Is this a bad idea?

[water88]

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I took the DAT last summer and received 21 AA/22 TS/18 PAT. I will be applying this June for the first time and am thinking about retaking the DAT this summer to bring up my PAT. I am doing this because my science GPA will probably only be a shade over 3.4, and given how competitive its looking this year, I feel I need a higher DAT to compensate. Is this is a bad idea? I realize this is a generalization, but it appears that people are getting much higher scores this year compared to last haha.

 

[austinsanity]

I took the DAT last summer and received 21 AA/22 TS/18 PAT. I will be applying this June for the first time and am thinking about retaking the DAT this summer to bring up my PAT. I am doing this because my science GPA will probably only be a shade over 3.4, and given how competitive its looking this year, I feel I need a higher DAT to compensate. Is this is a bad idea? I realize this is a generalization, but it appears that people are getting much higher scores this year compared to last haha.

It depends on where you'd like to go if you had a choice. With a higher PAT, you'll probably have more options depending on the strength of your application. 21/22/20+ and a 3.4-3.5 science GPA combined with a solid application (ECs, dental experience, etc.) and interview skills would put you in a competitive position at a lot of schools.

 

[supraman]

Def depends on where you want to go, but you will get in with those scores

 

[water88]

My top choice is Tufts. I'm also applying to Michigan, Maryland, BU, USC, Penn, NYU, VCU, Pacific. I just wanna get in somewhere. I really don't wanna have to reapply or something.

 

[ddsbruin]

those are great scores! imo, high aa and ts are much harder to get than a high pat score. besides, an 18 isn't horrible. and after you score above say...22 in pat, i don't think it makes that much more of a difference. with your other scores, you should be fine. but i'd call to double check. im sure if schools knew your other scores, they'll definitely consider you competitive.

you should have a great chance at tufts and at the other schools! i know pacific wants high pat tho...

 

[ddsbruin]

btw, here's a link to the dat/gpa stats for 2008 thanks to doc toothache

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=602109

 

[water88]

those are great scores! imo, high aa and ts are much harder to get than a high pat score. besides, an 18 isn't horrible. and after you score above say...22 in pat, i don't think it makes that much more of a difference. with your other scores, you should be fine. but i'd call to double check. im sure if schools knew your other scores, they'll definitely consider you competitive.

you should have a great chance at tufts and at the other schools! i know pacific wants high pat tho...

Yeah, I heard that...I probably won't end up applying there. Cali is too far from home anyway haha.

 

[water88]

btw, here's a link to the dat/gpa stats for 2008 thanks to doc toothache

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=602109

Right, but what I'm worried about is that the DAT may, by some chance, be easier this year, since 2008 was a pretty hard year. Harvard's AA was like 24 in 2007 and it dropped to 20 in 2008!

 

[doc toothache]

I took the DAT last summer and received 21 AA/22 TS/18 PAT. I will be applying this June for the first time and am thinking about retaking the DAT this summer to bring up my PAT. I am doing this because my science GPA will probably only be a shade over 3.4, and given how competitive its looking this year, I feel I need a higher DAT to compensate. Is this is a bad idea? I realize this is a generalization, but it appears that people are getting much higher scores this year compared to last haha.

While, admittedly, there are are few schools where PA is king, it is hard to imagine any of them passing up a 21AA/22TS irrespective of the PA score.

 

[water88]

While, admittedly, there are are few schools where PA is king, it is hard to imagine any of them passing up a 21AA/22TS irrespective of the PA score.

Doc, resident DAT guru, what are the chances of DAT scores fluctuating by so much each year? I mean, how can Harvard post a 24 AA average one year and the next 20? Does the test really change that much?

 

[austinsanity]

My top choice is Tufts. I'm also applying to Michigan, Maryland, BU, USC, Penn, NYU, VCU, Pacific. I just wanna get in somewhere. I really don't wanna have to reapply or something.

Those scores will get you in at Tufts, providing the rest of your app is in order. I'd say forget about taking the exam again and just concentrate on finishing out your undergraduate program.

The only thing you might want to consider is the fact that Tufts will give you a sizable grant (4-6K per year, I believe) if you have a 20+ DAT and 3.5 GPA. If you don't think you've got a shot at the 3.5, don't worry about it.

 

[Waitlisted2009]

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[water88]

Why Tufts?? Those others listed seem so much better than Tufts. Those are great scores.

I visited Tufts a while back and liked it a lot. I also like Boston a lot. I would be ecstatic if I got in.

 

[himnaejah]

I would not retake if i were you. Your stats are good! Just keep the scrores but make sure to apply early!

 

[Stephie3]

My top choice is Tufts.

I got an interview invitation at tufts and maryland with a 20/21/17. i wouldn't retake it if i were you, your DAT score is great!!! save the money. go to the cheapest school.

 

[Chesnok]

no retake, you're good to go, just apply early.

 

[klutzy1987]

Definitely do not retake. Most schools disregard PAT and QR as long as they arent below 16. Your other scores are very good and you would be crazy to retake.