poor DAT

[nampa1]

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Just finished all my applications and they're on review. My last thing was the dat. This is what I got. What are my chances? I applied to about 17 schools. Don't have a state school.

PA 18
QR 15
RC 21
BIO 20
GC 15
OC 17
TS 17
AA 18

 

[will9631]

Just finished all my applications and they're on review. My last thing was the dat. This is what I got. What are my chances? I applied to about 17 schools. Don't have a state school.

PA 18
QR 15
RC 21
BIO 20
GC 15
OC 17
TS 17
AA 18

nice job on reading and bio, and your AA isn't bad. I'd just worry about math and general chemistry. I've heard some people say that in interviews this year they were told by their schools that the QR minimums are being lowered due to generally low scores, but that GC score of 15 would still be a problem for some schools. Also, if you just finished the DAT then your application is kind of late, so you're sort of at a disadvantage for the start.

that being said its probably a good thing that you're casting such a wide net, some of those schools won't worry so much about two low scores. As far as your chances go though it will depend on the strength of the rest of your application, since these scores probably won't be enough by themselves. If you have plenty of dental experience, community service and a strong GPA you might be ok. I applied last year around this time with slightly higher (by only one point or so) scores and got two interviews and no acceptance letters (I was also applying to half as many schools), so try not to get too upset if you don't get in this time around. I ended up doing much much better on the DAT the second time around by taking a kaplan course with tutoring, so I'm confident I'll get in somewhere this year (it also helps that I have a state school).

Also, are you sure you don't have a state school? Sometimes when there's no public school in a particular state, a neighboring state allows students from there to apply as in-state, in return to getting some tax revenue from their state's legislature. Be sure you ask your school's pre-professional advisor if there's any such arrangement with a neighboring state's state school, as it could save you a lot of heartache (and money).


good luck!
~Will

 

[nampa1]

thanks for the heads up. I'm sure youll get in this year. My gpa is 3.51, sci: 3.53, non-sci: 3.46. I have 70 hrs. of shadowing. Ok sci recommendations and a good dental one. I have a good extra curricular and essay. I'm an untraditional student, so my sci letters are from professors I had years ago, that's why there about average.

 

[will9631]

thanks for the heads up. I'm sure youll get in this year. My gpa is 3.51, sci: 3.53, non-sci: 3.46. I have 70 hrs. of shadowing. Ok sci recommendations and a good dental one. I have a good extra curricular and essay. I'm an untraditional student, so my sci letters are from professors I had years ago, that's why there about average.

those gpa's are quite competitive at most schools, especially the 3.53 science. Based on that I certainly think you have a shot at some places that can overlook the weaker DAT sections, as long as the late application doesn't hold you back.