DAT taken 12-28-11

[jojohygienist]

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Okay, they definitely aren't the best scores but i've seen worse. My question is are they good enough??

PAT 17😡
RC 18
QR 16
BIO 18
OC 20
GC 17
TS 18
AA 18

I need advice please on whether or not these scores stand a chance.
I haven't taken chem and bio since 2002. I have 2 degrees. I'm a returning nontraditional student and my GPA is 3.3 and science is only 3.1. I have spoken with the dean of one dental school who said my grades were fine and not to enter into any master's program. Which i was amazed he said that with all the hype of grades and all. He also said that my past DAT scores weren't that bad (16) which I was horrified and embarassed to even show them but he said that I do need to increase the score to at least a 17. I left somewhat elated and also confused thinking my chain was being yanked. I have even spoken with a current dental graduate whom I work with and he says my DAT scores are good enough. But what I'm reading on here is freaking me out. 😱
I have 4 years paid experience in the dental field as a dental hygienist, published author in RDH magazine, table clinic award winner and my work is and has been in public health.

Is there anyone out there who is or has been a similar situation and received any interviews or accepted into dental school??
Does anyone think that these scores are actually good enough?? I don't like to question but they are only representing one school.

Thanks for responding

 

[hchc]

Okay, they definitely aren't the best scores but i've seen worse. My question is are they good enough??

PAT 17😡
RC 18
QR 16
BIO 18
OC 20
GC 17
TS 18
AA 18

I need advice please on whether or not these scores stand a chance.
I haven't taken chem and bio since 2002. I have 2 degrees. I'm a returning nontraditional student and my GPA is 3.3 and science is only 3.1. I have spoken with the dean of one dental school who said my grades were fine and not to enter into any master's program. Which i was amazed he said that with all the hype of grades and all. He also said that my past DAT scores weren't that bad (16) which I was horrified and embarassed to even show them but he said that I do need to increase the score to at least a 17. I left somewhat elated and also confused thinking my chain was being yanked. I have even spoken with a current dental graduate whom I work with and he says my DAT scores are good enough. But what I'm reading on here is freaking me out. 😱
I have 4 years paid experience in the dental field as a dental hygienist, published author in RDH magazine, table clinic award winner and my work is and has been in public health.

Is there anyone out there who is or has been a similar situation and received any interviews or accepted into dental school??
Does anyone think that these scores are actually good enough?? I don't like to question but they are only representing one school.

Thanks for responding

It's hard to say, but, generally getting into dental school is a lot more competitive than it was even just a few years a go. But, if the dean says your grades are good enough then well your grades are good enough for that school. Some schools have separate paths for admittance, regular, international or special candidates. Regular candidates are usually weighted heavily on DAT and gpa scores with interviews really only there to weed out some people. You'll probably be applying as a special candidate where experience and interview is weighted a lot more than grades and dat scores. Most people who post here fall under the regular applicant pool, so keep that in mind. But, personally I think even as a special candidate your DAT score might be a bit low since your AA is only 18 and your PAT is only 17. If it were say a 19 in both or higher I think you should have a good shot as a special candidate. However your experience and being published definitely helps.

 

[minimee99]

I'm a dental hygienist too and I will provide a link that explains my background. I applied to nine schools in total and have received one rejection so far.


http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=862611

 

[jojohygienist]

I'm a dental hygienist too and I will provide a link that explains my background. I applied to nine schools in total and have received one rejection so far.


http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=862611

Thank you for sharing. I'm practically in the same boat as you. Dat-3 times, applied in 08 with all rejections, I too wonder if this dream will ever come to surface. I would like to know if you get any interviews. good luck!!

 

[minimee99]

Thank you for sharing. I'm practically in the same boat as you. Dat-3 times, applied in 08 with all rejections, I too wonder if this dream will ever come to surface. I would like to know if you get any interviews. good luck!!

I will keep you posted. Good luck to you as well!