Help! Anyone get into a dental school with DAT score that's lower than that dental school's average?

[acvdental937]

My dream schools all have average DAT scores of 23 or 22.3. Three of those schools are Columbia, UCSF, and Harvard (I know getting in is a stretch). I got a 22 AA, 21 TS, and 23 PAT which is lower than their averages.

Scores:
PAT 23
QR 21
RC 24
Bio 21
GC 20
OC 23
TS 21
AA 22

I have strong extracurriculars (RDA, 100+ shadowing hours, president, and VP of a few orgs) and a 3.86 gpa. Do I still have a chance? Has anyone else gotten into competitive dental schools with a lower DAT?

I noticed on the DAT bootcamp FB group that people were getting 24+ every week. I've also been googling schools' DAT averages and noticed that they are increasing every year.

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[SirBrotherJam]

Dude... You did well on the DAT and your GPA is great. Just apply to a school and get in and be a dentist as that is the goal, right? Ivy school dentist grads aren't better than another school unless you really like the idea of specializing and a crap ton of loans. I imagine that this tread is more for those that are having trouble with DAT, GPA, etc. and is probably why so many have read this and not commented.

 

[MavsFanForLife]

well.....its an average. So.......Ya people get into schools with below avg stats?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

My dream schools all have average DAT scores of 23 or 22.3. Three of those schools are Columbia, UCSF, and Harvard (I know getting in is a stretch). I got a 22 AA, 21 TS, and 23 PAT which is lower than their averages.

I have strong extracurriculars (RDA, 100+ shadowing hours, president, and VP of a few orgs) and a 3.86 gpa. Do I still have a chance? Has anyone else gotten into competitive dental schools with a lower DAT?

I noticed on the DAT bootcamp FB group that people were getting 24+ every week. I've also been googling schools' DAT averages and noticed that they are increasing every year.

One point isn't going to kill your chances, but you also need to be reasonable to note that you'll be a desirable applicant at many schools with those numbers (again, 20's across the board) and GPA.

You should always apply to any school where your in-state status is an advantage. You should be aware of the curricula differences at all the schools and not be swayed by the name brand. What type of student support is there for you as a future professional? What are the expectations in terms of career directions?

I also will say that my own analysis does NOT suggest that overall applicant DAT scores are skyrocketing faster than the coronavirus confirned case count. GPAs are creeping up, but DAT's have always stayed relatively stable in the applicant pool. Also be aware, the overall number of applicants has plateaued or started to decline for the past few years.

 

[joeexotic]

everyone wants a slice of the Ivy League pie. Suprised you don’t have Penn on that list.

 

[acvdental937]

well.....its an average. So.......Ya people get into schools with below avg stats?

Yeah, that makes sense. I think my anxiety was stemming from browsing the acceptance/interview threads on here and seeing that everyone that got an interview at those schools had 24+ DAT scores. I did not see one person with a 22 or below on those threads. I guess no one that scored below the schools’ averages were posting their stats?

It made me start doubting my chances but I guess I need to remember that there are many people who get in and don’t post their stats.

 

[acvdental937]

Dude... You did well on the DAT and your GPA is great. Just apply to a school and get in and be a dentist as that is the goal, right? Ivy school dentist grads aren't better than another school unless you really like the idea of specializing and a crap ton of loans. I imagine that this tread is more for those that are having trouble with DAT, GPA, etc. and is probably why so many have read this and not commented.

Thanks, yeah especially with the recession I’m starting to reconsider whether going to a private school is the best idea. I think you have a good point. UCSF is probably at the top of my list right now if I can get in.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Yeah, that makes sense. I think my anxiety was stemming from browsing the acceptance/interview threads on here and seeing that everyone that got an interview at those schools had 24+ DAT scores. I did not see one person with a 22 or below on those threads. I guess no one that scored below the schools’ averages were posting their stats?

It made me start doubting my chances but I guess I need to remember that there are many people who get in and don’t post their stats.

SDN forum posters are not to be considered a scientific sampling of the entire applicant pool. There aren't that many people with 22+'s.

 

[acvdental937]

One point isn't going to kill your chances, but you also need to be reasonable to note that you'll be a desirable applicant at many schools with those numbers (again, 20's across the board) and GPA.

You should always apply to any school where your in-state status is an advantage. You should be aware of the curricula differences at all the schools and not be swayed by the name brand. What type of student support is there for you as a future professional? What are the expectations in terms of career directions?

I also will say that my own analysis does NOT suggest that overall applicant DAT scores are skyrocketing faster than the coronavirus confirned case count. GPAs are creeping up, but DAT's have always stayed relatively stable in the applicant pool. Also be aware, the overall number of applicants has plateaued or started to decline for the past few years.

Thanks so much for taking the time to respond, I appreciate your input and it was reassuring to read your post. I was starting to feel insecure but everyone has their own strengths and I can only do my best.

I’ve been reading on the programs and like the pass/fails systems at these 3 schools. It’s also cool that the 2 ivies have a combined medical curriculum.

Why have the number of dental school applicants started plateauing?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Thanks so much for taking the time to respond, I appreciate your input and it reassuring to read your post. I was starting to feel insecure but everyone has their own strengths and I can only do my best.

I’ve been reading on the programs and like the pass/fails systems at these 3 schools. It’s also cool that the 2 ivies have a combined medical curriculum.

Why have the number of dental school applicants started plateauing?

Overall the number of college undergraduates has been in decline for close to a decade. Function of the pipeline. It's also happening in other admissions pools.

 

[acvdental937]

Overall the number of college undergraduates has been in decline for close to a decade. Function of the pipeline. It's also happening in other admissions pools.

That’s interesting, I‘ve always mistakenly thought the opposite was happening.

 

[rectangle]

I had a friend decline Columbia to go to Houston (which imo is the smart choice.) Both schools will grant you a dental degree, but one school is cheaper... and thus gives you more flexibility post graduation on job location, ability to buy a practice, and personal life stuff like a mortgage.
Sometimes it's not all about the money, but when your loans balloon up to a huge number, it becomes about the money.

Your stats are good. You'll never know unless you apply and shoot your shot. Try not to compare yourself to the humble braggers on SDN/fb. It'll just give you anxiety and make the whole process worse

 

[futuredmdblue]

I’m a hygienist and temped for over 100 different offices in the last 2 years while I was in school. The dentists I talked to all say don’t worry about the name. Just get in somewhere. These are the things that matter: bedside manner, ambidexterity (are you gonna slice my cheek when you hold the HVE and high speed in different places?), minimizing patient discomfort/barriers preventing access to care, overall quality of seating crowns and minimizing overhangs with resins. The name absolutely 100% does NOT matter. Cheaper is better. Don’t bury yourself in debt just to say that you’re an ivy league grad.


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[salmongrid]

If it makes you feel any better, I know someone who will be attending one of the schools you mentioned with a sub-3.5 GPA and a 19 on the DAT. Numbers are important for admissions but they do not determine everything.