Just took my DAT; where should I apply?

[goldcrown17]

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Hello everyone! I just took my DAT and now that I have my GPA and DAT, I was wondering where I should apply? I think I want to do general practice, but I want to keep the option of specializing open. I've shadowed at a pedo and OMFS office and I also have seen ortho in the general practice I shadow at. So far I like it all and I can see myself doing everything, so a good match rate is important...

DAT- Bio 22, GC 22, OC 23, PAT 25, RC 19, QR 22, TS 22, AA 22
GPA- 3.96 overall and 3.93 science
Extracurricular- Involved in a leadership program, continuous community service, and I work as a dental assistant during the summer. I will also be starting to volunteer in a research lab this coming school year.
Residency- Virginia

School I'm considering:
- Virginia
- Maryland
- Harvard
- Colombia
- UPenn
- Connecticut
- U of Pacific
- NOVA Southeastern
- UCSF (maybe?)

Can anyone give me advise on these schools? I don't think I'm reaching too high and I hope these are good schools for me to apply to. I apply next cycle, so I have plenty of time to make a solid list but was hoping to have a solid list of 7-10 schools.

 

[Blistex000]

Wow...I really wished I have stats as amazing as yours!
I don't know too much about individual schools, but with your stats, I think you can apply almost anywhere.

 

[BeaverLover]

Harvard has a small class size of around 35 or so and requires you to defend a research thesis at the end of your 4 years, but your stats fit right in

 

[Weakfart]

Wherever your heart desires.

 

[BrazilianRider]

Great stats. Well done! Your hard work will pay off soon enough 😉

I'm in the same camp as @Weakfart -- apply wherever you like! No guarantees you will be accepted but you have a damn good chance!

 

[midman19]

The only one that isn't necessarily worth your time unless it is a dream school is Harvard. They have so many people with 23 and 24 and 3.99 gpas applying and they can only take 35 people. I had almost your exact stats with second author on a publication and plenty of ec's and I didn't even get an interview.. But worst case scenario if you apply there you are only out $180 with secondary fee.. Good luck whatever you decide. The other schools are definitely worth applying to.

 

[super frank]

Impressive PAT.

 

[andreadds]

Hello everyone! I just took my DAT and now that I have my GPA and DAT, I was wondering where I should apply? I think I want to do general practice, but I want to keep the option of specializing open. I've shadowed at a pedo and OMFS office and I also have seen ortho in the general practice I shadow at. So far I like it all and I can see myself doing everything, so a good match rate is important...

DAT- Bio 22, GC 22, OC 23, PAT 25, RC 19, QR 22, TS 22, AA 22
GPA- 3.96 overall and 3.93 science
Extracurricular- Involved in a leadership program, continuous community service, and I work as a dental assistant during the summer. I will also be starting to volunteer in a research lab this coming school year.
Residency- Virginia

School I'm considering:
- Virginia
- Maryland
- Harvard
- Colombia
- UPenn
- Connecticut
- U of Pacific
- NOVA Southeastern
- UCSF (maybe?)

Can anyone give me advise on these schools? I don't think I'm reaching too high and I hope these are good schools for me to apply to. I apply next cycle, so I have plenty of time to make a solid list but was hoping to have a solid list of 7-10 schools.

With those scores dont apply to Nova. Apply to UCLA

 

[pleaseflossdaily]

The only one that isn't necessarily worth your time unless it is a dream school is Harvard. They have so many people with 23 and 24 and 3.99 gpas applying and they can only take 35 people. I had almost your exact stats with second author on a publication and plenty of ec's and I didn't even get an interview.. But worst case scenario if you apply there you are only out $180 with secondary fee.. Good luck whatever you decide. The other schools are definitely worth applying to.

I disagree. I think that Harvard doesn't just stick to looking at scores- in fact, average HSDS scores from last year aren't that far out of the ballpark. HSDM looks for well-rounded students who can contribute to the dental field in a way that HSDM sees fit, so if there's something about you that stands out, highlight that! I say apply if you are interested in going to a dental school that does focus a good amount of attention on the medical field and research 🙂

 

[midman19]

I disagree. I think that Harvard doesn't just stick to looking at scores- in fact, average HSDS scores from last year aren't that far out of the ballpark. HSDM looks for well-rounded students who can contribute to the dental field in a way that HSDM sees fit, so if there's something about you that stands out, highlight that! I say apply if you are interested in going to a dental school that does focus a good amount of attention on the medical field and research 🙂

Let me clarify, I do agree with you that they want well rounded people. However, I think that with 500 people applying with really good scores, they have to narrow those down somehow. A lot of those people are probably well rounded and it almost comes down to chance as to whether you make the interview cut of 60 or 70. I could be completely wrong but I know too many extremely smart, extremely well rounded people who have applied and didn't even hear back...