Do I have a chance?? -18AA, 18TS

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flosslikeaboss1

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Hi Guys! I'm trying to get some opinions on whether or not I have any chance of getting in anywhere with my current stats. This is my third time applying (yikes) but had previously applied with very low DAT scores and a low undergrad GPA. I have since completed an accelerated 9-month masters, retaken my DAT (on 8/19), have over 200+ hours of shadowing a general dentist, over 1000+ volunteering and service hours, and currently work as medical scribe getting clinical experience. As a side note, my state does not have any dental schools (public or private) so also feel like I am at a big disadvantage already.. trying to stay positive but realistic! Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Undergrad cumulative/ science: 2.95/ 2.90
Graduate cumulative/ science: 3.45/3.45

Overall: 3.07

Old DAT scores: AA: 16, TS 15
Bio: 15
Gen Chem: 15
Orgo: 16
PAT: 16
RC: 17
QR: 15

New DAT scores: AA:18, TS:18
Bio: 18
Gen Chem: 16
Orgo: 21
PAT: 17
RC: 19
QR: 17


*** I sent in my apps around the second week of July to the following 11 schools:
UNE, BU, Tufts, UCONN, Buffalo, Touro, Rutgers, LECOM, VCU, Roseman, & Western
 
Surprised no one answered this yet. Honestly, don’t ask for others opinions unless they’re on the admissions committee. You can possibly still get interviews with that score but it really depends when you apply and how strong your application is.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Bluecell said:
Surprised no one answered this yet. Honestly, don’t ask for others opinions unless they’re on the admissions committee. You can possibly still get interviews with that score but it really depends when you apply and how strong your application is.
Click to expand...
Thank you for replying! I submitted apps on July 31st so praying for something!!
 
From what I know, you can’t have anything below a 17 (possible exception for QR)
Seeing that you got a 16 on GC, you have absolutely no shot of getting in.
Call the schools and ask

Your GPA is fine. If schools will still consider your DAT, I’d say you have a slim shot at all the schools you applied except Rutgers, BU, and Buffalo. Absolutely no chance there.
Also don’t think your chances aren’t much better for the rest
You need to retake the DAT
 
Just from my own personal experience... (Applied twice with an 18) You definitely should retake. You never know but I never got an interview when I had an 18AA at many of the schools on your list. If you do not get in this cycle definitely plan on retaking and shooting for at least a 20AA. Do you have a chance? - I suppose you have a chance but I don’t know if it’s realistic. I just don’t want you to get your hopes up. The DAT is a beast but you can definitely conquer it!!! Best of luck to you on this journey. I’m rooting for you!
 
predent2024 said:
Just from my own personal experience... (Applied twice with an 18) You definitely should retake. You never know but I never got an interview when I had an 18AA at many of the schools on your list. If you do not get in this cycle definitely plan on retaking and shooting for at least a 20AA. Do you have a chance? - I suppose you have a chance but I don’t know if it’s realistic. I just don’t want you to get your hopes up. The DAT is a beast but you can definitely conquer it!!! Best of luck to you on this journey. I’m rooting for you!
Click to expand...

What were your scores all around with that 18 AA if you don’t mind me asking.
 
predent2024 said:
18AA
18TS
18 Bio
19 Gen Chem
16 Orgo
16 QR
21 RC
17 PAT
Click to expand...

I had a similar score my first time.
18 AA
18 TS
17 Bio
18 GC
19 Orgo
15 QR
21 RC
18 PAT

Second time I took it..
19 AA
20 TS
20 Bio
19 GC
21 Orgo
15 QR
18 RC
19 PAT

Not sure if I should be worried for the reading and QR. my cGPA is 3.55 and sGPA is 3.45
 
Bluecell said:
I had a similar score my first time.
18 AA
18 TS
17 Bio
18 GC
19 Orgo
15 QR
21 RC
18 PAT

Second time I took it..
19 AA
20 TS
20 Bio
19 GC
21 Orgo
15 QR
18 RC
19 PAT

Not sure if I should be worried for the reading and QR. my cGPA is 3.55 and sGPA is 3.45
Click to expand...
Definitely improvement! Have you been invited to any schools to interview this cycle?
 
predent2024 said:
Definitely improvement! Have you been invited to any schools to interview this cycle?
Click to expand...

My application was verified on August 9, I submitted supplementaries for the rest of schools on August 19 and for 3 of the 12 schools in August 10. Still never heard back.
 
giannis said:
you clearly didn't read my whole post
Click to expand...

One of my friends go to IUSD and she said someone in her class received a 15 on biology section. I don’t think anyone can get in with a 16 TS though.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
giannis said:
From what I know, you can’t have anything below a 17 (possible exception for QR)
Seeing that you got a 16 on GC, you have absolutely no shot of getting in.
Call the schools and ask

Your GPA is fine. If schools will still consider your DAT, I’d say you have a slim shot at all the schools you applied except Rutgers, BU, and Buffalo. Absolutely no chance there.
Also don’t think your chances aren’t much better for the rest
You need to retake the DAT
Click to expand...
How can you say that with such confidence as if you're an adcom?
 
Well, I purchased the ADEA Dental School Explorer and beg to differ @giannis .
 
Last edited:
butterchkn said:
Well, I purchased the ADEA Dental School Explorer and beg to differ @Bluecell.
Click to expand...

Beg to differ with what?
Are you talking about someone getting in with a 16 TS? I mean anything is possible, I believe that. I just feel like the chances are super slim with a 16 TS especially when it’s weighted the second heaviest.
 
There's no real cause and effect with DAT scores - all just correlations. The only exception is if a particular school has a cut off score, which some do, so I would research which schools do not. I would spend less time on SDN and meet with a pre-health councilor at the closest university that can help navigate your dental school application and help you optimize how you fill it out. I scored a 25 RC/23 PAT/24 TS (21 bio, 27 gchem, 26 ochem)/22 QR/ 24AA with a 3.7 master's GPA. I didn't get in to any schools last year, but was rejected w/ interview at one. I met with a councilor, and vastly improved how I constructed my application as well as applied to twice as many schools this year.

Point being - Meet with a pre-health councilor, meet with people from school admissions, and don't rely on SDN where nobody has figured out the algorithm to acceptance. People with under 2.7 GPAs and low DAT scores get in. The only real thing you can say is having a high DAT and high GPA will more likely get someone into dental school than not.
 
Last edited:
B4SS said:
There's no real cause and effect with DAT scores - all just correlations. The only except is if a particular school has a cut off score, which some do, so I would research which schools do not. I would spend less time on SDN and meet with a pre-health councilor at the closest university that can help navigate your dental school application and help you optimize how you fill it out. I scored a 25 RC/23 PAT/24 TS (21 bio, 27 gchem, 26 ochem)/22 QR/ 24AA with a 3.7 master's GPA. I didn't get in to any schools last year, but was rejected w/o interview at one. I met with a councilor, and vastly improved how I constructed my application as well as applied to twice as many schools this year.

Point being - Meet with a pre-health councilor, meet with people from school admissions, and don't rely on SDN where nobody has figured out the algorithm to acceptance. People with under 2.7 GPAs and low DAT schools get in. The only real thing you can say is having a high DAT and high GPA will more likely get someone into dental school than not.
Click to expand...

I think SDN is cancer for applicants. Too many people sugar coat their stats (not all, but there is people like that on here).
 
B4SS said:
There's no real cause and effect with DAT scores - all just correlations. The only except is if a particular school has a cut off score, which some do, so I would research which schools do not. I would spend less time on SDN and meet with a pre-health councilor at the closest university that can help navigate your dental school application and help you optimize how you fill it out. I scored a 25 RC/23 PAT/24 TS (21 bio, 27 gchem, 26 ochem)/22 QR/ 24AA with a 3.7 master's GPA. I didn't get in to any schools last year, but was rejected w/o interview at one. I met with a councilor, and vastly improved how I constructed my application as well as applied to twice as many schools this year.

Point being - Meet with a pre-health councilor, meet with people from school admissions, and don't rely on SDN where nobody has figured out the algorithm to acceptance. People with under 2.7 GPAs and low DAT schools get in. The only real thing you can say is having a high DAT and high GPA will more likely get someone into dental school than not.
Click to expand...

Also, what did you mean by not getting any interviews and then one rejection w/o interview?
 
flosslikeaboss1 said:
Hi Guys! I'm trying to get some opinions on whether or not I have any chance of getting in anywhere with my current stats. This is my third time applying (yikes) but had previously applied with very low DAT scores and a low undergrad GPA. I have since completed an accelerated 9-month masters, retaken my DAT (on 8/19), have over 200+ hours of shadowing a general dentist, over 1000+ volunteering and service hours, and currently work as medical scribe getting clinical experience. As a side note, my state does not have any dental schools (public or private) so also feel like I am at a big disadvantage already.. trying to stay positive but realistic! Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Undergrad cumulative/ science: 2.95/ 2.90
Graduate cumulative/ science: 3.45/3.45

Overall: 3.07

Old DAT scores: AA: 16, TS 15
Bio: 15
Gen Chem: 15
Orgo: 16
PAT: 16
RC: 17
QR: 15

New DAT scores: AA:18, TS:18
Bio: 18
Gen Chem: 16
Orgo: 21
PAT: 17
RC: 19
QR: 17


*** I sent in my apps around the second week of July to the following 11 schools:
UNE, BU, Tufts, UCONN, Buffalo, Touro, Rutgers, LECOM, VCU, Roseman, & Western
Click to expand...
Realistically,
flosslikeaboss1 said:
Hi Guys! I'm trying to get some opinions on whether or not I have any chance of getting in anywhere with my current stats. This is my third time applying (yikes) but had previously applied with very low DAT scores and a low undergrad GPA. I have since completed an accelerated 9-month masters, retaken my DAT (on 8/19), have over 200+ hours of shadowing a general dentist, over 1000+ volunteering and service hours, and currently work as medical scribe getting clinical experience. As a side note, my state does not have any dental schools (public or private) so also feel like I am at a big disadvantage already.. trying to stay positive but realistic! Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Undergrad cumulative/ science: 2.95/ 2.90
Graduate cumulative/ science: 3.45/3.45

Overall: 3.07

Old DAT scores: AA: 16, TS 15
Bio: 15
Gen Chem: 15
Orgo: 16
PAT: 16
RC: 17
QR: 15

New DAT scores: AA:18, TS:18
Bio: 18
Gen Chem: 16
Orgo: 21
PAT: 17
RC: 19
QR: 17


*** I sent in my apps around the second week of July to the following 11 schools:
UNE, BU, Tufts, UCONN, Buffalo, Touro, Rutgers, LECOM, VCU, Roseman, & Western
Click to expand...
Realistically, you have a fair chance. The schools you applied to recognize and appreciate improvement and determination. Be patient, don’t call the schools. Keep working hard. Don’t give up. Good luck.
 
Aarob said:
Realistically,

Realistically, you have a fair chance. The schools you applied to recognize and appreciate improvement and determination. Be patient, don’t call the schools. Keep working hard. Don’t give up. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the encouragement and kind words!
 
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