Is it true that a high GPA (3.8-4.0) looks bad when coupled with a 19AA DAT?

[bff1990]

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Does that mean that the school that this person goes to is easy? I mean the national average of matriculating dental students is 19 and some students even score lower while going to better ranked schools.

Also is 19AA really a bad score? Harvard, columbia, and Penn averages are around 22-23 so that is only a few points below like the best schools in the country.

What do you guys think?

 

[aqz]

It depends on what kind of 19 AA you have. If you have 19s across the board, there's no worries except for the top schools that have averages of 21-22 across the board. But if you have maybe a 23 in QR but a 16 or 17 in RC, that would be cause for concern.

It also depends on if you're applying now or next year to determine if you -should- retake.

For some reason, and correct me if I'm wrong, I feel like the DAT matters more than your GPA without considering upward trends. Of course, some schools clearly indicate that GPA matters more, but this is my theory.

The DAT is supposedly a "standardized test". We all know that's not completely true considering different people who studied different materials took different tests. However, if you compare it to every student's GPA from the thousands of 4-year universities across the nation, DAT is definitely more standardized. In fact, dschools aren't stupid. They know that a 3.9 at a certain institution from a certain program isn't as impressive as maybe a 3.5 from another institution.

Now, whether you believe that your school/program is hard or easy is up to you to decide.

All that I'm saying is you know that your DAT is "average". If you truly think that you had to work for a 3.9 in comparison to some guy who cruised through with a 3.9 (natural talent aside), then you don't need a retake. But if you're even the slightest bit worried and know that you'll regret not retaking if you somehow don't get admitted, then retake it by all means. A 3.9 doesn't look right with a 19 AA for a reason. You clearly have the ability to get 20+, so why not right?

 

[BRZ24]

lol funny how I am being talked about right now.

 

[bff1990]

It depends on what kind of 19 AA you have. If you have 19s across the board, there's no worries except for the top schools that have averages of 21-22 across the board. But if you have maybe a 23 in QR but a 16 or 17 in RC, that would be cause for concern.

It also depends on if you're applying now or next year to determine if you -should- retake.

For some reason, and correct me if I'm wrong, I feel like the DAT matters more than your GPA without considering upward trends. Of course, some schools clearly indicate that GPA matters more, but this is my theory.

The DAT is supposedly a "standardized test". We all know that's not completely true considering different people who studied different materials took different tests. However, if you compare it to every student's GPA from the thousands of 4-year universities across the nation, DAT is definitely more standardized. In fact, dschools aren't stupid. They know that a 3.9 at a certain institution from a certain program isn't as impressive as maybe a 3.5 from another institution.

Now, whether you believe that your school/program is hard or easy is up to you to decide.

All that I'm saying is you know that your DAT is "average". If you truly think that you had to work for a 3.9 in comparison to some guy who cruised through with a 3.9 (natural talent aside), then you don't need a retake. But if you're even the slightest bit worried and know that you'll regret not retaking if you somehow don't get admitted, then retake it by all means. A 3.9 doesn't look right with a 19 AA for a reason. You clearly have the ability to get 20+, so why not right?

I see.

Also let say that student did in fact go to an unranked school (or CC). Do you feel adcom would be more understanding

thanks.

 

[bff1990]

lol funny how i am being talked about right now.

huh??

 

[aqz]

I see.

Also let say that student did in fact go to an unranked school (or CC). Do you feel adcom would be more understanding

thanks.

"That student" so it's not you I'm assuming. Is "that student" really BRZ? 😕

Like I said in my first post, adcoms aren't clueless. They know that not all institutions are the same. So I guess I'm kind of confused by your question. I would guess that the applicants going to unranked schools/CC would have a harder time getting admitted as compared to a 4-year applicant with the same stats. Not sure what you mean by "more understanding".

 

[dentalgirl16]

What about a 3.7 GPA paired with a 21 AA/TS?

 

[bff1990]

What about a 3.7 GPA paired with a 21 AA/TS?

What do you thinK??😡

 

[dentalgirl16]

I only ask because people have been telling me different things--some say retake, others say don't.

 

[bff1990]

I only ask because people have been telling me different things--some say retake, others say don't.

If you are smart enough to get a 3.7/21AA. I would think you have some common sense as well. Harvard's Average DAT score is 22. You are only one point below. What do you think???

 

[aqz]

Sigh. I really wish everyone could just be the bigger man when it comes to these things....

But then everyone gives me crap for my scores.

Just leave her alone bff, and dentalgirl....if you really want to know you could just make your own thread you know.

 

[Glimmer1991]

This thread is confusing in so many ways.

Anyhow, I think it would be peculiar to have a 4.0 and a low DAT. I go to a tiny school and have good grades, and I personally thought I needed to have a high DAT to prove that my school is actually rigorous (and it is!). When it comes to admissions, I want to leave nothing to chance.

And about the whole "score" thing, I removed mine because people were rude about them. Just odd.

 

[Toofly01]

@Glimmer- That's so sad!!! You are awesome, forget those people.

and @aqz- Thanks for keeping the peace.

To the OP: I think your portfolio (as far as numbers are concerned) is pretty solid, great GPA and solid DAT (you don't have any 17's right? I'm assuming 19's min across the board...) I personally would focus on establishing strong EC's, LORs, and PS. Every d-school is different, you never know what they are looking for to fill their class with. Is it your wish to go ivy league? Then I would retake. Otherwise if your heart isn't set on ivy and you are just excited to become a dentist (and you're also in the current application cycle) then I wouldn't retake. Another thing to do would be to call schools of interest and give them your rundown (GPA, DAT, brief ECs), and ask whether your scores are competitive enough... you could also reference the ADEA guidebook which has the avgs of the most recent entering class.

Best of luck 🙂