Anyone know of schools or anyone who was given the chance for an interview with a 17 DAT? I have so much more to offer than a 17 DAT score, taken twice with experience, great letters of recommendation, average GPA (all important ones over a 3.0), masters degree, research in dentistry. I know the DAT is a huge part of acceptances but I feel like that test score shouldn't define me completely. I'm hoping for a chance a third time around.
Interviews with a 17 DAT?
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Look into private schools with an average AA of 19, as that would mean 50% were above 19 and 50% were below, and 17 isn't too far off from 19. Best thing for you to do though would be to retake and get a 19AA or higher.
This website might give you a rough idea of where to apply: What are your chances? Use the Dental School Admissions Calculator!
You can also check out the ADEA Dental School explorer ($25), which provides information regarding the average, 95th percentile, and 5th percentile of its matriculants in terms of oGPA, sGPA, and DAT.
What was your approach to studying for the DAT and for how long did you study? Can you give us a little bit more information regarding your science, bcpm and overall gpa for undergrad and grad school? Also if you got a 17AA sounds like potentially some of your science sections were <17. Some schools have cutoffs around 15-17.
Also have you received interview invites in the past? If not, it's definitely your metrics or letters of rec.
This website might give you a rough idea of where to apply: What are your chances? Use the Dental School Admissions Calculator!
You can also check out the ADEA Dental School explorer ($25), which provides information regarding the average, 95th percentile, and 5th percentile of its matriculants in terms of oGPA, sGPA, and DAT.
What was your approach to studying for the DAT and for how long did you study? Can you give us a little bit more information regarding your science, bcpm and overall gpa for undergrad and grad school? Also if you got a 17AA sounds like potentially some of your science sections were <17. Some schools have cutoffs around 15-17.
Also have you received interview invites in the past? If not, it's definitely your metrics or letters of rec.
I was lucky enough to receive a phone call from admissions of Colorado (I sent an email to admissions asking what I could do to improve to get in, also a school i'm dying to get into) that went over what the admissions commented on my application and basically I didn't receive an interview because I applied so late, they said I was a good student in their eyes, i've taken every science class I possibly could, my letters of recommendations were excellent, my GPAs have significantly improved at an upward slope from freshman year to senior year but they think I would have to try very hard in dental school (which is fine because I'm willing to do what it takes to get in). This call was before my science GPA went above a 2.8 and still had a D in bio II so this time around they have no idea that I improve both those. She had said on the phone if I were to retake the dental exam and received ONE more point, I would of basically gotten in. Taking that exam was very stressful, emotionally and mentally so to redo that for one more point was a tough decision for me. I feel as though it would of just been about the range they want their students testing at when they do their statistics. I was studying 16+ hours a day when I could, I've always been a good student, gotten great grades (other than freshman year of college). It's very hard to reteach yourself everything you went to college to learn. If i could afford a class that would teach me all these subjects, I feel as though I would of done significantly better but I honestly did my best for what I could afford and if they ask me why I didn't take it over a third time, I'll be honest and say I couldn't afford it. But all in all, VERY shocking news considering with that DAT score. Felt like that was a mile stone.
First time: 17AA, Math: 15, Bio: 16, Gen chem: 18, OChem: 17, Reading: 19, PAT: 17. Science GPA: 2.85, Graduate GPA: 3.6, Overall GPA: 3.1
Second time: 17 AA, Math: 15, Bio 17, Gen chem: 14 (no idea what happened), OChemistry: 17 Reading: 20, PAT 17. I'm hoping they see that because I received an 18 in gen chem the first time, I'm capable of it.
Study materials: bootcamp and chad's videos. Studied 16+ hours day on days off. I wish I could of afforded a kaplan course or tutor to teach me because thats what I needed. It's hard to relearn everything on my own.
Third time applying: Retook two science classes (one being Bio II that i previously got a D in, retook and received an A, boosted my science GPA to a 3.1, Overall: 3.26, Undergrad: 3.19 Graduate: 3.6 Post bacc: 4.0 (two science courses, BIO II with lab and human disease).
No interviews.
A lot of people on sdn are very supportive and sometimes refuse to give out the truth when it is needed. If you scour the forums there will always be stories of people with low grades and DAT scores that get but they are the very few. It's hard to play the devil's advocate when someone has a good personality like you but here it goes.
Here is a link for you to look at the averages and the lows:
forums.studentdoctor.net
Generally those with lower end GPA have great DAT and those with lower end DAT scores have great GPA. It is much rare for someone with lower end scores on both section to get in.
From my experience the calls from admissions from different schools are really just to tell you what you want to hear. I had appointments to talk to the admissions at several schools in California and to me it did not seem to do anything for my second time. It was only when I retook the DAT and scored much higher did I get accepted. I come from a poverty level family and could not afford much. Chad's vid and DAT bootcamp were my luxury items. Her telling you that one point would have gotten you in is something that you want to hear and thus will have you paying the admission fee all over again. The decision for you to be accepted is based of an admission committee (composed of several people and the decision does not lie with one person.
Your ethnicity also matters for scores. Some people get offended by this but affirmative action is real, so if you are a minority and your scores are not on par it will be much more favorable for you than if you are of the majority. Here is a link showing the scores for the DAT with ethnicity starting on page 29. I'm an Asian male 🙁
http://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Education and Careers/Files/dat_users_manual.ashx
It is good you got your masters and did well 🙂
Test scores and GPA don't define a person. It does not mean a person smart or dumb, It is indicator though. At the end of the day it is the key to door in front of you, which then leads to an interview and then finally an acceptance. Gotta have that key.
Truth: You have a low chance getting in so try and have a safety net in case but your persistence may become a great story of success. Keep in mind saying that the DAT was stressful and emotionally and mentally is not something you want to say during an interview if brought up. Dental school is much harder and there's the test to get your license which places much more pressure on you. If it does not work out do not beat yourself over it. I do not want someone ruining their lives because they were told to keep trying at all cost. I myself was on the verge of switching to IT before I got accepted. I literally had studied for the test and was going to take the A+ cert ahaha. A lot of the candidates have great letters (quite a few are able to write their own) and experiences (leaders of club, dentist experience since they were kids, nonprofit organizations).
Wish you all the best.
Here is a link for you to look at the averages and the lows:
Dental School Statistics
Hello SDN! I've completed a spreadsheet that contains every major information about every US school. The excel contains a dropdown under each column that allows you to organize the data. For example, if you want to rate schools based on average accepted science GPA, select the drop down under...
forums.studentdoctor.net
From my experience the calls from admissions from different schools are really just to tell you what you want to hear. I had appointments to talk to the admissions at several schools in California and to me it did not seem to do anything for my second time. It was only when I retook the DAT and scored much higher did I get accepted. I come from a poverty level family and could not afford much. Chad's vid and DAT bootcamp were my luxury items. Her telling you that one point would have gotten you in is something that you want to hear and thus will have you paying the admission fee all over again. The decision for you to be accepted is based of an admission committee (composed of several people and the decision does not lie with one person.
Your ethnicity also matters for scores. Some people get offended by this but affirmative action is real, so if you are a minority and your scores are not on par it will be much more favorable for you than if you are of the majority. Here is a link showing the scores for the DAT with ethnicity starting on page 29. I'm an Asian male 🙁
http://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Education and Careers/Files/dat_users_manual.ashx
It is good you got your masters and did well 🙂
Test scores and GPA don't define a person. It does not mean a person smart or dumb, It is indicator though. At the end of the day it is the key to door in front of you, which then leads to an interview and then finally an acceptance. Gotta have that key.
Truth: You have a low chance getting in so try and have a safety net in case but your persistence may become a great story of success. Keep in mind saying that the DAT was stressful and emotionally and mentally is not something you want to say during an interview if brought up. Dental school is much harder and there's the test to get your license which places much more pressure on you. If it does not work out do not beat yourself over it. I do not want someone ruining their lives because they were told to keep trying at all cost. I myself was on the verge of switching to IT before I got accepted. I literally had studied for the test and was going to take the A+ cert ahaha. A lot of the candidates have great letters (quite a few are able to write their own) and experiences (leaders of club, dentist experience since they were kids, nonprofit organizations).
Wish you all the best.
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Did you try to apply for Colorado postbac program before going the master route? If you're set on colorado, that seem like the better option as it gurantee you a seat at their school upon completion.
Thank you so much! I will keep trying. I know I have a little chance but it’s all I have to go off of right now.A lot of people on sdn are very supportive and sometimes refuse to give out the truth when it is needed. If you scour the forums there will always be stories of people with low grades and DAT scores that get but they are the very few. It's hard to play the devil's advocate when someone has a good personality like you but here it goes.
Here is a link for you to look at the averages and the lows:
Generally those with lower end GPA have great DAT and those with lower end DAT scores have great GPA. It is much rare for someone with lower end scores on both section to get in.Dental School Statistics
Hello SDN! I've completed a spreadsheet that contains every major information about every US school. The excel contains a dropdown under each column that allows you to organize the data. For example, if you want to rate schools based on average accepted science GPA, select the drop down under...
From my experience the calls from admissions from different schools are really just to tell you what you want to hear. I had appointments to talk to the admissions at several schools in California and to me it did not seem to do anything for my second time. It was only when I retook the DAT and scored much higher did I get accepted. I come from a poverty level family and could not afford much. Chad's vid and DAT bootcamp were my luxury items. Her telling you that one point would have gotten you in is something that you want to hear and thus will have you paying the admission fee all over again. The decision for you to be accepted is based of an admission committee (composed of several people and the decision does not lie with one person.
Your ethnicity also matters for scores. Some people get offended by this but affirmative action is real, so if you are a minority and your scores are not on par it will be much more favorable for you than if you are of the majority. Here is a link showing the scores for the DAT with ethnicity starting on page 29. I'm an Asian male 🙁
http://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Education and Careers/Files/dat_users_manual.ashx
It is good you got your masters and did well 🙂
Test scores and GPA don't define a person. It does not mean a person smart or dumb, It is indicator though. At the end of the day it is the key to door in front of you, which then leads to an interview and then finally an acceptance. Gotta have that key.
Truth: You have a low chance getting in so try and have a safety net in case but your persistence may become a great story of success. Keep in mind saying that the DAT was stressful and emotionally and mentally is not something you want to say during an interview if brought up. Dental school is much harder and there's the test to get your license which places much more pressure on you. If it does not work out do not beat yourself over it. I do not want someone ruining their lives because they were told to keep trying at all cost. I myself was on the verge of switching to IT before I got accepted. I literally had studied for the test and was going to take the A+ cert ahaha. A lot of the candidates have great letters (quite a few are able to write their own) and experiences (leaders of club, dentist experience since they were kids, nonprofit organizations).
Wish you all the best.
I thought about it but because I did a bachelors and went to a year and a half masters, I really couldn’t fathom going back for another two years in a post bacc program.
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I think your best and cheapest option would be to retake. Give it one more try. Colorado willing to work with you, but you have to give them something to work with.
I don’t disagree, I think I might. It’s just tough to take it a third time, it’s really frustrating and heartbreaking to keep trying and failing.
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Trust me, I know where you are coming from. I took the test four times. I think if you manage to get a 19AA, you will get in. Colorado love applicants that show persistence.
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We are very similar. You can get into a PhD program and continue to work on your grades and to become more competitive. Retake the DAT. You can’t get less than a 17 in any section. The only way to combat this is to retake and do a PhD. You don’t have to finish the PhD. Just get in and show dental schools you are resilient.
Wow four times, you poor thing. Did you eventually get into schools? I hope.
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Yea i eventually got in. Get in touch with Dr. Durgans. He love an underdog. He will do his best to help you in anyway he can.
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I applaud persistence for something worthwhile. Unfortunately this does not seem the case. Once again I will remind anyone who reads my posts that dental school is populated by high achievers, and the anecdotal stories of individuals who have gained entrance with low scores are a small fraction of the entire population. Admission is not graduation, and I would be interested to hear about the experiences of those who have successfully completed dental school in the prescribed amount of time who entered with low scores on both the DAT and sGPA. Was it tougher for them? Did they finish in the top 50% of the class? Let's limit the pool to those who got in without a post bac or masters. Of course there is no way to verify anyone's post, but for arguments sake, let's leave this question open so that those who consistently post "chance me" will have something to go on.
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The postbacc is only a year
How do you get ahold of him? Does he work at the dental school?
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I think most schools when they choose you want to see you graduate, no? It’s a mutualistic endeavor. You invest in them and they invest in you.
Being admitted doesn’t mean graduating just like graduating doesn’t mean successful practice which also doesn’t mean successful,
happy family etc. etc.
I have classmates who kick butt academically who also have better hands skills and they received a 17AA+. They seem to be doing a lot better than those with higher.
You can also take one science class per semester and major in arts and have a really high sGPA while getting your prerequisites completed.
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Many schools that have a low DAT average will interview you if you have otherwise a solid application. But, the 4 schools that accept the most students with less than 18 DAT are Howard, Meharry, Wester, and Puerto Rico. Unless you are a URM, Western is probably your best bet. Also, a few other private schools may interview you depending on other parts of your application.
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Dental Coach...check your grammar and spelling. I hope you are doing better with the client's PS's.
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Not interested in those with a high sGPA, no matter how they recieved it. Only want to know about low GPA/lowDAT students who were admitted to dental school.
