So Torn about DAT

[ItalianPrincess]

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So I am a junior planning on applying to dental school this summer. I took my DAT over the summer after my sophomore year and did reasonably well. I got a 20 AA, 18 PAT, 23 RC, 17 QR, 20 Bio, 20 chem, 20 organic and 20 TS. I am not really happy with my PAT score, and am not sure if I should retake the test this summer before I apply to try and get it up. HELP!

 

[iwannabadentist]

1. what is your GPA like
2. where ru planning on applying
3. unless ur TRULY good at reading, i doubt you will be able to make a 23 on RC again. many schools focus a lot on RC so if your GPA is pretty decent (3.5+) id say keep what you have just so you can keep ur RC score.

 

[doc toothache]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=657139
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=400209

 

[ItalianPrincess]

1) my GPA isnt too great that's why I'm freaking out. I have a 3.2 right now, but am pulling a 3.88 for this semester while taking 19 credits so that will bring it up alot and am planning on doing the same for next semester. I should have about a 3.5/3.6 when I apply unless something goes terribly wrong.
2) Buffalo is my first choice but I'm also applying to NYU, BU, Maryland, Penn, Detroit Mercy, and am thinking about Baylor and maybe some schools out west as well.
3) I am a decent reader but idk if I could match that 23 either, I doubt my QR will go up, kinda weak in math...that's why my GPA is so low right now


my advisor told me not to worry about it, that my scores would be ok with all my volunteering and my GPA but i'm still not convinced

 

[FutureDent020]

1) my GPA isnt too great that's why I'm freaking out. I have a 3.2 right now, but am pulling a 3.88 for this semester while taking 19 credits so that will bring it up alot and am planning on doing the same for next semester. I should have about a 3.5/3.6 when I apply unless something goes terribly wrong.
2) Buffalo is my first choice but I'm also applying to NYU, BU, Maryland, Penn, Detroit Mercy, and am thinking about Baylor and maybe some schools out west as well.
3) I am a decent reader but idk if I could match that 23 either, I doubt my QR will go up, kinda weak in math...that's why my GPA is so low right now


my advisor told me not to worry about it, that my scores would be ok with all my volunteering and my GPA but i'm still not convinced

You think you can get your GPA from a 3.2 to a 3.5/3.6 in 2 semesters and you're already in your junior year?? That's going to be extremely tough to do, even with good grades and a heavy course load. I had roughly a 3.2 after my sophomore year, made 3.7+ (including a 4.0 semester) my junior and senior semesters, and still only made it out with 3.50 oGPA. That's exactly the reason I waited a year to apply, so i could get my GPA up. But anyways, a 3.8+ both semesters your junior year will get you to hopefully a 3.4 which will be perfectly fine to apply with. Your DAT scores are also good so you look set. I'm not trying to bring you down, I am just not sure if your GPA prediction will play out. If it does, that's great and you must be taking 6 classes a semester.

 

[erk005]

I'm in a similar GPA/AA situation. I have a 3.3 and a 20 AA, and am pulling a 4.0 this semester. It seems like a 3.4-3.5 is the GPA to have, but plenty of schools are interviewing students with statistics around yours. I think you would be crazy to retake a 20/20/18 DAT, and should instead focus on getting a 4.0 during the next semester (unless you really want to go to a top 10 dental school). I think average accepted DAT for 2008 was 19.4AA and similar PAT (with about a 3.4GPA), so a 20/20/18 isn't what is going to keep you out of most schools. Luckily for you, the schools seem to care more about RC and most other sections more than PAT.

(I have not looked at the stats recently, but someone can correct them if needed)

 

[ItalianPrincess]

No offense taken all! that's definitely my best case scenario I was talking about and only because I am taking so many credits, it could go up alot. In case it doesn't work out for me tho, when you waited a year to apply did you do post bac or start a masters program? i dont even really know the difference

And I keep freaking out because alot of schools on predents will have average scores near mine but I only see students with 3.7+ getting interview!😱

 

[PaulieGualtieri]

Just as long as your PAT is 17+, I don't really think you should retake it. The rest of the scores are pretty good and you have the benefit of being Italian, which is awesome.