Took my DAT today....AA18 TS18

[STRESSD]

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So I just took my DAT today and I am so relieved, but not sure how I feel about my scores.

PAT - 19
QR - 17
RC - 19
BIO - 17
GC - 16
OC - 21
TS - 18
AA - 18

I am a senior biology major with a 3.89 GPA. I have 100+ shadowing hours in which I was taught to assist, so I got to volunteer as well. I have amazing volunteer experience as well as leadership roles (vice president, head of public relations, etc..) in a few clubs/organizations I was involved in. I just started doing research at a dental school that is dental/molecular biology related. I have been working as a cell phone repair technician for about 1.5 years so I have pretty good manual hand dexterity. Also have good LOR's and a good personal statement written. I could keep going, but I know the DAT is a HUGE factor. I was honestly happy with my score, but the gen chem and bio scores are killing me!! It's not an AMAZING score but its also not the worst. Will schools even consider these scores? I appreciate any advice!

 

[qnzbabi91]

Make sure you apply to alot of schools. Your scores are average but your GPA is redeeming. My lab TA had the same scores as you (with a 3.9 GPA) and with alot of research/shadowing. She only applied to 4 schools three years ago. Hence, she didn't get in to any even after 2 interviews.Just apply to alot of schools, and you still have a shot. Your GC might be under the cutoff at alot of schools though so look into that. Best of luck with your application. 🙂

 

[awaitsimpatient]

If i was you, i would retake, well, you only have one low score, the time i retook all of my scores were low, low and now I can't retake anymore!! I think all the sciences are very important sections and you should do at least 17! I learned this the hard way
Well, i wish i had AA of 18 and congrats, very decent scores

 

[whodat4life]

You should retake the DAT as soon as possible. Even with that GPA it will be very difficult to get an admissions offer. The DAT is the "equalizer" and it's a way they evaluate all pre-dents on the same level. The DAT is starting to be looked at more than GPA, because a lot of people (not saying you, but in general) have very inflated GPAs. I will tell you this though, hopefully it makes you feel better about your GC score. When I took the DAT (I had to take it twice), the first time I got the same score as you in GC. My scores were actually worse than your scores are. I got "piano'd" (not sure if they do that anymore), so my RC score was pathetic (17). I had already interviewed at LLUSD, and the interviewer told me there was no way to get in with my DAT scores (granted my GPA was slightly lower than your GPA). So, I decided to retake ASAP and to make my app better. As soon as I retook the DAT, I made a 24 in RC and a 19 on RC. I called the admissions guy I interviewed with, he said congrats. One week later I was accepted (third day of the acceptance cycle). I say all of this to tell you that on my first GC, I didn't even understand half of the questions, much less how to answer them. I didn't even study much more, and got a 24. It's all random (which sort of contradicts my "equalizer" arguement, but that's hearsay from the adcom at my school). It's all about getting questions that YOU know how to answer. Don't give up, you will run across a version you can do well on, just put in a little more effort, regroup, and smash it next time. Good luck to you.

 

[hellobruin]

Haven't taken my DAT yet, but do you mind breaking down what materials you used to study? It could give all of us a clearer picture of why you obtained such scores.

 

[awaitsimpatient]

You should retake the DAT as soon as possible. Even with that GPA it will be very difficult to get an admissions offer. The DAT is the "equalizer" and it's a way they evaluate all pre-dents on the same level. The DAT is starting to be looked at more than GPA, because a lot of people (not saying you, but in general) have very inflated GPAs. I will tell you this though, hopefully it makes you feel better about your GC score. When I took the DAT (I had to take it twice), the first time I got the same score as you in GC. My scores were actually worse than your scores are. I got "piano'd" (not sure if they do that anymore), so my RC score was pathetic (17). I had already interviewed at LLUSD, and the interviewer told me there was no way to get in with my DAT scores (granted my GPA was slightly lower than your GPA). So, I decided to retake ASAP and to make my app better. As soon as I retook the DAT, I made a 24 in RC and a 19 on RC. I called the admissions guy I interviewed with, he said congrats. One week later I was accepted (third day of the acceptance cycle). I say all of this to tell you that on my first GC, I didn't even understand half of the questions, much less how to answer them. I didn't even study much more, and got a 24. It's all random (which sort of contradicts my "equalizer" arguement, but that's hearsay from the adcom at my school). It's all about getting questions that YOU know how to answer. Don't give up, you will run across a version you can do well on, just put in a little more effort, regroup, and smash it next time. Good luck to you.

Question? Why would you even be considered for interview if your scores were so low, a 17, i dont get it? I thought they only offer interview to those that are potential candidates??he interviewer is not suppose to tell you that..god!!

 

[Dr.9999]

You should re-take b/c your gen-chem score might be too low for dental schools. But the rest looks good. Plus your second time around you would def do much better 🙂 Btw how was the gen-chem section compared to topscore and datqvault?

 

[periopocket]

Tough situation, but good chances if you apply 20 schools fast, if you retake much better chances...it is getting late now

 

[whodat4life]

Question? Why would you even be considered for interview if your scores were so low, a 17, i dont get it? I thought they only offer interview to those that are potential candidates??he interviewer is not suppose to tell you that..god!!

Because Loma Linda is different from other schools, you aren't just a number to them. Obviously, you have to have good grades to get in, but they are just as interested in how you got to where you are. I know predents think it's only about scores and that could not be further from the truth (here at least). Also, I was a rare applicant, people from my state have rarely applied there...so I guess they saw a shot to get some "diversity" or something, who knows. Sorry that upsets you so much that I got in with a 17 lol. If it means anything, I have a higher GPA in dental school than I did in undergrad...so it's obviously not ALL about making a certain score.

 

[magriva]

Apply! If you don't get any interviews, retake it. I have a friend who got accepted with a 17AA! never give up! Good luck

 

[awaitsimpatient]

Apply! If you don't get any interviews, retake it. I have a friend who got accepted with a 17AA! never give up! Good luck

k

 

[adambennett92]

I've heard of a girl getting in as an instate student with a 16 but that was a few years ago lol it happens at some schools, apply to a lot of schools but dont waste your money on OOS schools that's avg DAT is a 20. Your GPA is awesome though. If you dont get in, or want higher scores I'd say watch Chad's videos for at least GC and learn every second of them.

 

[STRESSD]

I got accepted to Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine - Illinois 🙂

 

[ekephant]

Congrats! If I may ask, how many schools did you end up applying to? And how many interviews did you get?

 

[STRESSD]

I applied to 15 schools, and I also did not apply early. My application wasn't mailed until mid October. I interviewed early November and got accepted December 3rd. So far this is my only interview/acceptance. I got a few rejections as well. I'm more than happy to answer any questions anyone has about MWU-IL specifically or the application process in general.

 

[RVCA7]

I applied to 15 schools, and I also did not apply early. My application wasn't mailed until mid October. I interviewed early November and got accepted December 3rd. So far this is my only interview/acceptance. I got a few rejections as well. I'm more than happy to answer any questions anyone has about MWU-IL specifically or the application process in general.

How many rejections did you receive?

 

[STRESSD]

2 rejections and 1 re-review in February, which is most likely a rejection.