My (terrible) DAT esperience...

[mlsripathy]

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Hello everyone!
I took the DAT this morning, and am really disappointed with my scores. I just cannot believe I got these awful scores after working so hard for 2 months...
Please let me know if you think I still have a chance. I feel completely lost, and really need help.
Here are my scores:
ACADEMIC AVERAGE 19
PAT 16🙁
QUANTITATIVE REASONING 17🙁
READING COMP 20
BIOLOGY 20
GEN CHEMISTRY 20
ORGO 19
TOTAL SCIENCE 20

I am Brazilian, and actually studied 3 years of dentistry in Brazil. I came here 5 years ago, and got a BS in Biology (NCSU).
My GPA: 4.0
I took the Kaplan course and studied very hard for the DAT. I really thought I would score higher because I was getting MUCH better scores on Kaplan exams, and also Topscore. I am 26 and was hoping to start dental school next year.
I cannot explain what happened this morning. I thought the Biology test was MUCH harder than what I had predicted. The questions were basically about details, classification, and there were scientific terms that I had not previously encountered.
The chemistry tests were okay, but did not cover many of the topics that I emphasized during my review - such as SN1/SN2 (there was only 1 question), quantum numbers, and solubility. The test covered many reactions (Diels Alder, ozonolysis, free radicals...). There were NO questions about enthalpy, Gibbs free energy, and other important topics that were the focus of my Kaplan course.
As for the PAT, I do not know what happened. The key holes and top/front/end questions did not seem that hard, but the angle ranking was awful. The angles looked exactly alike, except for a few questions in which you could easily identify at least the largest angle. My big surprise was paper folding. I used to get very high scores on this section (usually did not miss a single question), but the foldings on the real DAT were MUCH more confusing than the ones from Kaplan/Topscore. The cube counting section was not bad at all, but the Pattern foldings were VERY small and I could barely detect the differences among 2 out of each 4 answer choices. The time was definetely a problem, and I really think my grade could have improved if I had spent more time on the sections that I was more comfortable with. I am very worried about taking this test again and getting a low grade. Please let me know if you have suggestions on how to improve my PAT scores...🙁
The reading comprehension test was not bad. The topics were very different, but nothing especially hard. Most of the questions were factual, except a few that asked me to conclude the passage/ analyze the author's tone.
The quantitative reasoning was NOT hard, but I think I got completely lost trying to select which questions to answer in so little time. I ran out of paper and raised my hand so the proctor could give me more, but it took her a while to see me. I wasted 2-3 minutes waiting for paper. There were NO questions that I believe one could not answer if given a reasonable amount of time. Most of the questions were on percentages/averages/triangles/algebra. There were 2 simple probablilty questions. I feel terrible because I could not even attempt to answer many of the questions, especially word problems...
Please give me your sincere opinion. If anybody needs some advice about the test, feel free to PM me.
I have already applied to the following schools:
UNC
UConn
University of Maryland
University of Tennessee
UF
Harvard
VCU

By the way, do you know if it is possible to add more schools to my application after it has been processed by AADSAS?
Thanks!!!
Maria🙂

 

[PERFECT3434]

man,

i know you were kidding when you said you got terrible scores.
seriously, i think your scores are very good. they only things you didn't do well on is PAT and just a little below the national avg.
i think that with your experience and GPA you should be fine.

where have you applied to?

 

[PERFECT3434]

sorry,
i just read your list of schools.

ok i think you'll definately get an interview from UConn, and possibly from VCU and UNC.

i hope i am wrong, but you can forget about Harvard and Maryland.

yes you can add more schools to your AADSAS app and you probably should.

good luck!

 

[NewNameForGoogleBot]

UNC is much less friendly to out-of-staters than Maryland. I would apply to a few more carefully selected (private) schools. Your GPA is great, but that PAT might hurt you a little bit. Your AA is fine.

 

[mlsripathy]

I just would like to thank you for your support. I am really upset about my scores, and will certainly try to add more schools to my application or repeat the DAT.
Please let me know if you have any advice.
Sincerely,
Maria🙂

 

[PERFECT3434]

i think your 1st option right now is to (as jaap said) add some more private schools to your list.
you can always take the DAT again (in 3 months). so, for right now, add some more schools and see what happens.
if not, then you can think about the DAT later.

good luck.

 

[Bickle]

i dont think your scores are all that bad. A 16 on the pat is a little low, but the rest of your dat is solid and your gpa is something that many people only dream of!

You have a really good chance!

 

[DrRob]

Don't waste your money on the DAT again. If you have to spend the cash add a couple private schools to your application - like marquette - I got in 5 years ago with a 16 PAT and 19 AA.

 

[mlsripathy]

It's been really nice to get some advice from you all. I am seriously thinking about adding 2 private schools to my application. Before taking the DAT, I really dreamt about going to UNC so I could pay in-state tuition. I also love living here in NC...
Right now I do not know whether it's going to be a positive thing to take the DAT again. I am scared of failing it once more🙁
Thank you for the help and please let me know what you think.
Cheers,
Maria🙂

 

[rsweeney]

It will be OK Maria---just keep your head up🙂 If you really desire to attend UNC, be proactive and let them get to know you ahead of time. Call them, e-mail them, and do whatever you have to do. Best of luck to you!

 

[Comet208]

Maria,

you have good shots at UNC, VCU, and Uconn.

UF only takes 1-2 out of staters per year, so your chances there are as slim as at UMD and Harvard. i suggest you apply to more private schools...such as NYU, BU, Tufts, Upitt, temple, etc... you have good shots at any of these... plus, you are applying as an ADVANCED STANDING stduent.. and i hope that the competition for you guys isnt as bad as ours.

good luck to you.

Comet!