for dentistry and that you are a well rounded individual capable of dealing with many different people. Plus, My GPA isnt SUPER high, but I go to a really competitive college, so you cant just base GPA off of what score it is, because a 4.0 at a community college definitely is just as good as a 3.2 at my school. Just my two cents.

Dont listen to all the discouraging people, Id say go for it! Like a couple people on here said, its worth a shot this year, and if you dont make it, then theres always next year! GOOD LUCK

 

[Hugh Mannity]

Some people on here are so HARSH. Dental schools look at a lot more than just your scores. They look at your passion for dentistry and that you are a well rounded individual capable of dealing with many different people. Plus, My GPA isnt SUPER high, but I go to a really competitive college, so you cant just base GPA off of what score it is, because a 4.0 at a community college definitely is just as good as a 3.2 at my school. Just my two cents.

Dont listen to all the discouraging people, Id say go for it! Like a couple people on here said, its worth a shot this year, and if you dont make it, then theres always next year! GOOD LUCK

What do they look at then when all of their competitive applicants show a lot of passion for dentistry and are well-rounded? Do not discredit the importance of scores. Passion and well-roundedness are important for d-school, but so are grades and DAT scores.

 

[Brownstain]

What do they look at then when all of their competitive applicants show a lot of passion for dentistry and are well-rounded? Do not discredit the importance of scores. Passion and well-roundedness are important for d-school, but so are grades and DAT scores.

Yeah, I'm going to have to agree with this guy. Everyone has passion about getting into school. They are all making a huge investment not to mention 3+ years of school. Comparing things like hours of commitment is hard to do. Do you have any clue how many people are related to dentists, have access to their OS friends, ortho buddies, etc. to give their kid shadow hours. Not to mention their friends in admissions and the fact that just about everyone lies on their application about how many hours they have logged. Do they ask for a logbook? NO! So eveyone beefs is up some, hell my dentist nearly doubled the time I spent with him in my LOR.

It really all comes down to having the grades in the long run. They predict how well you will do, if you make the school look good by passing your boards, and set you apart from everyone else. It's the only thing measurable. It really doesn't matter what school you go to, the prof can make the class as difficult as she desires. Some of my hardest courses were from my local community college I took over the summer. I used to have the same mindset about "oh, I go to a hard college" they will think I'm special. Then I saw the space cadets who made it into my class based soley on the fact that they had great grades. They commuted form home, went to community collegse and branch campuses, and some can't even speak english. There are lots of people in dental school who can't even socially function, but darn they can sure memorize biochem. It's reality, you can get a long way in a poker game by playing the game, but you still have to have the cards to win the hand.

 

[IhaveUFOpics]

There are lots of people in dental school who can't even socially function, but darn they can sure memorize biochem. It's reality, you can get a long way in a poker game by playing the game, but you still have to have the cards to win the hand.

👍

Great poker analogy.