the effect my PAT score will have...

[refriedtofu]

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I currently have a 3.9 science gpa and overall gpa and my Academic Average on the DAT was a 21. I was extremely happy with all of my scores except for the PAT, which I got a 16 on. I didn't want to retake the DAT just because of my bad PAT score...do you guys think schools will reject me based on this one score? Or will my high gpa and DAt score be enough to save me?

 

[pumpUup]

ur GPA and DAT AA is very solid or should I say way above average.
However, I think PAT is pretty low.
Dental schools really care about manual dexterity and how you can shape 3D image in ur head and I think PAT is their way of judging predental students.

Have you used crack DAT PAT? it really helped me to get 23 on PAT. If you haven't tried it, I think it's good to practice using it and retake DAT. If you think there is no way that you can increase ur PAT score, and because I think it's hard to break that DAT 21 when you retake it, it's up to you whether you think you can do better or not.

 

[DQLEUCD]

I currently have a 3.9 science gpa and overall gpa and my Academic Average on the DAT was a 21. I was extremely happy with all of my scores except for the PAT, which I got a 16 on. I didn't want to retake the DAT just because of my bad PAT score...do you guys think schools will reject me based on this one score? Or will my high gpa and DAt score be enough to save me?

It depends on some school, Some, regardless of your scores, if you have a 16 or below, you will have to retake it, like UOP for example. Others do not care. If it was QR or RC, it might be ok, but the PAT is weighted pretty heavily.

 

[khangreen]

It does depend a lot on the school, but most schools use PAT heavily to judge applicants. After all, it's the only thing they have to gauge your ability to handle the observational skills (and to a much lesser extent, the dexterity tied to them) required of a dentist.

 

[ZzZzSleepyhead]

I currently have a 3.9 science gpa and overall gpa and my Academic Average on the DAT was a 21. I was extremely happy with all of my scores except for the PAT, which I got a 16 on. I didn't want to retake the DAT just because of my bad PAT score...do you guys think schools will reject me based on this one score? Or will my high gpa and DAt score be enough to save me?

What you should do is call the schools you applied to/intend to apply to and ask them about your situation. I have to agree with the general idea that Dschools weigh PAT pretty heavily. Hopefully everything works out ok!

 

[Predoctalk]

It depends on some school, Some, regardless of your scores, if you have a 16 or below, you will have to retake it, like UOP for example. Others do not care. If it was QR or RC, it might be ok, but the PAT is weighted pretty heavily.

RC is far more important than PAT! QR is obviously least imporant while PAT is the second least important. I got a 17 PAT and no one ever mentioned it. I even brought it up a few times in my interviews and was basically told that no stock is put into it. These ppl know the comps are old and it is difficult to see the difference in angle ranking and stuff. In addition, the avg for most schools on pat is an 18. So, admitting a student with otherwise great stats is not going to mess up the avg. If you had a 16 RC that would be cause to worry... You may not get into schools with absolut cutoffs, but I would say you have a very good shot at other schools. It's all going to depend on the well roundedness of the rest of your application. Good luck

 

[sfoksn]

I suggest you retake it, because 21 AA isn't too much to let go of. Of course, this is only if you are aiming for high tier schools, which it seems like you are due to great GPA.

No need to retake if your goal is to get into any dental school.

It would be a shame to be dragged down by the 16 PAT which will probably get you weeded out electronically before admission officers even get to read your application.

Good luck.

 

[AmpedUp]

There are a few schools that specifically look close at the PAT. I can't name them off the top of my head. Grab an ADEA guide from online to check or research each school online for the cut-offs or just call up schools (doesn't hurt to try). I say you're in great shape though, assuming you have some good EC's on your record. Honestly, I wouldn't plan a retake unless you know for sure you can do better (it's exhausting to prepare as is - especially if you just took it and can't take it until 3 months). You'll get some bites somewhere and that's for sure. Good luck!

 

[dentdin]

i was in the same exact situation. Same GPA, same AA, and same PAT. However I took my DAT on August 31 and didnt even turn in secondaries until September. I still got 4 interviews (three pre-dec), but I only ended up attending one. The one interview I attended was the school I got accepted at. I really think your GPA can help. I wasn't even weeded out by schools that had cutoffs of 17.

 

[PaulieGualtieri]

After spending a while on this forum, I believe that the cutoff is 17 for PAT. 🙁 Anyone else hear the same thing?

 

[yappy]

The PAT section is funny to me. It is my understanding they're testing our ability to see-in-3d, yet there is alot of people who practice this section heavily prior to taking the DAT and as a result - improve their score. In fact I've heard this section is the easiest to improve on. Therefore, it seems it's skill almost anyone can aquired after gaining admission to DS school. I think it would hold more weight if they presented it in a way that is impossible to study for.

Its like an IQ test you can study for to improve your score...

 

[sfrice80]

Some schools may reject you for that reason alone. I will say its definitely pretty low for that section. If I were you, I would contact a few schools and ask them their opinion. It's easy for us to just say, "retake" but that requires A LOT of time and energy. I would gauge your decisions based off of what some schools say and not this forum. Personally, I could see it going either direction for you.

 

[refriedtofu]

thanks a lot for the help guys, I really appreciate it. I'll call the schools and hope everything works out!

 

[doc toothache]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=657139
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=650441

 

[FreeFallin]

I currently have a 3.9 science gpa and overall gpa and my Academic Average on the DAT was a 21. I was extremely happy with all of my scores except for the PAT, which I got a 16 on. I didn't want to retake the DAT just because of my bad PAT score...do you guys think schools will reject me based on this one score? Or will my high gpa and DAt score be enough to save me?

Did you call schools yet? What did they say?

 

[peerless218]

I say this person is STILL gonna get in somehwere, just not the school of his choice.

 

[refriedtofu]

Did you call schools yet? What did they say?

Basically, the schools that I want to apply to (NYU, Temple, LSU, UT-Houston, UT-SA, and Baylor) said that there is no "cutoff" score for PAT and they just told me what score I would need to be competitive. NYU actually said that AA was much more important so I shouldn't worry about PAT.

I also called Tufts but they didn't pick up

 

[PaulieGualtieri]

Basically, the schools that I want to apply to (NYU, Temple, LSU, UT-Houston, UT-SA, and Baylor) said that there is no "cutoff" score for PAT and they just told me what score I would need to be competitive. NYU actually said that AA was much more important so I shouldn't worry about PAT.

I also called Tufts but they didn't pick up

I hope you interview at NYU. Ridiculous facilities 👍👍

 

[molarbear]

I suggest you retake it, because 21 AA isn't too much to let go of. Of course, this is only if you are aiming for high tier schools, which it seems like you are due to great GPA.

No need to retake if your goal is to get into any dental school.

It would be a shame to be dragged down by the 16 PAT which will probably get you weeded out electronically before admission officers even get to read your application.

Good luck.

LOL. I love this. Not everyone gets a 27 AA on the DAT. A 21 is still very good. However, I do applaud you for earning a 27 on the DAT that is amazing!

I also agree with yappy, PAT is a section that is the easiest to improve. With that being said, the OP can learn perceptibility in dental school. I think the OP will definitely get in somewhere.

 

[dentalgirl2010]

I was in the same situation as you last. I had the same GPA and AA, but my PAT and RC were 17. I got 4 pre-Dec interviews and 2 post-Dec interviews. I got into all four of schools I interviewed at on Dec. 1, so I didn't go to my post-Dec interviews. At my interviews only one of the schools even mentioned something about my DAT...saying that my RC was a little low but they don't really care since everything else is so high. You should apply early so you give yourself the best chance of getting in. Schools aren't looking for perfect scores; they are looking for people who will make great dentists!

P.S. I got into two of the schools you wanted to go to as well as an IVY league school with a scholarship. So don't let this forum discourage you since it's the first time half of these people are applying. If you are a strong applicant and you have a number that is below what they deem is the "cut off," you really think a school is going to tell you no and admit someone who is less qualified but makes the cut-off?

 

[refriedtofu]

I turned in my application about the first week of July, so hopefully that was early enough. Thanks dentalgirl!

 

[allover]

yet there is alot of people who practice this section heavily prior to taking the DAT and as a result - improve their score.

maybe thats the point. many do not and their scores show. maybe its a test of how willing you are to get better?

 

[321931]

It all depends. I had a friend who had good scores (23 AA) but a low PAT score (18 or so I believe?)

Some of her top choices outright rejected her because of the PAT score (She called them to inquire why she didn't get an interview). Therefore, she called other schools and some said it mattered/some said they didn't really weigh it intensively.

Long story made short, she retook her DAT (October/September) and got the same score with a slightly higher PAT score but at that point, she couldn't get into her top schools. She did get into 4 schools overall though.

Just call up the schools to see whether your pat score will make or break you.

 

[DSkoolDropout]

I currently have a 3.9 science gpa and overall gpa and my Academic Average on the DAT was a 21. I was extremely happy with all of my scores except for the PAT, which I got a 16 on. I didn't want to retake the DAT just because of my bad PAT score...do you guys think schools will reject me based on this one score? Or will my high gpa and DAt score be enough to save me?

hey buddy, just wanted to chime in here. last time i applied i was accepted to 7 schools, only had a 3.75, and 21 AA, 16 PAT, and i was interviewed at Harvard

chin up---you'll be fine