Does anyone think I have a chance???

[phantasmagoriun]

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I just took my DAT's yesterday and didn't do so fantastic. I took th full in-class Kaplan course and did everything in it, studied for 2 months but when I got to the actual DAT, almost none of the math it tested was covered in the course (they're going refund me my money because of it). There was Trig questions I've never heard of in my life (and I've taken a fair amount of math), high level statistic questions and NO geometry! (which Kaplan continually enforced me to believe would be the biggest chunk of questions on the test) Not even a triangle question! Did I get the math section from hell? These were my scores:

PAT: 19
Bio: 17
GC: 21
OC: 19
RC: 19
QR: 11!!!
AA: 18

TO put it briefly, I want to cry since I can't really afford to wait another 90 days to take them again (no to mention the ridiculous fee). However, I have a 3.5 GPA, over 400 hours of dentist shadowing, 4 dentists in my family that have gone to schools I am applying to and I'd say pretty good extracurriculars and really great research work.

Do I have any chance at all in getting into school with a math score like that???

Schools are: UMDNJ, NYU, SUNY Stonybrook, Buffalo, UPenn, Temple, Tufts, and Boston U.

 

[PorkChop2008]

phantasmagoriun,

You have good DAT scores with the exception of your QR, relax buddy, you did well.

Getting into Dental school is more than just numbers, yes there is a certain cutoff, however don't be discouraged because your GPA and DAT scores are certainly competitive. You have a AA of 18 WITH an 11, that's good in and of itself.

Don't just look at the numbers, look at your story as well. Look at your Personal Statement, your experience, your volunteering and your contributions to your community.

Relax buddy, you'll do fine and should get a few interviews.

 

[neeno]

I think you did good job overall...congrats👍
I took kaplan course and I got kind of semilar scores but I Bombed RC (13)..still confused if I should retake or not......I had crazy bio questions never seen in kaplan....did u???😕....Hope everything will turn out FINE...Good LUCK 🙂👍

 

[fireblast713]

the cut offs will probably get you, I'd use the $$$ that Kaplan is refunding you to retake.

 

[phantasmagoriun]

The cutoffs I've been reading for the schools (the ones that publicly post them anyway) is 16 for AA, 16 for overall science, and 15 for PAT. They don't seem to mention a cut off for individual scores.... so I dunno. If I retake them it won't be till the very end of November. It feels like too close considering some of my deadlines are December 1st. I think I might just have to deal with it and if it comes down to it, I wait to next year's cycle...

 

[denticus]

Dang that 11 is nice👍.

 

[FutureDocBerg]

I agree with phan, roll with it, if not this year, next year, WE ARE DETERMINED.

 

[sportygirl]

I have almost the exact same stats and when I asked, everybody told me to retake! Anyway, with the 11, you may have to retake. I'm only saying that because I spoke to a few schools and that is what they were telling me. But who knows, maybe you will get lucky and get interviews!

 

[kxb4777]

I think if you had 19+ across the board with the 11 in QR, you would get some interviews. I think that 17 in Bio will actually hurt as much as QR. I've heard that Bio is the most important of the science sections and is looked at heavily. Then again, that information was found on this site and could be wrong.

You're best bet is to call the schools and speak with them, but I would be prepared to take it again.

Don't give up though. An 11 in QR is very easily improvable. I would focus on Bio and get that score to a 20. That way, you won't probably have to worry about QR anyways.

 

[phantasmagoriun]

Honestly It's getting to be so late in the cycle that I don't think I can take it again (it would have to be in the end November). Plus I'm gone almost all of November because I'm taking a Japanese language intensive learning class in Tokyo for 3 weeks. I guess if I've waited this long to get into dental school, what's another year....

Thanks for the suggestions though. I think I'm gonna roll with it anyway and see what happens. Who knows, I might get lucky.

 

[StayinNCali]

You'll be fine! Low scores is not a trend with you- but a fluke! Anyone can see that. If your GPA's support that conclusion- then get ready for interviews!