How Are People With Low RC Scores Doing?

[Double Bonded]

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Hey guys,

I was curious to see how other people with low/lowish RC scores relative to other sections on their DAT are doing in the application process. I got an 18 RC, 22AA, 23 TS, 20 PAT and I only have 2 interviews (# of interviews/#applied = 10% for me).

I'm skeptical about getting more because all my applications were complete by the end of July and most of the schools I applied to have already given out interviews, so they've probably looked at my application and put me on hold or something.
I suppose 2 interviews is better than nothing though.

How are other people with low(ish) RC scores doing?

 

[KenKim]

Hey guys,

I was curious to see how other people with low/lowish RC scores relative to other sections on their DAT are doing in the application process. I got an 18 RC, 22AA, 23 TS, 20 PAT and I only have 2 interviews (# of interviews/#applied = 10% for me).

I'm skeptical about getting more because all my applications were complete by the end of July and most of the schools I applied to have already given out interviews, so they've probably looked at my application and put me on hold or something.
I suppose 2 interviews is better than nothing though.

How are other people with low(ish) RC scores doing?

i have low RC like you. but its not holding me back. i have 4 interviews and one of the is UNLV. UNLV puts HEAVY emphasis on RC. like a big chunk of their acceptance formula is RC section of the DAT. but the fact that i got an interview from them with same RC score as you, RC is not whats holding you back

 

[DJPaulyDDS]

I have a 17rc and 5 interviews this far. I have een complete for a while but haven't heard from quite a few. I'm feeling ok for now. Hoping for a few more though.

 

[wizi]

Guys,

18 or 17 in RC is NOOOOTTTT low.

 

[MrAvicii]

Guys,

18 or 17 in RC is NOOOOTTTT low.

http://www.ada.org/sections/educationAndCareers/pdfs/dat_estimate_score.pdf

based on this file (not sure how old it is) 17 or 18 is pretty bad, its below the average for all test takers (not only the admitted applicants)

i am not trying to be mean but reading is reading, how can a native english speaker get a 17? thats like 27th percentile. dont you think thats kind of embrassing?

 

[dmdluffy]

http://www.ada.org/sections/educationAndCareers/pdfs/dat_estimate_score.pdf

based on this file (not sure how old it is) 17 or 18 is pretty bad, its below the average for all test takers (not only the admitted applicants)

i am not trying to be mean but reading is reading, how can a native english speaker get a 17? thats like 27th percentile. dont you think thats kind of embrassing?

Wow I didn't know that the national average for RC was 19. TIL haha

 

[BMS36]

19/20/21 AA/TS/P with 18 RC and 6 interviews so far. There are other aspects to your application besides GPA and DAT!

 

[dmdluffy]

19/20/21 AA/TS/P with 18 RC and 6 interviews so far. There are other aspects to your application besides GPA and DAT!

What's your GPA?

 

[Double Bonded]

wtf...now I'm feeling like complete ****. I've got a 3.7 GPA and a 3.5 sGPA, I was in the first batch, my application complete emails came at the end of July, and I only have 2 interviews.

Should I call schools to see what the issue is?

 

[dentalWorks]

wtf...now I'm feeling like complete ****. I've got a 3.7 GPA and a 3.5 sGPA, I was in the first batch, my application complete emails came at the end of July, and I only have 2 interviews.

Should I call schools to see what the issue is?

Have you met the LOR requirement for each school? they are VERY picky about this stuff and many of them won't review (nor contact you) the application until EVERYTHING is turned in.

 

[Double Bonded]

Have you met the LOR requirement for each school? they are VERY picky about this stuff and many of them won't review (nor contact you) the application until EVERYTHING is turned in.

Yup. Everything is in and I received "Your file is complete and will now be sent for review" e-mails in late July. I'm really starting to get concerned.

 

[DJPaulyDDS]

http://www.ada.org/sections/educationAndCareers/pdfs/dat_estimate_score.pdf

based on this file (not sure how old it is) 17 or 18 is pretty bad, its below the average for all test takers (not only the admitted applicants)

i am not trying to be mean but reading is reading, how can a native english speaker get a 17? thats like 27th percentile. dont you think thats kind of embrassing?[/QUOTE/]

lol I'll get over it. There's worse things I'n life. Just goes to show stats aren't e everything sometimes...

 

[imayemeni89]

Have 3 interviews with an 18 RC score, i feel like that is holding me back too. Alot of the schools I've applied to have not even responded back

 

[shdwpally]

wtf...now I'm feeling like complete ****. I've got a 3.7 GPA and a 3.5 sGPA, I was in the first batch, my application complete emails came at the end of July, and I only have 2 interviews.

Should I call schools to see what the issue is?

My stats are in profile and I've only received 1 interview. Starting to worry a bit too

 

[buzz123]

My stats are in profile and I've only received 1 interview. Starting to worry a bit too

Hey, your stats are great! I won't worry too much if I were you because I consider now is still early to lose hope. 🙂
Btw, I've got an interview invite from the same school as you have. I also have low rc score.

 

[Double Bonded]

i have low RC like you. but its not holding me back. i have 4 interviews and one of the is UNLV. UNLV puts HEAVY emphasis on RC. like a big chunk of their acceptance formula is RC section of the DAT. but the fact that i got an interview from them with same RC score as you, RC is not whats holding you back

I have a 17rc and 5 interviews this far. I have een complete for a while but haven't heard from quite a few. I'm feeling ok for now. Hoping for a few more though.

19/20/21 AA/TS/P with 18 RC and 6 interviews so far. There are other aspects to your application besides GPA and DAT!

Have 3 interviews with an 18 RC score, i feel like that is holding me back too. Alot of the schools I've applied to have not even responded back

If you guys don't mind me asking, when was your mailing date and when did you complete most of your applications by?

 

[BMS36]

3.37 oGPA 3.5 BCP. AADSAS sent out 7-13

 

[MrAvicii]

http://www.ada.org/sections/educationAndCareers/pdfs/dat_estimate_score.pdf

based on this file (not sure how old it is) 17 or 18 is pretty bad, its below the average for all test takers (not only the admitted applicants)

i am not trying to be mean but reading is reading, how can a native english speaker get a 17? thats like 27th percentile. dont you think thats kind of embrassing?[/QUOTE/]

lol I'll get over it. There's worse things I'n life. Just goes to show stats aren't e everything sometimes...

lol not saying anything just wondering why native speakers (who only know 1 language) cant score better than a 27th percentile lol

 

[TeethRgreat]

Lol....I got a 16 RC (20AA), and got 8 interviews last year. English is my first language (and only language). I submitted/finished my application in late September. I'm in the top 10% of my dental class right now. Kthxbye.

 

[Double Bonded]

lol not saying anything just wondering why native speakers (who only know 1 language) cant score better than a 27th percentile lol

I have no freaking clue dude. Both my Total Science and Academic Average are in the 99 percentile. I thought I killed RC and when that score showed up I was really surprised (I almost sent in $60 for an audit).

I would hope that adcoms look more at how I did in the science sections (possibly because of all the science classes taught in dental school).

 

[Double Bonded]

Lol....I got a 16 RC (20AA), and got 8 interviews last year. I submitted/finished my application in late September. I'm in the top 10% of my dental class right now. Kthxbye.

Congrats. Were most of the interviews after december?

 

[TeethRgreat]

Congrats. Were most of the interviews after december?

Yeah, I only got one pre-december interview and the rest were in Jan/Feb/March. Your 18 is fine and isn't holding you back. You'll get into plenty of schools, your scores are great. Don't let this site freak you out

 

[MrAvicii]

I have no freaking clue dude. Both my Total Science and Academic Average are in the 99 percentile. I thought I killed RC and when that score showed up I was really surprised (I almost sent in $60 for an audit).

I would hope that adcoms look more at how I did in the science sections (possibly because of all the science classes taught in dental school).

dude i hear you, i do wish u the best of luck. we are all the in the same boat...hunting the same big whale!

 

[Demps]

I have no freaking clue dude. Both my Total Science and Academic Average are in the 99 percentile. I thought I killed RC and when that score showed up I was really surprised (I almost sent in $60 for an audit).

I would hope that adcoms look more at how I did in the science sections (possibly because of all the science classes taught in dental school).

Dude I hear you man. I also have 18RC and I absolutely destroyed the science section like you did. Best luck to you brotha

 

[Demps]

May I ask where your from (state)?? I really don't think it is the 18RC in the DAT that is holding you back.

 

[wizi]

Lol....I got a 16 RC (20AA), and got 8 interviews last year. English is my first language (and only language). I submitted/finished my application in late September. I'm in the top 10% of my dental class right now. Kthxbye.

I got 14 RC (19AA) and have got 3 interviews (pre-dec) so far... So dont make it as a big deal when you get 18 and have 3.7+ GPA.

I feel like this post is where people show off their grades.

 

[bing12]

I got 14 RC (19AA) and have got 3 interviews (pre-dec) so far... So dont make it as a big deal when you get 18 and have 3.7+ GPA.

I feel like this post is where people show off their grades.

are you a URM? what state are you from? a 14 RC is extremely low.

 

[wizi]

are you a URM? what state are you from? a 14 RC is extremely low.

No, I am an Asian. English is my 2nd language although I dont think it helps my case that much but you never know. I dont have a 4.0 either. Prob below average a bit.

And yes, 14 is top 10 from the bottom 😀

if I do get in somewhere, Ill share my story with the world.

 

[bing12]

No, I am an Asian. English is my 2nd language although I dont think it helps my case but you never know.

And yes, 14 is top 10 from the bottom 😀

if I do get in somewhere, Ill share my story with the world.

oh ok, so your an international student?

 

[wizi]

oh ok, so your an international student?

Oh no. I have been in the states for about 7 years. got my citizenship and everything. Sorry i wasnt clear.

 

[bing12]

Oh no. I have been in the states for about 7 years. got my citizenship and everything. Sorry i wasnt clear.

Oh ok, well I am assuming you must be a resident of a state not located in the northeast/cali/florida/ texas?

 

[wizi]

Oh ok, well I am assuming you must be a resident of a state not located in the northeast/cali/florida/ texas?

yessss.... I am in the East coast

 

[MrAvicii]

Lol....I got a 16 RC (20AA), and got 8 interviews last year. English is my first language (and only language). I submitted/finished my application in late September. I'm in the top 10% of my dental class right now. Kthxbye.

i didnt say you cant be successful w/o a good rc score, just wondering how native speakers can score so low. its my 2nd language and i scored in the high 90s on it.

 

[TeethRgreat]

i didnt say you cant be successful w/o a good rc score, just wondering how native speakers can score so low. its my 2nd language and i scored in the high 90s on it.

My point was just that some people are not the greatest test takers and the tests do not accurately reflect how "smart" someone is in that subject. Obviously I can read. I just suck at the RC section on the DAT, I always run out of time. Also, some people get lucky and get a passage that they are already well informed about so they do not even have to read the passage. Lots of people with English as their first language do not do well on that section.

 

[Coenobita]

I got an 18 in RC and the rest of my scores were 19-21. I have 8 interviews..woot woot! I'm not URM, international, or whatever else. I really do think applying early and submitting secondaries early helps a lot.

 

[MrAvicii]

My point was just that some people are not the greatest test takers and the tests do not accurately reflect how "smart" someone is in that subject. Obviously I can read. I just suck at the RC section on the DAT, I always run out of time. Also, some people get lucky and get a passage that they are already well informed about so they do not even have to read the passage. Lots of people with English as their first language do not do well on that section.

well actually the DAT has a very easy reading section, most exams i.e. LSAT and GMAT have significantly harder English or Reading sections. And the MCAT stresses the reading section because its the only section you cant really "study or cram for." I am not responding to bash you or your score, but its kind of sad that math and reading & writing are the weakest areas of most applicants, when in reality they should be the core fundamentals of any education. Even the highest scoring Natural Sciences applicants, might have a low RC or math score. To me it seems to speak volumes about the US educational system (i.e. K-12th grade.)

 

[TeethRgreat]

well actually the DAT has a very easy reading section, most exams i.e. LSAT and GMAT have significantly harder English or Reading sections. And the MCAT stresses the reading section because its the only section you cant really "study or cram for." I am not responding to bash you or your score, but its kind of sad that math and reading & writing are the weakest areas of most applicants, when in reality they should be the core fundamentals of any education. Even the highest scoring Natural Sciences applicants, might have a low RC or math score. To me it seems to speak volumes about the US educational system (i.e. K-12th grade.)

Math, reading, and writing are the weakest for most applicants simply because of time constraints, not because they do not know it. You barely get a minute per problem in the math section, and you do not have enough time to fully read the passages in the RC section to answer the questions (which is why Kaplan instructs their students to just write down key points and words, and then refer back to that portion of the passage to answer each question). I do agree with you that the DAT RC portion is much easier than those other exams.

 

[Double Bonded]

May I ask where your from (state)?? I really don't think it is the 18RC in the DAT that is holding you back.

I'm from California.

It's possible that being a psychology major is holding me back. I've only taken 2 upper div bio classes (Biochem and Anatomy and I'm in 2 more this semester).

 

[MrAvicii]

Math, reading, and writing are the weakest for most applicants simply because of time constraints, not because they do not know it. You barely get a minute per problem in the math section, and you do not have enough time to fully read the passages in the RC section to answer the questions (which is why Kaplan instructs their students to just write down key points and words, and then refer back to that portion of the passage to answer each question). I do agree with you that the DAT RC portion is much easier than those other exams.

agreed but this is a standardized exam, if you had 15 more minutes, everyone would score significantly better. you have to put time constraints to test intelligence and comprehension. all in all, i still think native speakers, should in theory, do significantly better in these sections, i dunno if there is a valid reason why a person wouldn't. but again just my 2 cents.

 

[NguyenDDS]

This person on predents has excellent stats (EXCEPT the RC 14), and received 2 interviews.

 

[John Durian]

This person on predents has excellent stats (EXCEPT the RC 14), and received 2 interviews.

He had a 14 on RC/QR and got two interviews. Miraculous. Back to the OP's question. Our stats are similar (except RC was a little higher)... got in last cycle. So don't worry.