GPA vs DAT

[leejunsoo]

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Hi, to all

I have been wondering and want to know what you guys think
What would you rather have:
option a) cGPA3.1 sGPA3.1 bcpGPA3.1 with AA25TS25PAT25
OR
option b) cGPA3.8 sGPA3.8 bcpGPA3.8 with AA18TS18PAT18

i'm asking which do you think is better, high GPA OR high DAT score?
obviously it's better to have good GPA with good DAT as oppose to low GPA with high DAT and vice versa
but i'm really curious.
I know that some schools like Columbia emphasize on high DAT but with that kind of GPA, can a high DAT overlook the low GPA? (and vice versa)

curious to hear your thoughts!

 

[dk4ey]

option b. You can always improve your DAT.

 

[342167]

I like option b) !

 

[periopocket]

GPA>DAT! I predict that preference for gpa over DAT will increase in the future now that they have made the boards pass/fail. GPA is a better predictor of your stamina and is composed of 100+ tests instead of just one.

 

[Glimmer1991]

GPA>DAT! I predict that preference for gpa over DAT will increase in the future now that they have made the boards pass/fail. GPA is a better predictor of your stamina and is composed of 100+ tests instead of just one.

However, the DAT is completely standardized. Schools' grading systems are NOT standardized. Some are easy, some are not. Some inflate grades, some do not. Some give A+ grades, some do not.

 

[periopocket]

Glimmer - agreed! Just my take on the situation. I believe that overcoming a low GPA is much more difficult then overcoming a low DAT score. In fact it's almost a night mare

 

[O2ShootTheJ]

As an option B (3.92 19AA 18TS 18PA) I received 2 interviews out of 10 schools I applied to. 1 waitlist one d.5 offer. Had good EC, volunteer, leadership, shadowing, etc.

 

[ryansgs]

GPA is variable. What is your major, what school did you go to, was it a community college, did you have easy professors, did you take mostly easy classes, did you cheat?

DAT isn't variable. It is the only grade that is measured and puts everyone on a fair plane.

I believe the DAT is more important. DAT is the only measure that the ADCOMs have that is truly objective. GPA could be skewed in many ways to misrepresent the true character of the applicant.

 

[UCSFx2017]

not this again...it's not like this an actual conscious decision that people strive to make.

Do you know any person who thinks to him or herself freshman year and say "I'm going to try to get a high GPA but a low DAT" or "I'm going to try to get a low GPA but high DAT"?

This is not a realistic question. You either try to strive for both positives early on in undergrad or you're already in either of those categories, in which case there's really no point in speculating. Or worse you have both poor GPA and DAT.

 

[dk4ey]

yeah, i personally believe DAT is more fair to look at, but honestly schools seem to put heavy weigh on GPA.

 

[leejunsoo]

not this again...it's not like this an actual conscious decision that people strive to make.

Do you know any person who thinks to him or herself freshman year and say "I'm going to try to get a high GPA but a low DAT" or "I'm going to try to get a low GPA but high DAT"?

This is not a realistic question. You either try to strive for both positives early on in undergrad or you're already in either of those categories, in which case there's really no point in speculating. Or worse you have both poor GPA and DAT.

I don't know anyone who says to themselves "i'm going to try to get a high GPA but a low DAT" but it happens.
I've seen many people on these forums who are in these situations so that is why i'm asking.
It's a realistic question dude

 

[UCSFx2017]

I don't know anyone who says to themselves "i'm going to try to get a high GPA but a low DAT" but it happens.
I've seen many people on these forums who are in these situations so that is why i'm asking.
It's a realistic question dude

But what's the point in asking which is better?

So what if there are people with these situation? Can they magically flip-flop a high GPA and low DAT with low GPA and high DAT? If you're in the former group, you retake the DAT. If you're in the latter, you do a post-bacc or a Master's.

 

[leejunsoo]

But what's the point in asking which is better?

just wondering what others think.
no hurt in asking right?

 

[UCSFx2017]

just wondering what others think.
no hurt in asking right?

There's no harm in the question but it isn't constructive either. Especially after countless threads on the same subject.

 

[ryansgs]

There's no harm in the question but it isn't constructive either. Especially after countless threads on the same subject.

You've been here since 2007, I'm sure every thread posted here seems like it was already talked about countless times to you. Don't be too solipsistic.

 

[UCSFx2017]

You've been here since 2007, I'm sure every thread posted here seems like it was already talked about countless times to you. Don't be too solipsistic.

That totally makes this thread worthwhile now. Hey, what's that search function over there for, Mr. Strawman?

 

[leejunsoo]

That totally makes this thread worthwhile now. Hey, what's that search function over there for, Mr. Strawman?

yo,
every year, the trend changes and people's perspectives change.
this kind of thought could have changed in the last few years so your logic makes no sense.

 

[ryansgs]

That totally makes this thread worthwhile now. Hey, what's that search function over there for, Mr. Strawman?

Mr. Strawman? I don't sell straws.

Dude stay on topic, if you don't like it then don't comment on it. Your comments are usually very good, not sure why you decided to take this thread off track for no good reason.

 

[muffin21]

i agree with ucsf guy's points, that ultimately, whatever hole you end up in (low gpa or low dat) there is fortunately, a way out. which is better? i'd say a high gpa opens a lot of doors at some schools, but a high gpa opens doors at others.. soo.. it depends where you're applying.

 

[UCSFx2017]

yo,
every year, the trend changes and people's perspectives change.
this kind of thought could have changed in the last few years so your logic makes no sense.

Mr. Strawman? I don't sell straws.

Dude stay on topic, if you don't like it then don't comment on it. Your comments are usually very good, not sure why you decided to take this thread off track for no good reason.

There're three stages that applicants go through: (1) pre-application, (2) application, and (3) post-application.

(1) pre-application - You have yet to apply and are in the midst of preparing for the DAT and keeping your grades up.

(2) application - You have already taken the DAT and have usually around six semesters worth of academic performance.

(3) post-application - You applied and have received your results. Either you got in or you didn't.

Is this comparison of any value to group (1)? No, they ought to be aiming for the highest GPA and DAT possible. The decision to strive for either high GPA and low DAT or low GPA and high DAT never arises.
Is this comparison of any value to group (2)? No, they already have six semesters worth of courses and a DAT score. There's nothing left for them to do to improve their numbers. It's a waiting game.
Is this comparison of any value to group (3)? No, if they got in, great! If they didn't, they either retake the DAT or do a post-bacc/Master's.

So to whom is this comparison of high GPA/low DAT vs. low GPA/high DAT of any use? Are any of us here on the admissions committee who decide who gets in and who doesn't?

The only thing that this thread does is make those with high GPA/low DAT or low GPA/high DAT feel insecure about their chances of acceptance.

http://www.nizkor.org/features/fallacies/straw-man.html

 

[KittySquared]

^You crack me up