low gpa but high DAT question

[iamsolo24]

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My GPA is fairly low, around 3.2, but I was wondering if slightly above average scores on the DAT will help me out?

FYI - I have not taken the DAT as of yet.

Please advice.

 

[Munchy]

unless you have crazy extracurricular activities and/or stellar PS, i don't think 'slightly above average' dat will help much...

Why not aim higher than slightly above average? If you are planning to go to DS, you must be a bright student : )

 

[aelian]

My GPA is fairly low, around 3.2, but I was wondering if slightly above average scores on the DAT will help me out?

FYI - I have not taken the DAT as of yet.

Please advice.

Hey there, partner. As someone with similar circumstances (3.23 and 23/23/19), I feel I can sorta, kinda answer your question. Yes, your DAT can get you attention and it will definitely help you out. I did get an interview with those academic stats. But there are other things that I did to help my chances beside just getting a high DAT. High shadowing/volunteering/involvement/leadership being one being one. Also, a strong finish in your upperclassmen years, at least to me and others that I have spoken with, will help you as well. If you had a rough start, that will be very good. But yes, a high DAT (98 percentile or higher) to make up for shortcomings. Being slightly above average will not help you at all because there are already others with high GPA's getting beastly DAT's.

 

[shiftypoptart]

Yeah same here I'm in your shoes as well. Just do the best you can on the DAT. Best word of advice, don't let other peoples scores get ya down. The people getting beastly DAT scores are only a very small percentage of the people that get in. The rest of the seat have people with average to slightly higher than average stats. So do the best you can to get an interview, then that's where its time to shine.

 

[thewobblytooth]

While your scores are a big factor, there are other things they consider when dealing with applicants. If you can do well on the DAT, then you'll be more competitive. GPA 3.2 isn't that bad, as long as you have some good extracurricular activities and strong letters of rec, at least shoot for AA19+. 19ish is the average DAT score of accepted applicants

 

[iamsolo24]

While your scores are a big factor, there are other things they consider when dealing with applicants. If you can do well on the DAT, then you'll be more competitive. GPA 3.2 isn't that bad, as long as you have some good extracurricular activities and strong letters of rec, at least shoot for AA19+. 19ish is the average DAT score of accepted applicants

I do have about an years worth of experience as a dental assistant so hopefully that helps. But thanks for your response though.

 

[iamsolo24]

Thanks for the responses everybody.