DAT Good Enough?

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dentstudent 2015

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Hi Everyone!

I have heard mixed advice, so I wanted to post on here, and learn others opinions. I took the DAT back in July my scores are:
AA 19
TS 20
BIO 21
GEN 20
OC 20
RC 19
QR 17
PA 17
I know that for allot of schools 17 is the cut off, so I am at the minimum for two subscores, which I am not too happy about. Overall, I would think that my scores are competitive, but I am still unsure about how competitive they really are. Just a brief background about other factors that would be included in my application are:
GPA Overall 3.99 Sci 3.98
Involved in several clubs during college...also had leadership positions
Two summers of undergraduate research
service trip in Africa (non health related)
I am currently completing a year of service, so theoretically I would have 1700 hours of community service completed by the end of the year.
I also shadow in a dental office frequently.

Based on my DAT scores, resume, and GPA I was wondering what you all think about my chances of gaining acceptance into dental school. I am holding off on applying now, but want to apply early for the next cycle.
 
I think if you can apply early next cycle, I think you have a very good shot at getting interviews in my honest opinion. You did well in all your sciences and RC which was most important to me. Good luck!
 
I have almost exactly same DAT scores and gpa as you out of 9 schools I applied to 7 have called my for interview would have been 8 but one wants a particular info from me before calling me for interview. Anyways, I say all these to say you have a really good shot apply early next year, have enough EC , good Personal statement and you should get interviews but for acceptances I don't know yet because I don't have any yet since it is not yet December. Good luck
 
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I have almost exactly same DAT scores and gpa as you out of 9 schools I applied to 7 have called my for interview would have been 8 but one wants a particular info from me before calling me for interview. Anyways, I say all these to say you have a really good shot apply early next year, have enough EC , good Personal statement and you should get interviews but for acceptances I don't know yet because I don't have any yet since it not yet December. Good luck
Thank you for your reply! I really appreciate it! It is great to hear that you have been called for interviews! I am going to be sure to take my time with my application and push for solid LOR's. Since I did struggle in those two subsections, I need to be sure that when I send in the application it is done really well. I used Crack the Dat (PAT) to prepare for the PAT, but I felt that the Key Holes were significantly tougher on the real thing, and overall I just had a rough day with PAT. I was not anticipating the 17. As far as the math goes, the timing was my biggest struggle when I was completing practice tests. 40 questions in 45 minutes, it is super fast past. Thanks again for the reply!
 
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Your GPA easily makes up for your 2 17s in my opinion; just apply broadly and early.
Thank for your input! That is pretty much what I have heard. I am just going to take my time with my application now, so that it can be submitted early when the next cycle opens. I am hopeful for some interviews. Thanks again!
 
I have almost exactly same DAT scores and gpa as you out of 9 schools I applied to 7 have called my for interview would have been 8 but one wants a particular info from me before calling me for interview. Anyways, I say all these to say you have a really good shot apply early next year, have enough EC , good Personal statement and you should get interviews but for acceptances I don't know yet because I don't have any yet since it is not yet December. Good luck
Hi There,
Have you heard back from the school you received interviews from? Hoping for the best!
 
You're set. Your DAT scores are definitely respectable and even more so with your great GPA. Plus with all the volunteer experience you have, I think you're good to go for next cycle.
 
Hi There,
Have you heard back from the school you received interviews from? Hoping for the best!

Yes I heard back from them. I ended up getting called for interviews from 8 of the schools I applied to,attended 5 of them and got accepted to all 5. So Keep your head up,apply early and you should be good to go.
 
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