Help me! Question about schools

[socloseithurts]

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Hi Everyone!
I'm new on SDN. 😳 I never thought I would actually be on here, but I recently took my DAT 🙁 and have some questions.
First of all, here are my scores:
AA 18
TS 19
PAT 19
I submitted my application yesterday, so my GPA hasn't been verified, but I estimate it's around a 3.6. My EC's are pretty good and so are my LOE's and I have about 70 hrs of shadowing. The schools I'm applying to are UF, Nova, (I'm a FL resident) Case, BU, Tufts.

So, my questions are:
-Do I have a chance in getting in? Is my DAT too low?
-Should I apply to other schools? If so, which ones?

Any input anyone has would be great!
Thanks everyone! 🙂

 

[ttom]

I think you will get some interviews with your stats. Just need to impress the schools with your interviews. I recommend you to apply to more schools, such as USC, Oklahoma, Indiana, Nevada, New Jersey, NYU, and Case. Good luck!

 

[socloseithurts]

are those all private schools? im really worried i'm not going to get in anywhere

 

[TeamGuo]

Is your science GPA 3.6?

Since the DAT score trend is rising, above 20s, it's really hard to say if you have a good chance or not. I would say you are on the borderline. If your ECs/research/work experiences are superb, you will probably will get few interviews.

Are you considering retaking the DAT? 20 would make your application shine much more and give you some breathing room.

 

[socloseithurts]

My overall GPA is 3.6 and science is 3.5. I have a lot of volunteer hours b/c i did some work in Central America. I took the DAT like yesterday, so if I were to take it again, I would have to take it again in September, which is too late. Here are my complete scores:
PAT: 19
QR: 18
RC: 17
Bio: 18
GC: 19
OC: 19
TS: 19
AA: 18

So I did well on my sciences and for some reason bombed the reading. If I do retake the DAT, wouldn't be too late to apply? Also, what schools are considered "safety schools"

 

[americanpierg]

this is really hard to assess lol. I'd say you are the exact "AVERAGE" dental applicant. Average is actually a very good for you, since 50% of applicants are accepted into dental schools each year. Your biggest downside is that you are only applying to 5 schools.

Your DAT is a little low, but your GPA and experience helps balance the scale so that you are average/slightly above average. In my honest opinion I'd say you will get in to at least one school, if all else goes well.

 

[ttom]

Most of the schools I listed are private. Check out www.predents.com. You can compare your stats with the schools.
If you want to retake the DAT, it's still doable. You can update your scores after you took the DAT with the schools. Although I think your stats are not bad at all. They're consistent across the board. Sure, it'll be better if you score above 20. At the moment, it certainly not bad. Best of luck to you!

 

[Shunwei]

My overall GPA is 3.6 and science is 3.5. I have a lot of volunteer hours b/c i did some work in Central America. I took the DAT like yesterday, so if I were to take it again, I would have to take it again in September, which is too late. Here are my complete scores:
PAT: 19
QR: 18
RC: 17
Bio: 18
GC: 19
OC: 19
TS: 19
AA: 18

So I did well on my sciences and for some reason bombed the reading. If I do retake the DAT, wouldn't be too late to apply? Also, what schools are considered "safety schools"

I suggest doing more schools and retake the DAT in September. Your stats are competitive at many schools but given the highly competitve atmosphere of dental school applicants nowadays you never know. Taking these measures might mean the difference between getting in this cycle vs. having to do apply again next year.

 

[socloseithurts]

thanks for the input guys. i really appreciate it! i might actually take the DAT again. lol, but first, i have to come up with the $200

 

[DCRedskinsRule]

thanks for the input guys. i really appreciate it! i might actually take the DAT again. lol, but first, i have to come up with the $200

Finally...another normal person on here who actually has to consider the financial aspect of taking/retaking tests, and applying to 20+ schools! lol

Best of luck!👍