Just took the DAT... advice?

[windtossed]

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Just took the DAT, and I'm aware that I need to retake it, considering that my cumulative GPA is 3.17, science GPA is 2.93, no post-bacc work or anything like that, though I'm retaking a couple of courses this summer, and I still have another year in undergrad, so my GPA could go up. Scores from today are below. My question is this: when I applied to take the DAT, I filled in the 5 schools which the minimum fee covers, because I hadn't decided what other schools I was applying to. Now that I've taken the DAT and decided on 7 other schools in addition to the 5, should I pay the 175 dollars to send my recent scores, or should I just wait until I can retake the DAT in October, and send those scores? Will this adversely affect me in terms of schools looking at my application?

In short, do I want schools to look at my application and scores now, even though they're not great, or should I wait on some of the schools until October, during which time, they presumably won't be looking too hard or at all at my application?

Also, I'm aware that my PAT (15) is what I need to be improving most. But what scores should I be aiming for with the AA and TS, which I also want to improve, considering my GPA?

Any input would be appreciated!

I'm applying to the following schools:
Columbia
Pittsburgh
UNC
Maryland
Ohio State
University of Illinois at Chicago
VCU
Michigan
NYU
Boston University
Tufts
UT: San Antonio

AA: 19
TS: 19
PAT: 15 (my biggest problem)
Bio: 20
Chem: 19
Org: 17
Reading: 24
QR: 14

 

[liriano]

These scores, which I think you know, will probably not be good enough to get any interviews. Spectacular RC, but a 15 PAT is too low to be considered. The threads on the website are great for resources in which to prepare adequately. I would not send these scores at all - you don't want to be written off. I would send your app and state you are taking the test again later and DESTROY it. Once they see the jump, you should get interviews. Just remember - the later you take the test, the harder it is to get any interviews. Good luck!

 

[4thMolar]

Also, what is your state school. If you are out of state for San Antonio, UIC, or UNC, I wouldn't bother applying to those, because they take very few out of state students, and with your GPA right now, it will be a lot harder for you to get interviews there. And as the above poster mentioned, indicate on your app that you will be re-taking the DAT in October.

 

[NyCzPeter]

Are you a minority? If not, you're most likely screwed. Take columbia off the list too since they accept very few below a 20 and esp not those with such a low gpa.

 

[windtossed]

My state school is VCU. I'm currently an undergrad at UVA. And I'm a minority, but I'm Asian, so I'm not sure that's helpful in any way.

 

[lphiewok]

My state school is VCU. I'm currently an undergrad at UVA. And I'm a minority, but I'm Asian, so I'm not sure that's helpful in any way.

being asian (myself included) is not going to help at all, in fact, asians have the lowest rate of getting in relative to the numbers of applicants / numbers of accepted (too many asians applying and schools have only so many seats for us).

your scores are too low and it looks like you need to do more research on finding schools. how did you choose those schools? UT San Antonio accepted 1 out-of-state student last year and their avg. GPA is 3.78. also many other state schools you listed are also not very open to out-of-state students.

you went to UVA, which will hopefully give some help on your GPA, but you need to bring your GPA at least upto 3.2ish in order to not just be simply rejected from not meeting minimum GPA and also need AA of 22+ to have good chance with good scores in each sections.

I would suggest you to take lot more time to study for DAT and research schools and etc.

 

[MowgliR]

Being a pacific islander, what does that count for?

 

[pinetar321]

hey windtossed, i feel your pain. We really have to make up for the beating guys like Cronmiller and Hunt gave us. Anyway, I really think you should retake. The science scores are alright, but the QR and PAT reaaaaaally need some work. Retake in October if you really feel you can crush it, get interviews and deal with classes this fall.