Need advice! Took dat today!

[Dentalgroupie06]

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So I've been on here for a while now and decided I'd share my scores. I'm freaking out and don't know if i should retake it or just apply with the scores I received today.

PAT: 17 👎mad:
QR: 19
RC: 18
BIO: 24
GC: 21
OC:21

TS:21
AA:21

I knew going into it that reading and pat were going to be my lowest! I'm a very hands on person, which is one of the main reasons why I want to go into dentistry, and not being able to underline or circle for the reading or like hold the objects in my hand for the pat really killed me.

I'm a biochem major and a psych minor. I have a 3.8 overall gpa and a 3.7 science gpa.
I am very involved and have held e-board positions in two clubs one of which is my schools PDSA. I also have been a teaching assistant for two semesters and work part time during school.

WHAT DO YOU THINK I SHOULD DO!?! Should I apply with my scores or do you think I should retake the exam. I already checked the schools I want to apply for and my 17 is a score they will accept. I just don't know if I should retake it or not and honestly if I did retake it I'm not sure my reading and PAT will improve that much because it all just depends on the material presented on the exam. PLEASE HELP!:cry:

 

[JRod17]

I would be extremely pleased if I received those scores, personally I would not retake... Everything is above a 17 and your GPA is fairly high. I don't see why you wouldn't get a couple of interviews.

 

[hypemachine]

Although I haven't been through the process yet, I don't think your scores are that bad at all. PAT may be low but your TS is solid and so are you GPAs. Retaking the test is a.) $400 more than you already want to be spending and b.) potential for getting lower scores in other sections.

If I were you I'd apply with that. Just my two cents.

 

[sakthivs]

your good. dont retake.

 

[Dentalgroupie06]

My advisor told me that I would need to get 21 in every subject if i even wanted a chance of getting in. How important is PAT? Like do dental schools rate it as high as the sciences?

 

[tamakisuououran]

My advisor told me that I would need to get 21 in every subject if i even wanted a chance of getting in. How important is PAT? Like do dental schools rate it as high as the sciences?

Im sorry but I dont think your advisor is advising you much, unless of course you trying to make it for an ivy league or something of a kind. its pretty much guaranteed you`re getting in unless something goes wrong with your application.
But as for DAT scores, you rocked, and should enjoy the rest of the summer you have.
IM taking my DAT this Friday and im freaking out!

 

[Dentalgroupie06]

yea i don't know what to do. I might talk to another prehealth advisor at my school and get a second opinion. If they tell me that i need to retake it then i honestly just think im going to save my money and not apply. I REFUSE TO TAKE THAT TEST AGAIN!

Seriously Good Luck! i really hope you do better than i did! Ill pray for you!

 

[sakthivs]

Dude I agree with Tamaki.....thats kind of absurd that your adviser said that you would need a 21 in all categories with a 3.8 GPA to even be considered a school....absolutely ridiculous. I would apply for sure and not delay your career in dentistry (assuming everything else in your application is fine).

 

[Dentalgroupie06]

Dude I agree with Tamaki.....thats kind of absurd that your adviser said that you would need a 21 in all categories with a 3.8 GPA to even be considered a school....absolutely ridiculous. I would apply for sure and not delay your career in dentistry (assuming everything else in your application is fine).

I almost started crying when he told me this. He has always given me honest, good, and helpful advice so I took his word when he told me this! But what do you mean "assuming everything else in your application is fine" like what are some things that I should pay extra attention too?

 

[sakthivs]

like what i mean is that you submit the application properly with no mistakes hahah nothing really specific. Honestly I think your scores are amazing and GPA is amazing as well, I would most definitely apply. Good luck buddy and I hope the best for you!

 

[Dentalgroupie06]

like what i mean is that you submit the application properly with no mistakes hahah nothing really specific. Honestly I think your scores are amazing and GPA is amazing as well, I would most definitely apply. Good luck buddy and I hope the best for you!

Thanks sakthivs oddly enough even though i have no idea who you are that means a lot!

 

[Glimmer1991]

WTH!? Your advisor doesn't know what is going on. Especially with a 3.8 in biochem, you are absolutely fine. I wouldn't apply to Harvard, maybe, but you have a great shot at many other schools. It looks like you have good ECs, too, which is just icing on the cake. A 21/21/17 is perfectly acceptable. The PAT doesn't even seem to be that important to most schools; I think you'd need to score 16 or below for some eyebrows to be raised. Don't sweat it! It's all good.

 

[Dentalgroupie06]

I'm from Michigan and really want to stay in state. My top two choices would be udm and u of m. I've searched online and 20 is like the average PAT score. But I've heard of people getting in with like an 18 AA. The thing that pisses me off about udm is that they have a 7-year program which promises students a seat and its absolutely ridiculous and makes it even harder to get in! I made an appointment with another advisor tomorrow hopefully he tells me the same stuff you guys are.