How much does DAT score matter compared to GPA?

[IdleKoala]

Hey guys,

This is kinda gunna be a "what are my chances getting in" type post but im genuinely interested in hearing your guys opinions.

My GPA is (3.94), which took a lot of hard work and dedication. The reason for this is partially due to the fact that I have been extremely blessed with great professors. I also took some of my hard prerequisites ( Gen Chem and O Chem) in my senior year of high school and freshman year of college respectively, when I had more time to study for them. I also tend to learn well with the clearly defined learning objectives presented in college courses.

My issue right now is the DAT. I will be taking the DAT May 25th (43 days) and I do not feel particularly confident in my ability to score well. I haven't taken a full length practice test yet ( im saving them for the last month of studying), but on the individual subject tests I've taken I tend to score between 17-19 across the board on all subjects, with my PAT score being a little higher. So lets on average say im scoring a 18AA and 20PAT.

My question is could my GPA out weigh a sub-par DAT score? I know that nobody can answer 100%, but i'd love to hear if any of you have heard different things from admissions committees or from personal experience.

I have heard that GPA tends to be weighted more, since Dental school is more similar to under grad, and that schools are slightly forgiving on DAT score because its just one exam, and maybe you had an off day on test day or didn't sleep much the night before etc.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

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[predent2151]

People with 3.2 and 24 AA get in all of the time. People with 3.9 and 18 AA get in way less. To many factors go into GPA. The DAT is the equalizer.

 

[ProspectivePostPreDent]

People with 3.2 and 24 AA get in all of the time. People with 3.9 and 18 AA get in way less. To many factors go into GPA. The DAT is the equalizer.

What is your source on this? None of the data aggregates I've seen combine GPA and DAT.

 

[predent2151]

What is your source on this? None of the data aggregates I've seen combine GPA and DAT.

Mostly based off what I’ve seen on here, what admissions have told me, and common sense. If you have a 3.9 throughout college why shouldn’t you score at least a 21 on the DAT it’s really not a hard test. If you score a 24 and have a 3.2 you could’ve went to an extremely rigorous school like MIT or U of Chicago, for example. You could’ve also had a hard major such as engineering or physics.

 

[IdleKoala]

Mostly based off what I’ve seen on here, what admissions have told me, and common sense. If you have a 3.9 throughout college why shouldn’t you score at least a 21 on the DAT it’s really not a hard test. If you score a 24 and have a 3.2 you could’ve went to an extremely rigorous school like MIT or U of Chicago, for example. You could’ve also had a hard major such as engineering or physics.

This makes sense. Even though both are important, I've heard my Pre-Dental Adviser say that you should have at least a 3.3 if you apply. I just gotta try to score as high as I can! Thats all we can hope for.

 

[artist2022]

My question is could my GPA out weigh a sub-par DAT score?

I would say no. The DAT is an equalizer. I think generally this is what adcoms view certain combos as:
High GPA + high DAT --> smart student! Knows what they're doing, will most likely be able to handle a rigorous dental curriculum
Low GPA + high DAT --> smart student, but their undergrad must've been difficult (think Ivy League, top tier UCs, etc), will be able to handle
High GPA + low DAT --> grade inflation at undergrad (easy to get A's and thus GPA is high, did not perform as well on the equalizer), retake (to an extent)
Low GPA + low DAT --> questions all around, retake

I have heard that GPA tends to be weighted more, since Dental school is more similar to under grad, and that schools are slightly forgiving on DAT score because its just one exam, and maybe you had an off day on test day or didn't sleep much the night before etc.

I haven't heard this at all, I think GPA and DAT are equal in weight and I don't think they're forgiving on a low score.... they expect you to put your all into it, and you should aim to only take it once....dental school is hard, much harder than this one test.

 

[IdleKoala]

I haven't heard this at all, I think GPA and DAT are equal in weight and I don't think they're forgiving on a low score.... they expect you to put your all into it, and you should aim to only take it once....dental school is hard, much harder than this one test.

Yeah I agree with this. By low score I didn’t mean like 16 or 17 DAT, you probably can’t get in with those scores, I was thinking 18-19. I think you will be at least considered if you have a good GPA and an average DAT, whereas if both are low you won’t be. And then maybe your application can stand out to them.

 

[Daniel Schruth]

It is very possible that having a very high GPA like yours will increase the likelihood of you receiving an interview. However, remember that the main purpose of standardized tests is to level the playing field for all applicants, and a high GPA paired with a low DAT score will likely be a red flag to admissions committees.

Rather, I would think of your GPA that you must have worked very hard to attain as a form of motivation as you study for the DAT. You put in lots of time and effort for your GPA, and you will want your DAT to reflect your work ethic and intelligence. It would not be advisable to use your GPA as a crutch.

Another factor to consider is that if you do study hard for the DAT and end up with a good score, you may find yourself receiving acceptances to oftentimes more competitive in-state schools or even receiving merit-based scholarships, both of which could help lower the financial burden of dental school significantly. Congratulations on your GPA, and best of luck to you on the DAT!

 

[UMDDS]

My own personal anecdote here but...

I took the DAT and got an 18AA/20TS/19PAT and decided to retake w/ a 3.7 GPA. I retook and got a 21AA/23TS/22PAT. I ended up getting 5 interviews and accepted into my top choice, which is also a top university in the nation (not bragging, just context) as well as two other schools.

A buddy of mine with a better GPA in a tough major (biochem), same university, and VERY similar DAT score (same AA) didn't retake. He applied to all the schools I did, but didn't get in anywhere, in state or otherwise. Maybe the DAT wasn't the difference, but what if it was? We both had bad days in the testing center and were capable of the second score I got, but you don't see that on his application.

That being said, obviously the strength of your EC's and interview obviously counts, and your GPA is stellar, but you need to keep pushing for a high AA and I would recommend retaking if you fall short. Don't get complacent w/ a mediocre DAT when your GPA is what it is. It added a sense of security to my app that if a school doesn't take me, I know that it's more bad fit than my own academic accomplishments. Also, if you want to do any scholarship programs like the HPSP, you want to have a high DAT as well as GPA as they become more selective every year that tuition rises. Just my two cents, best of luck!