I took a DAT today (4-21-08)

[tikanika]

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Hi guys! It is my first post, but I have been reading this forum for about 2 years. Anyway, today was the second time I took DAt, I tried last July with AA 17 and several really low scores. I applied only to one school just to try the process out and obvoiusly did not get in. My today's scores are
QR 16
PAT 16
Bio 19
Orgo 20
Gen Chem 18
RC 20
AA 19
TS 19
I graduate in 2 weeks with BA in Philosphy and minor in Biology plus all the prereqs. My GPA should be around 3.9 and science around 3.8 (no Cs at all, one B and 2 B+) I have>1000 hours of voluntiring as red cross dental assistant. Plan to work as assistant starting in August. I really want to get in this year. What you guys think, do I have a chance? I just do not have it in me to retake again with 2 kids (3 and 5 years, deployed AD husband and school commute 3 hours daily). I do not really know where I want to go or even to apply my only requirment is an AF base within a commute distance, because I want to see my family on a regular bases

 

[dmd4u]

I am also a af wife, 2 kids and commuting to school everyday...isn't that funny🙂 I take the DAT in 2 weeks. I think your scores seem pretty good, I know what you mean about needing to be done with it I really hope I can say that in 2 weeks. SIUE is in illinois right next the Scott AFB. Thats where we are and seems like a pretty good deal as far as being close to home🙂 Good luck with everything, good to hear of someone in my shoes🙂🙂👍

 

[TempleDMDKrazd]

Hi guys! It is my first post, but I have been reading this forum for about 2 years. Anyway, today was the second time I took DAt, I tried last July with AA 17 and several really low scores. I applied only to one school just to try the process out and obvoiusly did not get in. My today's scores are
QR 16
PAT 16
Bio 19
Orgo 20
Gen Chem 18
RC 20
AA 19
TS 19
I graduate in 2 weeks with BA in Philosphy and minor in Biology plus all the prereqs. My GPA should be around 3.9 and science around 3.8 (no Cs at all, one B and 2 B+) I have>1000 hours of voluntiring as red cross dental assistant. Plan to work as assistant starting in August. I really want to get in this year. What you guys think, do I have a chance? I just do not have it in me to retake again with 2 kids (3 and 5 years, deployed AD husband and school commute 3 hours daily). I do not really know where I want to go or even to apply my only requirment is an AF base within a commute distance, because I want to see my family on a regular bases

turn the application in early and you should get plenty of interviews...great GPA BTW

 

[Gioia87]

Hello Guys,
This is my first post but i have been visiting the website too.
I have no idea if my DAT scores would get me into any dental schools, but i do have a good GPA. my scores were
PAT: 18
AA: 19
TS: 21
Biology: 18
Gen. Chem: 23
Orgo Chem 20
RC: 17
QR: 18

And mMy GPA is 3.9
What do u guys think?

Thanks a lot

 

[small]

You'll get in, just check what schools (if any) have a cut-off for PAT and QR scores before you apply so you don't waste your time & money with them. Also, apply to a lot of schools (if I were in your shoes, I'd probably apply to about 7-8 schools) and do your research so you know what schools you have the best chance getting into. Congratulations!

 

[tikanika]

dmd4u, I am really glad to hear that there are people in my shoes as well. I am comletely brain dead today, the kids are in bed and I am making a margarita))) Good luck, the test was not that hard my main problem was time, especially in QR and PAT. Let me know if you need any moral support)))

 

[jay47]

dmd4u, I am really glad to hear that there are people in my shoes as well. I am comletely brain dead today, the kids are in bed and I am making a margarita))) Good luck, the test was not that hard my main problem was time, especially in QR and PAT. Let me know if you need any moral support)))

There are probably lots of people in ur position. I really have to commend you on your volunteer hours with the Red Cross. That is something that a lot of dental schools will (or definitely should!) take into consideration. It's not about DAT, GPA, or who's the smartest, it's about who really wants to take care of people effectively, nicely, and with the patients' best interests.

I will say though, I think dental schools generally look at the school you went to when they look at gpa. For example, a GPA at a school like the University of Texas, UCLA, Rice, Boston College would probably be "weighted" if you will, more than the same gpa from say, Midwestern Junior College (hypothetical) etc... I have talked with many of the deans and admissions officers and they also seem to care a lot about upper level courses, they like to see people who have pushed themselves; taken at least 15 hours (given they didn't work full time, or have kid like in ur case!) every semester and have taken classes that will prepare them for dental school, such as Biochem 2, Anatomy, Physiology, etc...

One thing that an admissions officer said that struck me as interesting was that they said they take every single file seriously. They know that these are life-changing decisions they are making and they always look at everyone's situation and their background to make sure they choose the best 100 people or so to fill those seats.

 

[bounty101]

Your DAT is average but your GPA is stellar. So you have a great chance to get in. You should apply to a fair amount of schools though. Maybe 15.

 

[jswizdent]

Ladies with your gpa's and dat scores you should get in as long as the rest of your application is solid. dat scores are above ave. most studets get a 17-18. Your gpa are much higher then the average this will help. apply to at least 10 school and everything should be ok. remember their is more to an application then gpa and dat scores. I see it so much were students apply with a 20 and decent gpa 3.4-3.5ish and don't get in after applying to 10 schools because they sucked up the interviews or the rest of their application was poor--->personal statement, volunteer, shadowing etc.....
note in an interview you really have to show that you are passionate about the field.

All in all your in good shape
nice work👍

 

[tikanika]

Hey Jay, Thanx for the input. My school sutuation is kind a unique. I have only lived in the US for 5 years and a lot of my major courses are from overseas. But all my sciences abd degree are from University of West Florida. I was well aware about Community College situation and that is why I drove pretty much 3 hours a day to school. I have several upper division biology (like genetics, biochem and molecular). Overall I have like 300 credit hours of school. Hopefully I have enough to cover these part. The whole system of US schools is kind a unfamiliar to me, so it is really good to know that people in dental schools really care. I know appliction is a key to get an interview, so I'd rewrite my essay))) Thank you everyone for the input and support, you rock!!!

 

[Gioia87]

Hello everyone,

i just wanted to thank u all for the feedback..eventhough i couldnt figure out exactly who was responding to my post..😕

thank uuuuuu🙂

 

[dmd4u]

Tikanika!! YOu are in FLorida? Where at thats where I am from.... Are you on myspace or anything like that? It would be cool to keep in touch and support each other through all this!! LEt me know!

 

[heatwheat]

Make sure to apply early and to A LOT of schools, and you should make it.