Gpa vs dta

[exes]

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What if you have a high GPA like 3.8 with a Science GPA of 3.9 but you did not do good on your DAT? Like you get a 16-19 on the DAT.

Will they not look at you since the low score of the DAT? Or will they still consider you the same or less etc?

Thanks for the input ahead of times!

 

[Polk]

They would suspect grade inflation at your undergraduate institution. It would not bode well.

 

[exes]

okay that would make sense.
Yet what if the low score was due to the Reading, QR, or PAT section which wouldnt have much to do with the Sience part of the DAT in my opinion. You know what I am trying to say. I think that those section are rather self taught than taught by a teacher.

 

[JasenClaisen]

If you have a great gpa and a bad DAT score... retake your DAT. It's very efficient and getting a higher score is much easier than repairing a bad gpa.

 

[omnipoDent]

okay that would make sense.
Yet what if the low score was due to the Reading, QR, or PAT section which wouldnt have much to do with the Sience part of the DAT in my opinion. You know what I am trying to say. I think that those section are rather self taught than taught by a teacher.

It's my understanding that many dental schools consider reading comprehension to be the most important part of the DAT. The section tests your ability to quickly identify the important parts of large amounts of information, which I believe they feel is important because of the large amount of information you will be quickly covering in dental school.

 

[93geo]

What if you have a high GPA like 3.8 with a Science GPA of 3.9 but you did not do good on your DAT? Like you get a 16-19 on the DAT.

Will they not look at you since the low score of the DAT? Or will they still consider you the same or less etc?

Thanks for the input ahead of times!

there is a really big difference between a 16 and a 19. A 16 is probably somewhere in the 40th percentile whereas a 19 is in the 70th-80th percentile. It is fair to say that getting a 16 would be considered "not doing good", but I don't think getting a 19 falls in this category.

If you have a 3.8+ gpa then you should be capable of scoring at least an 18 if you give some effort.

 

[wired202808]

What if you have a high GPA like 3.8 with a Science GPA of 3.9 but you did not do good on your DAT? Like you get a 16-19 on the DAT.

Will they not look at you since the low score of the DAT? Or will they still consider you the same or less etc?

Thanks for the input ahead of times!

Its impossible to have a 3.8 GPA and get a 16-18 on the DAT, unless your GPA is filled with non science courses. Basically you need at least a 19 with such a high GPA to be considered for many schools. If you get a 20 you'll be a shoe in at a lot of schools.

 

[exes]

okay thanks for the input. I'm planning to take the DAT may 30th. so i can send everything out once the cycle opens in june.

Yet isnt it true that the dental schools don't open the applications/start looking at them later on.

So could i technically send out all my application in june but take my DAT later on in june and let them send the scores of my DAT to the schools I requested? meaning by the time they open my application the DAT score will show up as well even tho i took the dat 2 weeks after i sent my applications?

hope that makes sense

 

[white fang]

Its impossible to have a 3.8 GPA and get a 16-18 on the DAT, unless your GPA is filled with non science courses. Basically you need at least a 19 with such a high GPA to be considered for many schools. If you get a 20 you'll be a shoe in at a lot of schools.

Are you saying the high GPA is a detriment to someone with an 18? Would it be better for someone with an 18 to have a 3.2 gpa?

 

[MedDevil]

Are you saying the high GPA is a detriment to someone with an 18? Would it be better for someone with an 18 to have a 3.2 gpa?

No, a higher GPA is always better than a low one. Always.

 

[white fang]

No, a higher GPA is always better than a low one. Always.

I agree, just seeking clarification of wired's point.

 

[wired202808]

okay thanks for the input. I'm planning to take the DAT may 30th. so i can send everything out once the cycle opens in june.

Yet isnt it true that the dental schools don't open the applications/start looking at them later on.

So could i technically send out all my application in june but take my DAT later on in june and let them send the scores of my DAT to the schools I requested? meaning by the time they open my application the DAT score will show up as well even tho i took the dat 2 weeks after i sent my applications?

hope that makes sense

Well heres how it works. The cycle opens up on June 4th meaning you can start to fill out the app as early as June 4th and finish it lets say by June 5th or 6th and then submit it. After you take the DAT it takes 2 weeks for the score to be uploaded to your file and then you are considered complete. Schools wont review files w/o the DAT score, but you should submit your application as early as possible so that the AADSAS processing center can verify your GPA and finish up the application itself which can also take 2 to 3 weeks. So Ultimately you dont want to wait another 2 to 3 weeks to process your application after your DAT score is available. You want to start the app on June 4th, submit it ASAP, take the DAT June 15th and by July 1st your app would be complete. Thats just a hypothetical timeline you can use.

 

[exes]

Well heres how it works. The cycle opens up on June 4th meaning you can start to fill out the app as early as June 4th and finish it lets say by June 5th or 6th and then submit it. After you take the DAT it takes 2 weeks for the score to be uploaded to your file and then you are considered complete. Schools wont review files w/o the DAT score, but you should submit your application as early as possible so that the AADSAS processing center can verify your GPA and finish up the application itself which can also take 2 to 3 weeks. So Ultimately you dont want to wait another 2 to 3 weeks to process your application after your DAT score is available. You want to start the app on June 4th, submit it ASAP, take the DAT June 15th and by July 1st your app would be complete. Thats just a hypothetical timeline you can use.

so what would you recommend i should do? I have signed up for the DAT on the 30th of may but kinda want to take it later...like 1st or 2nd week of june.

Will that hurt me, meaning does it matter if i take the DAT may 30th or june 15th, either way i will submit my application with or without the DAT on june 4th.

Additionally, I am an international student from Germany, if that matters at all.

thanks for the help

 

[wired202808]

so what would you recommend i should do? I have signed up for the DAT on the 30th of may but kinda want to take it later...like 1st or 2nd week of june.

Will that hurt me, meaning does it matter if i take the DAT may 30th or june 15th, either way i will submit my application with or without the DAT on june 4th.

Additionally, I am an international student from Germany, if that matters at all.

thanks for the help

Your application will not be reviewed by schools until the DAT score is in. meaning you should take the DAT as early as possible June 15th isn't that bad. Just make sure you start your application on June 4th and fill out the grades, letters of recommendation and all the other details and actually submit it after your done. You can submit it and then the DAT scores will arrive after that and they will matchted to the file. After that schools will actually look at your file.

Since your international you should search this site for threads pertaining to International firnedly schools like NYU, BU, Tufts, etc. State schools like UMDNJ, Pittsburgh or Louisville will probably pass you over so dont go crazy on applying to a lot of state schools.

 

[exes]

Your application will not be reviewed by schools until the DAT score is in. meaning you should take the DAT as early as possible June 15th isn't that bad. Just make sure you start your application on June 4th and fill out the grades, letters of recommendation and all the other details and actually submit it after your done. You can submit it and then the DAT scores will arrive after that and they will matchted to the file. After that schools will actually look at your file.

Since your international you should search this site for threads pertaining to International firnedly schools like NYU, BU, Tufts, etc. State schools like UMDNJ, Pittsburgh or Louisville will probably pass you over so dont go crazy on applying to a lot of state schools.

okay thanks. so is should i stick with may 30th or can i take it begining of june? so it will slightly hurt me if i take it in june is that correct?

 

[wired202808]

okay thanks. so is should i stick with may 30th or can i take it begining of june? so it will slightly hurt me if i take it in june is that correct?

The earlier the better, I dont think its gonna kill you but I dunno what you can learn in 2 weeks that would make or break your score.

 

[white fang]

The earlier the better, I dont think its gonna kill you but I dunno what you can learn in 2 weeks that would make or break your score.

If he/she takes it mid-june they will still be a relatively early applicant however. That would give a lot of time after the semester is over to nail down some concepts. I know I personally jumped 3AA points in my practice tests in the last 2-3 weeks because those came after the semester is over. Just a thought.

 

[exes]

The earlier the better, I dont think its gonna kill you but I dunno what you can learn in 2 weeks that would make or break your score.

just an extra 2 weeks of studying after the semester is over and focusing on DAT besides my current semester courses like genetics and research etc that takes up studying and time in the lab i guess :/

my 1st language is german and not english. thus, my reading is not the greatest. especially answering the question which seem to all make sense in my opinion and i could put a b c or d for them all lol

 

[UCLAzy]

I dunno what you can learn in 2 weeks

...that explains so many of your responses....

 

[Shazzam]

The earlier the better, I dont think its gonna kill you but I dunno what you can learn in 2 weeks that would make or break your score.

How can someone NOT improve their score by studying an additional 2 weeks. People study for the ENTIRE exam in 4 - 6 weeks.

 

[wired202808]

How can someone NOT improve their score by studying an additional 2 weeks. People study for the ENTIRE exam in 4 - 6 weeks.

i dunno who studied for the DAT in 4 weeks when most study for about 2 to 3 months via dentalworks' plan.

 

[wired202808]

just an extra 2 weeks of studying after the semester is over and focusing on DAT besides my current semester courses like genetics and research etc that takes up studying and time in the lab i guess :/

my 1st language is german and not english. thus, my reading is not the greatest. especially answering the question which seem to all make sense in my opinion and i could put a b c or d for them all lol

its up to you like I said I dont feel 2 weeks will make or break you, but if you feel that it matters then yes take it June 15th. When I felt I wasnt ready I pushed my test back by a month, but thats just what I felt comfy with.

 

[Zbtb7]

i dunno who studied for the DAT in 4 weeks when most study for about 2 to 3 months via dentalworks' plan.

I studied for the DAT in 2 weeks... 🙂

 

[omnipoDent]

...that explains so many of your responses....

 

[wired202808]

I studied for the DAT in 2 weeks... 🙂

But most people dont... so what's your point?

 

[Zbtb7]

But most people dont... so what's your point?

My point is that OP can cram a lot more information into his brain with an additional 2 weeks of studying.

 

[wired202808]

My point is that OP can cram a lot more information into his brain with an additional 2 weeks of studying.

thats an opinion.

 

[white fang]

thats an opinion.

How in the world would you even begin arguing that you can't cram a lot of information in 2 weeks?

10 hours a day of studying (typical for the last 2 weeks) is 140 hours of study time. You could watch all of Chad's videos twice, get all the way through DAT Destroyer several times, take 2 or 3 practice tests etc. That is some serious time where you can add some serious knowledge.

It may be time to switch to another user name again, your credibility is starting to crumble.

 

[Zbtb7]

I went through DAT Destroyer, DATqVault, Crack DAT PAT (10 test), Crack DAT Reading (5 test), and reviewed my bio notes in 2 weeks...

2 weeks is like 200 hours of study time. You can study for an actuarial exam with that amount of time.

 

[wired202808]

How in the world would you even begin arguing that you can't cram a lot of information in 2 weeks?

10 hours a day of studying (typical for the last 2 weeks) is 140 hours of study time. You could watch all of Chad's videos twice, get all the way through DAT Destroyer several times, take 2 or 3 practice tests etc. That is some serious time where you can add some serious knowledge.

It may be time to switch to another user name again, your credibility is starting to crumble.

I think you should go apologize for your stalking and harassment. You're an annoying guy Ill give you that much.

 

[Zbtb7]

 

[Bereno]

I did all my DAT studying in 3 weeks lol. That extra 2 would have been a godsend lol 😀

 

[dru180]

Two weeks can absolutely make or break your score on the DAT (or it could make no difference at all).

Personally, I scored close to the same scores for a month of practice tests (and/or sections), until the last couple of weeks when it all began to click and come together.

exes, the bottom line is this:
Schools can overlook a weaker DAT with that kind of GPA, but only to a certain point. Score as well on your DAT as you can. Believe me when I tell you two extra weeks for a completely finished application is well worth it if you can go from a (for example) 17 -> 19. Id even advocate maybe a month to go from a 17 -> 20, especially if you need to devote some extra time for the reading section.

Additionally, submitting your application that early I believe usually takes AADSAS a little longer since they have such a high volume of submissions at one time. It will probably take them a month to send them to schools. It takes them less time (i think approx 2 weeks) to receive, validate, and send DAT scores to schools. So, even if you took your DAT a month later (in beginning of July), assuming you submitted your application on June 4th (the day the cycle opens), you really would only be delayed a couple of weeks and still WAAAAY ahead of most applicants.

Again, my advice would be to wait until you are comfortable taking it! Be realistic with yourself and where you are at. The worst mistake you could make would be to rush to take it, do bad, and have to wait 3 months to take it again for a decent score- then you would REALLY be late!

 

[exes]

Two weeks can absolutely make or break your score on the DAT (or it could make no difference at all).

Personally, I scored close to the same scores for a month of practice tests (and/or sections), until the last couple of weeks when it all began to click and come together.

exes, the bottom line is this:
Schools can overlook a weaker DAT with that kind of GPA, but only to a certain point. Score as well on your DAT as you can. Believe me when I tell you two extra weeks for a completely finished application is well worth it if you can go from a (for example) 17 -> 19. Id even advocate maybe a month to go from a 17 -> 20, especially if you need to devote some extra time for the reading section.

Additionally, submitting your application that early I believe usually takes AADSAS a little longer since they have such a high volume of submissions at one time. It will probably take them a month to send them to schools. It takes them less time (i think approx 2 weeks) to receive, validate, and send DAT scores to schools. So, even if you took your DAT a month later (in beginning of July), assuming you submitted your application on June 4th (the day the cycle opens), you really would only be delayed a couple of weeks and still WAAAAY ahead of most applicants.

Again, my advice would be to wait until you are comfortable taking it! Be realistic with yourself and where you are at. The worst mistake you could make would be to rush to take it, do bad, and have to wait 3 months to take it again for a decent score- then you would REALLY be late!

okay thanks for the good response. you answered my concerns and questions.

one more question: let's say it's may 20th and i take the DAT may30th but dont feel ready and wanna push it back 1 or 2 weeks. when is the cut off concerning being able t o push back your DAT date? is it 48 hrs or 1 week prior to the test date?

thanks again. great help and much appreciated

 

[white fang]

okay thanks for the good response. you answered my concerns and questions.

one more question: let's say it's may 20th and i take the DAT may30th but dont feel ready and wanna push it back 1 or 2 weeks. when is the cut off concerning being able t o push back your DAT date? is it 48 hrs or 1 week prior to the test date?

thanks again. great help and much appreciated

I believe it is 48 hours, but I wouldn't cut it close if you are going to reschedule. I suggest contacting them 72 hours ahead of time just so you don't get stuck taking it somehow if you aren't ready.

 

[toyotasupra]

I studied for the DAT in 4 weeks. Only got a 17-18 though.

Going to have to retake it in july. 😉