Meant to post this here instead of Pre-Dental: Out of curiosity, do schools take into account your major when they're looking at your DAT scores? Obviously, the score is the score, but are they more critical of a Bio/Chem major who's taken upper level courses getting an 18 TS vs. a liberal arts major who's taken just prereqs getting an 18 TS? I'm sure they're supposed to look at it the same, but people often have biases.
DAT scores based on major
- Thread starter head2heel
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They really don't.
It's not a matter of biases: they have wonderful digital devices that allow them to list their applicants by order of descending GPA & DAT score. They just cut off those who score too low for their liking, and then proceed from there.
Biases come into account after they've cut off the low-scorers.
Granted, I imagine that there's some bias on that end, insofar as - whatever your score is - they want to accept people that won't wash out and lose them tuition money. Which, naturally, means they'd prefer people with a solid grounding in the sciences. That's not to say they necessarily want bio majors, but certainly biochem + anatomy is preferable to victorian theater.
It's not a matter of biases: they have wonderful digital devices that allow them to list their applicants by order of descending GPA & DAT score. They just cut off those who score too low for their liking, and then proceed from there.
Biases come into account after they've cut off the low-scorers.
Granted, I imagine that there's some bias on that end, insofar as - whatever your score is - they want to accept people that won't wash out and lose them tuition money. Which, naturally, means they'd prefer people with a solid grounding in the sciences. That's not to say they necessarily want bio majors, but certainly biochem + anatomy is preferable to victorian theater.
^ Right, I realize this only pertains to people who have made the cutoff. Would they expect better scores from science majors and be more critical if they don't have high scores (20+) in those subjects? e.g. Would they look at the same scores differently, say a 18 or 19, from a Biochem major vs. theatre geek?
It wouldnt make sense for them to be more critical on the science majors because in some cases, people take the DAT right after these basic prerequisites and not after upper-division classes. They wouldnt be able to say "this person only got this score and theyre a science major" because that person may have not taken all of the classes. We all know the DAT is based on basic science classes but based on everyones breakdowns, its evident that a physio class (for example) would help us greatly on the test.
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i believe the DAT is supposed to be the great equalizer for ALL majors. Its the standard test that the scores alone will determine your compatibility for dental school, no matter what major you are. So im guessing that the schools will not correlate your score to your major?
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Correct. The point of the DAT is that everyone now stands on equal footing (or at least as equal as a standardized test can get). The DAT will (or is "supposed" to) validate your GPA in some sense-- if you got a 4.0 from podunk-freeforall university and you get a 12 on your DAT, then adcoms will know something about grading and your courses. Majors too-- if you got a 4.0 in basket weaving and a 12 on your DAT, then adcoms will know your science is not up to snuff.
But you guys shouldn't automatically look down on us basket weavers. I'm an English major and only took intro bio I and II and ended up getting a 23 bio on my DAT. Just because you chose not to be a science major doesn't mean you can't handle science.
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They don't even look at the % yet alone your major. If someone decided he/she wanted to study liberal arts instead of biochemistry that was his/her choice and that doesn't and shouldn't affect how people will evaluate his/her DAT scores.
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How about based on height, weight, hat size?
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mmmmmmmmmmm
I did not mean anything like that at all. Sorry if it came across that way. Since major is a statistically relevant part of your application, I was just wondering if there is a [subconscious] preference adcoms have. I know it shouldn't matter and depends on the individual applicant. I guess I'm slightly worried that since I'm not a science major, I'd need a higher score to prove myself.
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