DAT RETAKE????

[jhan17]

Hi guys,

I just took my DAT this past Friday and got these scores: 22AA 24TS (21OC,23BIO,27GC) 22QR, 17RC, 23PAT

I know my scores aren't bad except my really low RC, but I am really hoping to go Ivy League (Harvard, Columbia, UPENN) or California (UCSF or UCLA) schools. I want to blame my low RC to the fact that I was born in Korea and was naturalized by joining the US Army, but I don't know whether this is a minus or plus when applying for dental school. I normally do get around 19-20..

My GPA is 3.9(BCP3.8), and I am a ROTC cadet attending the University of Alabama under Army Green to Gold Program, so I am an Active Duty soldier finishing up my undergraduate so I can commission this May as 2nd Lt. I will be working as an Active Duty Medical Service officer until I go to dental school next Fall.

My experience is that when I was Enlisted my job in the Army was Dental Specialist, so I worked in different dental clinics for about 18 months, and then I got picked up to come here. Also, I have done research for almost two years.

Anyway, given my background and excellent LORs (2 from professors and 3 from Army dentists), what are my chances and do you think I should retake my DAT?

Thank you reading and any input will be appreciated!!!!

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[missdiana]

Mainly schools look at AA, TS, PAT
Your scores are good. I wouldn't worry about that. if you want to address it, then talk about your heritage. But don't sweat about it. You are very competituve applicant and i am sure you will do well this cycle.

 

[deleted678432]

Absolutely not


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[jhan17]

Mainly schools look at AA, TS, PAT
Your scores are good. I wouldn't worry about that. if you want to address it, then talk about your heritage. But don't sweat about it. You are very competituve applicant and i am sure you will do well this cycle.

Thank you for your hopeful words!!

 

[jhan17]

Absolutely not


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but wouldn't schools like Harvard and Columbia be very critical of my RC score?
Thank you for your input tho!

 

[Likkriue]

Someone on SDN got in with a 17 rc. The fact that you are Asian probably impacts your chances more than your RC score.

You would probably end up in UPenn of I were to take a guess.

 

[x0jessmariex3]

FWIW I just applied last cycle and got interviews at Penn and Columbia. My GPA was 3.9 and AA 20 TS 20 PAT 25 and RC 17. I think you should definitely get some interviews and maybe even at the ivy leagues you want.

 

[jhan17]

Someone on SDN got in with a 17 rc. The fact that you are Asian probably impacts your chances more than your RC score.

You would probably end up in UPenn of I were to take a guess.

In a negative way?

 

[jhan17]

FWIW I just applied last cycle and got interviews at Penn and Columbia. My GPA was 3.9 and AA 20 TS 20 PAT 25 and RC 17. I think you should definitely get some interviews and maybe even at the ivy leagues you want.

How did the interview go if you don't mind me asking??

Thanks!

 

[dr.d00m]

In a negative way?

Asians are considered a "over-represented minority", so that's not really doing you any favors and definitely won't increase your chances. But for the most part, it shouldn't really hinder your application either.

 

[x0jessmariex3]

How did the interview go if you don't mind me asking??

Thanks!

At Penn and Columbia? It went well. I thought they were pretty laid back. Penn has 2 faculty interviews and Columbia has just one. I got accepted to Columbia and "waitlisted" at Penn.

 

[jhan17]

At Penn and Columbia? It went well. I thought they were pretty laid back. Penn has 2 faculty interviews and Columbia has just one. I got accepted to Columbia and "waitlisted" at Penn.

wow! congratulations! which dental school are you going then??

 

[x0jessmariex3]

wow! congratulations! which dental school are you going then??

I will be going to my IS at Rutgers

 

[deleted678432]

but wouldn't schools like Harvard and Columbia be very critical of my RC score?
Thank you for your input tho!

You shouldn't retake this test in hopes of impressing one extra school. These scores will get you places. I'm hypocritical to say this, but theres more schools out there than just the big gun Ivy Leagues. From my unprofessional opinion, however, your scores look like they match that of a competitive Ivy applicant

 

[jhan17]

I will be going to my IS at Rutgers

Congrats and wish you the best!