GPA vs DAT

[TsunamiWave7]

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I'm sure this is on the boards somewhere, but I couldn't find it by searching. My question was whether you think schools consider GPA or your DAT score more.

My GPA, for instance, is a little on the low end right now (I still have 3 years to bring it up, at least), and looking on Predents.com it looks like my in-state schools (UT Houston, Baylor, UTSA) have high GPA averages but (relatively) low DAT scores.

Thanks! 🙂

 

[Chuck1441]

I know this makes me a jerk, but are you asking because you want to slack off on your GPA? or your DAT? cause you can't afford to do either. I say GPA matters more, shows how you perform in school. DAT just shows how you study and take one test. Plus all the stuff you learn in school will be on the DAT. So why not strive for a 4.0 and 30's across the board?

 

[TsunamiWave7]

No, I'm obviously going to try my best for the next few years, but I'm not sure that I can raise my GPA above a 3.5 or so, and so I was mostly trying to see if a good DAT score could help that at all.

 

[dentaldentist]

I would agree that GPA matters more. A strong DAT score can help you overcome a weak GPA, but since it sounds like you've got several years, strive for a good GPA AND a good DAT. If you're concerned because you did not do well in school your first year - no worries. You can bring up your GPA, you have plenty of time. Schools definitely take into account improvements in your GPA over the course of your education.

 

[thehipster]

I think most schools (not all, depends on each school) look at the DAT more than the GPA. You can't equate GPA's from two different schools the same way you can for two stardardized test scores. A 4.0 at one school may be easier than at another school. But I personally think that GPA is more representative of how students will do in dental school, not the DAT.

 

[Blando]

i don't know guys... i have close to a 3.7 science gpa and a 3.6 cum gpa... and an 18 aa and 19 pat. i would feel a lot better have a 3.3 with a 20/20... although i am retaking in a week or two i just feel like the dat is more important than the gpa, just in my opinion.. but thats just my opinion, i could be completely wrong. i just know theres a guy around the forum with like a 3.0 and a 25, and i just feel like he would be looked at a lot quicker than someone with a 4.0 and a 17

 

[sgdorfl90]

its always going to be GPA...the argument that DAT standardizes everything is kinda falling out of favor. To make matters simple, count up how many people have 23+ AA on this forum, versus how many people have above 3.9 from ANY school. I gurantee you that there are twice the number of people in 23+ than in GPA. Try it!

if anyone has above 3.7, and get anything under 20, something is definitely wrong...either they broke down on their test or something really whacky. I am pretty sure most wouldnt though

 

[RockstarDMD]

I am going to say DAT. Just on the grounds that I have known more people that have been accepted with high DAT scores and low GPA than I have the opposite.

 

[Yellow Snow]

Some schools clearly prefer one over the other. Things seem to be getting so competitive though that it might take both to get an acceptance. USC e-mailed me saying last years AA avg. for acceptance was a 20. That is a 2 point jump from ADEA's last published stats.

 

[tom_servo_dds]

its always going to be GPA...the argument that DAT standardizes everything is kinda falling out of favor. To make matters simple, count up how many people have 23+ AA on this forum, versus how many people have above 3.9 from ANY school. I gurantee you that there are twice the number of people in 23+ than in GPA. Try it!

if anyone has above 3.7, and get anything under 20, something is definitely wrong...either they broke down on their test or something really whacky. I am pretty sure most wouldnt though

Or they took basketweaving as a major!

 

[Mackchops]

Discrepencies between the two stats will be questioned extensively, I'm sure. Just make sure you've done the work from this point out and you'll be fine.

The DAT, however, is like that cumulative final that's weighted more than all the other grades you've had. A high score can pull your average up over the top. (At least I hope so... look at my signature.)

My $0.02,
Mack

 

[prez_al]

Some schools favour an upward trend in GPA as it becomes more difficult to do well as one progresses through undergrad. As long as you show a steady improvement (maybe a 4.0 semester) it should help you providing you score well on the DAT. I still think GPA barely trumps the DAT because it is an evaluation of a person over a period of 3-4 years rather than one 5 hour test. Although I agree with a lot of you that if there are discrepencies between the two (i.e. 4.0 and 18 DAT, or 3.0 and 25 DAT), you will definitely be asked about them in an interview.

 

[toothfairy85]

I think it depends on what schools you apply to. I get the impression from people that I know that if you have a GPA on the lower end, you need a high DAT to get in. The same goes for those that have a lower DAT, you need a high GPA to balance it out. There are different reasons for poor performance in school or the DAT, just make sure you can back it up. Also, last I heard, the average DAT for those accepted into dental school (across the country) is an 18/18/18. So, if you have the good grades and at least an 18 you are a competitive applicant. Also, some schools weight different areas of the DAT differently. It seems pretty common that most schools want to see applicants perform well on RC since that is what the whole first year is about. Others don't emphasize the PAT as much. Just find which schools you think you can get in with your credentials and then blow 'em away come interview time.

 

[Chrono1984]

They are both important. I think they complement one another. How would you react to an applicant with a 4.0 and 17s on the DAT? That would raise flags. Likewise a 2.8 with 22s better have some upward trends otherwise they could be perceived as a total slacker.

But I guess to answer your question. Do not think one is more important, just do well on both and save yourself the trouble. Sounds like you have plenty of time to right the GPA ship.

 

[smnop]

i think a good DAT score can cover up a slightly low gpa but a higher gpa cannot cover up a not so good dat score

 

[armorshell]

I agree with the above poster in that a good DAT along with a great explanation can make up for a few semesters of poor grades, whereas there's no real way to "explain away" a great gpa and poor DAT

 

[aggie-master]

GPA is the most important in Texas, but you have to do at least average on both if you want to get in.

I looked at stats for A&M students that got into TEXAS dental schools and the majority of them had high GPAs with DAT scores across the board.

I think you just need to work hard and learn the material in class to earn good grades and most likely that will translate to high DAT scores too.

hth

 

[toothfairy85]

I agree... aggie-master have you had your interviews yet at San Antonio and Baylor? Mine are coming up!

 

[aggie-master]

I agree... aggie-master have you had your interviews yet at San Antonio and Baylor? Mine are coming up!

Mine are both in mid to late September. I'm still waiting on a letter from Houston.

 

[PlanB21]

i dont know, i think GPA is a better representation of your coursework at school, along with balancing a job and EC's...i mean i talked to an adcom about this issue in the past. She told me they look at when you took the DAT and whether or not you were involved with activities while studying for the DAT. She told me a 19AA with a student who was busy taking classes and working at the same time is better than a student sitting at home, doing nothing for 3 months, and scoring a 21 or even a 22AA. I mean if you had no bills to pay, no family to take care off, no job..u just wake up and study for 3 months straight..u better get at least a 21 on the DAT. It is more represenative of whether or not you can balance different projects at the same time..

 

[Ething]

its always going to be GPA...the argument that DAT standardizes everything is kinda falling out of favor. To make matters simple, count up how many people have 23+ AA on this forum, versus how many people have above 3.9 from ANY school. I gurantee you that there are twice the number of people in 23+ than in GPA. Try it!

if anyone has above 3.7, and get anything under 20, something is definitely wrong...either they broke down on their test or something really whacky. I am pretty sure most wouldnt though

I agree. If You have a high GPA (3.7 and up) you can't possibly get lower than a 20AA. I broke down on my test completely and landed a 20. If you have a very high GPA and have a really bad day when you take the dats, it would be very hard to get below a 20.

 

[prez_al]

I agree. If You have a high GPA (3.7 and up) you can't possibly get lower than a 20AA. I broke down on my test completely and landed a 20. If you have a very high GPA and have a really bad day when you take the dats, it would be very hard to get below a 20.

Is this a joke?? A 20 in any section is hard to get.. so on a good day, you should've scored 31??

 

[trickybenny]

Wow, you seem to think pretty highly of yourself. GPA in itself does not indicate standardized test taking ability. I had a 3.8 cum and 3.6 sci and got a 19/20/20. I didn't do great, but 20s are around 90th %, some people have to study more than others for standardized tests and for others, standardized tests come naturally. I worked hard and did my best on my test day, but I think everyone on this forum is disappointed w/ some section of the DAT on test day. There are alot of people that work really hard on the DAT and the best they have is a 18 or 19AA. Making a blanket statements for people w/ high GPAs isn't really fair.🙁