Finished DAT 9-16-08

[deus85]

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What a big relief. Here's the breakdown:

PA: 20
QR: 16
RC: 21
BS: 20
GC: 21
OC: 23
TS: 22
AA: 20

GPA:
Cum: 3.43
Sci: 3.2 (UCLA killed me, obviously...so I applied to alot of lower tiers)


I spent almost a month studying (kinda slacked off during the weekends). I used Kaplan bluebook (didn't take the course), and purchased the 3 tests from Top Score.

I was really concern (couldn't sleep the prior two nights) because from the amount of materials people used on here was a lot. I've done the practice test in Kaplan book and the CD, and 1 full test from Top Score. My results for OChem was pretty horriffic, so with only three days left before the test I decided to just take the other two practice tests for OChem section only (still did crappy, like 13). Thank goodness it was my best score (because I did the worst in OChem courses)

Overall, I went through Kaplan about twice, reviewed (skim the notes) all the sciences once two days before the test, spent the last day just going through the OChem mechanisms to find a pattern (ie. adding bonds to O is oxidize, LAH removes bonds or add H, KMnO3 oxidizes), and drank Red Bull's.

Perceptial and reading I just did the few practice tests on it. Those weren't a concern to me. But the math...horrible. I gotta say...need to do a lot more math problems. It will help with speed. Just SKIP all the long word problems and do EASY first then go back to them if you have time. I didn't heed my own advise and wasted so much time on the first long ones I encountered. When time was up I didn't get to do a bunch of them.

I think I lucked out, really. I was really discouraged by my practice test scores. But realized that their scoring system is much harder than the real test. Though the math on the actual test was more difficult than Top Score.

So my question is, will I get in? lol
I submitted my AADSAS in June (all the schools received it already and had emailed me back for secondary, and of course, MONEY). Well with the exception of University of Colorado. They already rejected me (they have a preference for instate and takes only fifty-something students a year).
I hope to complete all secondary by the end of this weekend. I just graduated with a B.S. Bio and am currently taking Microbiology at a community college. Next semester I plan on taking more or three more science classes.

Schools applied: AZ, BU, LLU,MWU, NYU, TEMP, TUF, COL, NJDS, UNLV, USC, UOP, VCU, WESTU

Any advise appreciated.

 

[polarmolar]

Beautiful scores, no worries about your GPA, I think you have a great chance, congrats!!

 

[ruomengd2000]

congrats on the scores. I am in a similar situation as you because Cal killed me also. I can't believe your from UCLA and your not going to apply to their dental school!

 

[doc3232]

congrats on the scores. I am in a similar situation as you because Cal killed me also. I can't believe your from UCLA and your not going to apply to their dental school!

To the OP good job, like this poster said, why not UCLA dental? What about UCSF.

 

[ZenoVT]

Your scores are awesome!

 

[klutzy1987]

There looks like there is a mistake with your TS. I am pretty sure that those grades will not get you a 22 TS, but hey dont tell the admissions comitee and wooho. Great job and expect a nice amount of interviews, dont worry about the GPA.

 

[deus85]

Thank you all for encouragements!
The support one gets from this community truely outweighs the knowledge and information.

Regarding TS. Its calculated NOT from the averages of the individual science standard scores (ie Bio 20, GC 21 OC 23 divided by 3), but rather its calculated from the actual number of questions you got right out of the TOTAL 100 for the WHOLE science section. I was a bit confused, too, but then I read the bottom of my result page and it clearly stated how the calculations were done.

Yeah, I didn't apply to UCLA Dental School. I am already discourage by just doing undergrad there lol. I've always done very well in school, until I stepped foot onto campus. I became...average. lol
But the bigger reason is I've just had some issues going on in life, and I was kinda lazy lol.

 

[klutzy1987]

Regarding TS. Its calculated NOT from the averages of the individual science standard scores (ie Bio 20, GC 21 OC 23 divided by 3), but rather its calculated from the actual number of questions you got right out of the TOTAL 100 for the WHOLE science section. I was a bit confused, too, but then I read the bottom of my result page and it clearly stated how the calculations were done.

I know this, but usually yur lowest score has the most weight and your higest score has the least weight on your TS. The reason for this is because a 23 on orgo is like 4 questions wrong while a 20 on bio is like 10 questions wrong. Usually it is shifted most heavily to the lowest science grade. Then again, the schools dont calculate the ADA does and you got a 22 TS so celebrate. Great JOB and good luck on all of the interviews you should be getting.

 

[doc3232]

I know this, but usually yur lowest score has the most weight and your higest score has the least weight on your TS. The reason for this is because a 23 on orgo is like 4 questions wrong while a 20 on bio is like 10 questions wrong. Usually it is shifted most heavily to the lowest science grade. Then again, the schools dont calculate the ADA does and you got a 22 TS so celebrate. Great JOB and good luck on all of the interviews you should be getting.

Ya, your TS is definately unusual. I have never seen one like it. Most with your sciences would get a 21 and possibly a 20.
I am sure a comp didn't calculate it incorrectly, but maybe you were 1 question away from being 1 point higher on each of the three science sections.

 

[deus85]

Ya, your TS is definately unusual. I have never seen one like it. Most with your sciences would get a 21 and possibly a 20.
I am sure a comp didn't calculate it incorrectly, but maybe you were 1 question away from being 1 point higher on each of the three science sections.

From now until the time they send the scores to the school they're not going to recalculate or anything are they?

 

[dl9006]

is gpa not that important for admission?

would a great dat score overshadow a mediocre gpa?

 

[klutzy1987]

From now until the time they send the scores to the school they're not going to recalculate or anything are they?

NO a 22 is yours to keep great job and enjoy it. Use it well abd you will get many interviews. Go relax or something, you did a great job.

 

[deus85]

NO a 22 is yours to keep great job and enjoy it. Use it well abd you will get many interviews. Go relax or something, you did a great job.

Thanks klutzy,

I am so motivated now...I'm gonna get my younger brother shaped up for PCAT next summer lol.

 

[Albuterol]

nice job man! you will get in somewhere.

 

[walkaway]

i took my dat last month..n after i took it they didnt ask me wat colleges i wanted my score sent..do they do that or do we jus select the colleges on AADAS application..a bit confused i am!!

 

[Albuterol]

You are supposed to select the colleges when you register for the DAT. Looks like you probably missed out on 5 free schools.

 

[deus85]

So yeah...I'm getting nervous so I added Howard to my application. I may add a few more lol.

So with Howard I've applied to 15 schools (including Colorado...rejected...waste of money)

 

[klutzy1987]

Your scores are great, relax. The only one under 20 is your QR which is least important anyways. Im sure that if you applied to 15 schools you will get al least 7-8 interviews and probably 5 acceptances depending on your interviewing skills. Relax now and prepare for interviews or just do nothing, but dont obsess over your scorers, they are very good.

 

[gentile1225]

i think you'll have absolutely no problem getting in. regardless of the gpa, as long as you got a 22 TS and a decent recume, i think you should be fine. congratulations.