Should I retake my DAT? 21 TS 21 AA

[youraverageasia]

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So it doesn't seem like I'm getting in anywhere this cycle. Had 3 interviews (UW, UCSF, TUFTS). Rejected from UW and UCSF, didn't go to tufts. My lowest scores are 19 QR and 19 PAT. One thing I noticed that might have rejected me is my lack of volunteer hours (200+ hrs from being involved in a school club). Do you guys think it's worth it to retake, or should I just focus on increasing my volunteer and shadowing hours?

 

[tyjacobs]

What's your GPAs?

Why didn't you attend the tufts interview?

 

[youraverageasia]

What's your GPAs?

Why didn't you attend the tufts interview?

So my undergrad GPA is low (3.2) which is why I did a 1 year masters in biomedical science (3.94). I couldn't go to tufts because a personal matter came up.

 

[Hysteria95]

Hey youraverageasia,
The route I believe you should take is by calling UW and UCSF both, or any other schools you had high on your list that denied you, and ask them specifically what portions of your app were weak for you to be denied there. Especially UCSF and UW. Maybe it was your interview? Theres only one way to find out for sure, so I would do that.

 

[helpmepleasedentists]

So it doesn't seem like I'm getting in anywhere this cycle. Had 3 interviews (UW, UCSF, TUFTS). Rejected from UW and UCSF, didn't go to tufts. My lowest scores are 19 QR and 19 PAT. One thing I noticed that might have rejected me is my lack of volunteer hours (200+ hrs from being involved in a school club). Do you guys think it's worth it to retake, or should I just focus on increasing my volunteer and shadowing hours?

that is very unfortunate, no I do not suggest retaking your DAT a 21 AA and 21 TS is perfect. Your GPA is low but your masters should have made up for it, the fact you got interviews at multiple
schools shows that your extracurriculars and academic stats are fine. I believe what went wrong was either your interview performance or the number of schools you applied to.

Even with a masters and 21 DAT you still have an undergraduate GPA of 3.2, because of this I suggest applying to 20 schools (out of state friendly)
Do this and I think you will have success next cycle.

 

[PreDent2015]

So it doesn't seem like I'm getting in anywhere this cycle. Had 3 interviews (UW, UCSF, TUFTS). Rejected from UW and UCSF, didn't go to tufts. My lowest scores are 19 QR and 19 PAT. One thing I noticed that might have rejected me is my lack of volunteer hours (200+ hrs from being involved in a school club). Do you guys think it's worth it to retake, or should I just focus on increasing my volunteer and shadowing hours?

Where did you attend undergrad?

 

[MahiMahi]

I don't think DAT was the weak point - you still got interviews. Perhaps your interview was weak?

Ditto calling schools and finding out what they thought was weak.

 

[JLT223]

There's obviously something else seriously wrong with your application.

 

[DAT Destroyer]

So it doesn't seem like I'm getting in anywhere this cycle. Had 3 interviews (UW, UCSF, TUFTS). Rejected from UW and UCSF, didn't go to tufts. My lowest scores are 19 QR and 19 PAT. One thing I noticed that might have rejected me is my lack of volunteer hours (200+ hrs from being involved in a school club). Do you guys think it's worth it to retake, or should I just focus on increasing my volunteer and shadowing hours?

What school do you attend? Did you take any of your classes at a community college, if so what subjects?What is your undergrad science GPA and could you please give us your total score breakdown for each subject. How was your interview experience with UW and UCSF.

Take care..Nancy

 

[customx]

So it doesn't seem like I'm getting in anywhere this cycle. Had 3 interviews (UW, UCSF, TUFTS). Rejected from UW and UCSF, didn't go to tufts. My lowest scores are 19 QR and 19 PAT. One thing I noticed that might have rejected me is my lack of volunteer hours (200+ hrs from being involved in a school club). Do you guys think it's worth it to retake, or should I just focus on increasing my volunteer and shadowing hours?

I would call UW and ask for advice on how to improve our app. They should be able to pull your file and will hopefully read some of the comments about your app and why you were rejected. I know that UW has a grading scale for 4 or 5 different categories, including GPA, Volunteer experience, interview score, research and another one I can't remember. Since your GPA is on the lower end, you should do everything possible to bump up your volunteer, interview and research scores. You can't do much to boost your GPA at this point, so improve your app in other ways and blow them away during the interview. UW loves reapplicants. See if you can get some dental experience by assisting. In the state of WA, and possibly others, you can get your assisting license by taking a quick online course. This would be an excellent talking point during your interview.

 

[SDDDAT]

I would call UW and ask for advice on how to improve our app. They should be able to pull your file and will hopefully read some of the comments about your app and why you were rejected. I know that UW has a grading scale for 4 or 5 different categories, including GPA, Volunteer experience, interview score, research and another one I can't remember. Since your GPA is on the lower end, you should do everything possible to bump up your volunteer, interview and research scores. You can't do much to boost your GPA at this point, so improve your app in other ways and blow them away during the interview. UW loves reapplicants. See if you can get some dental experience by assisting. In the state of WA, and possibly others, you can get your assisting license by taking a quick online course. This would be an excellent talking point during your interview.

Where did you hear about the grading scale for UW? Just curious because I'm also trying to apply to UW.

With stats like these, can't believe UW didn't accept you O_O (unless you're OOS)

 

[ncide]

Where did you hear about the grading scale for UW? Just curious because I'm also trying to apply to UW.

With stats like these, can't believe UW didn't accept you O_O (unless you're OOS)

I had similar stats (DAT) and was rejected. It's a competitive school since it has lots of very well qualified applicants and only 65 seats. I met some amazing people during my interview and can't imagine how difficult it must be for the committee to choose only a few of those interviewed.

One of my patients has been in contact with a member of admissions since she is actively preparing for her future application to the UW School of Dentistry. She mentioned that they like to see at least 400 hours of community service and 400 hours of shadowing. I find it a bit high.. so take it with a grain of salt. What I do know is that they highly value community commitment and dedication to the field of dentistry.

 

[SDDDAT]

I had similar stats (DAT) and was rejected. It's a competitive school since it has lots of very well qualified applicants and only 65 seats. I met some amazing people during my interview and can't imagine how difficult it must be for the committee to choose only a few of those interviewed.

One of my patients has been in contact with a member of admissions since she is actively preparing for her future application to the UW School of Dentistry. She mentioned that they like to see at least 400 hours of community service and 400 hours of shadowing. I find it a bit high.. so take it with a grain of salt. What I do know is that they highly value community commitment and dedication to the field of dentistry.

Wow... I doubt the majority of the applicants have anything close to 400 shadowing and volunteering hours.

 

[customx]

Wow... I doubt the majority of the applicants have anything close to 400 shadowing and volunteering hours.

You would be surprised.

It is true that they like to see a ton of shadowing and volunteer hours.

My information comes from a dentist I shadowed for a few hundred hours that is on the admissions committee. In addition to the different categories that they rank applicants on, there are different levels/tiers within those categories. Someone who has 500+ hours of volunteer experience may get a 5 while someone who has 100 may get a 1 or 2. The goal should be to max out your score in each category obviously. If your GPA is a little low, then boost your shadowing, volunteering, research experience or DAT scores.

While it's not required, I know that UW loves to see applicants with research experience and those with hands on experience such as assisting.

 

[JLT223]

400 volunteer hours, over the course of 4 years at an undergraduate institution, is NOT hard to achieve by any means. Hell, one organization I was in volunteered at soup kitchens every week and that was an easy 5 hours/week for a single organization.