HELP-What are my chances?

[JessieDDS?]

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HELP! I took the DAT and sucked, 17 science, 17 academic, 19 PAT. GPA 3.5 , science 3.3. Currently working in research, non-traditional student. Everyone on this site has such wonderful scores I am very nrevous about not getting in this year! I am a Minnesota resident, but willing to go anywhere that will take me. So far I applied to U of M, Iowa, Creighton, Marquette, Nevada, Nova and BU. Could someone please advise me how to get in or if there are other schools that may look more favorably on me?

 

[vixen]

hey you have a very good gpa...your dat's kinda low, but like i said, a very good gpa...apply to a range of schools and keep your options open...if you at least get an interview you could explain yourself on the dat (did you just not prepare enough?)...anyways, this is my second time applying now, and I had a low gpa and decent dat the first time (18 academic-2 years ago)...anyways, i gotta run, but good luck and don't lose hope 🙂

 

[Doctor2Be]

Dear JessieDDS:
if I were you, I would retake the DAT

 

[groundhog]

Jessie,
On a descending scale of excellent > good > average > poor: Your GPA's are good which indicates your are mature and persistant. Your PAT is good which indicates you have the motor skill aptitude to be a dentist. Your academic DAT and science DAT are average. However, I believe most adcoms look more favorabally upon a good GPA and average DAT versus a good DAT and average GPA. Moreover, a DAT issue is the easiest to fix. Did you take a DAT prep course? Having read many messages on this forum over the past two years regarding DAT scores and preparation, I believe most applicants who do well on the DAT take a prep course. Good luck

 

[sunwoongc]

You have a good GPA which is a good thing. DAT can be better but I'd bet you $20 that you will get into BU......they take a lot of out of state applicants. Plus according to last years incoming freshman stats in ADA's handbook guide watchamacallit thingy 😀 , the odds of getting into BU was 1/3!!!!! Dental school likes to see good GPA, avg DAT, not vice versa! Good luck! and remember my bet

steve

 

[DATMATT]

I think you will get in somewhere. I am in a similar situation but have not taken the DAT yet!

DATMATT

 

[DMD DOC]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Steve:
•You have a good GPA which is a good thing. DAT can be better but I'd bet you $20 that you will get into BU......they take a lot of out of state applicants. Plus according to last years incoming freshman stats in ADA's handbook guide watchamacallit thingy 😀 , the odds of getting into BU was 1/3!!!!! Dental school likes to see good GPA, avg DAT, not vice versa! Good luck! and remember my bet

steve•••••Steve--

I am attending BU and whats weird is that they will accept you conditionally. If you have a DAT lower than 19 or so they will send you a letter saying that you have been accepted pending you retake the DAT and score better. I was talking with the admissions staff and they say this is standard practice, since the turnover rate is so high due to the tuition. This is how/why the acceptance rate is 1/3 but the full acceptance rate is much higher, since the 1/3 takes into account conditional acceptances.

- DMD SOON

 

[JessieDDS?]

Thanks for all of the advise, I am still having nightmares about admissions. Is there anyone out there who is going to Minnesota and has advise for me for the interview or DAT? I REALLY don't want to retake that test. 🙁 Thanks!

 

[racemic01]

If you're pretty sure you can improve your DAT, I'd go ahead and retake it. If you studied quite a bit for the last DAT I would think twice about retaking it. You certainly don't want to do any worse.

Having said that, I'd guess your DAT is average to maybe just a bit below average for UMinn (granted I'm not familiar with that particular school - but it's a major state U dental school and they're all pretty similar). Your GPA is a bit above average which IMO is more important. Your numbers are probably fine, and I think you'll get in somewhere.

Have you gotten an interview already (seems early)? If you get an interview, your numbers are good enough for them, and now it's all about your personality.

Lastly, don't worry about the scores of ppl on this site. Remember that the average applicants don't have 19s and 20s (maybe 10% do). The average applicants and matriculants have 17s and 18s maybe 16s.

Good luck!

 

[sunwoongc]

DMD thanks for the info on BU.....I didn't know they had 'conditional' acceptances...I wasn't trying to knock on BU, in fact, I was all set to go there until I got my USC acceptance and I really wanted to stay in-state. I really liked BU's staff and facilities....both first rate if you ask me. But it is also true that they take A LOT of out of state applicants....in fact my ex who goes there tells me that more than 50% of her class is from cali....but have fun in BU DMD DOC!

steve

 

[deciduous]

retake the dat

RETAKE THE DAT

You can do it....you'll do better, and feel more comfortable come interview time. Take it from me!

 

[MYDDSDREAM]

I am certain that you will get in, I don't think that you need to retake the DAT. Don't stress too much!