WAMC- Low PAT & Low Volunteer Hours

[supertooth2345]

Hi, I am a bit worried about my lower PAT score relative to the rest of my DAT & worried that I wasn't as involved at my school as I should've been! I'm also a bit worried about my clinical experience because it is mostly with specialists, rather than a general dentist.

Date of submission: Aiming for Mid-Late June
Overall GPA: 3.65
Science GPA: 3.6
Bio-Chem-Physics GPA: 3.5
DAT score (include AA and all sections):
AA: 23
TS: 24
QR: 22
RC:23
BIO:24
GEN CHEM: 21
OCHEM: 27
PAT: 18 (Very low compared to the rest of my scores)
State of Residence: WA
Nontrad? No
Major: Biochemistry
Minor: Business
Minority? No
Reapplicant?No
Shadowing Experience: 75 hours across two general dentists (currently working on getting it to 100 hours by the time of applications)
Volunteering Experience:

• Tax Filing for Low Income→ 100 hours
• Volunteer at Food Bank → 85 (continuing to increase hours)

Employment:

• Working as an ortho assistant (1500 hours)
• Started a new job as lead endodontic assistant (currently 35 hours, aiming for around 100 hours by application time)
• Worked as a front desk receptionist for my university (~200 hours)

Research: No
Other Extracurriculars:

• Organic Chemistry Tutor: 100 hours
• Program Coordinator for church: 200 hours

Have you volunteered/shadowed/attended events at any dental schools?

• Attended two admission workshops for UW, planning on attending ADEAGo?
• Working for uwsod faculty

Relevant Honors or Awards:

• Dean's List (3 years)
• 1 academic scholarship

LOR type and strength:

• Orthodontist (strong), science prof (generic?), 2nd science prof (strong)

Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere/Red Flags:

• Did dual enrollment in high school and completed chemistry at community college during COVID, so I couldn’t do lab
• Not sure if I can include activities that I did when I took college courses in high school (if I can, I was also a chemistry tutor at my community college)
• Low PAT score
• LOR from an orthodontist & not a general dentist? (I'm not currently interested in specializing)

School list: (Any other suggestions?) -

• UW (instate)
• OHSU
• UoP
• WesternU
• ASDOH
• Roseman
• Colorado

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[macsak]

Hi, I am a bit worried about my lower PAT score relative to the rest of my DAT & worried that I wasn't as involved at my school as I should've been! I'm also a bit worried about my clinical experience because it is mostly with specialists, rather than a general dentist.

Date of submission: Aiming for Mid-Late June
Overall GPA: 3.65
Science GPA: 3.6
Bio-Chem-Physics GPA: 3.5
DAT score (include AA and all sections):
AA: 23
TS: 24
QR: 22
RC:23
BIO:24
GEN CHEM: 21
OCHEM: 27
PAT: 18 (Very low compared to the rest of my scores)
State of Residence: WA
Nontrad? No
Major: Biochemistry
Minor: Business
Minority? No
Reapplicant?No
Shadowing Experience: 75 hours across two general dentists (currently working on getting it to 100 hours by the time of applications)
Volunteering Experience:

• Tax Filing for Low Income→ 100 hours
• Volunteer at Food Bank → 85 (continuing to increase hours)

Employment:

• Working as an ortho assistant (1500 hours)
• Started a new job as lead endodontic assistant (currently 35 hours, aiming for around 100 hours by application time)
• Worked as a front desk receptionist for my university (~200 hours)

Research: No
Other Extracurriculars:

• Organic Chemistry Tutor: 100 hours
• Program Coordinator for church: 200 hours

Have you volunteered/shadowed/attended events at any dental schools?

• Attended two admission workshops for UW, planning on attending ADEAGo?
• Working for uwsod faculty

Relevant Honors or Awards:

• Dean's List (3 years)
• 1 academic scholarship

LOR type and strength:

• Orthodontist (strong), science prof (generic?), 2nd science prof (strong)

Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere/Red Flags:

• Did dual enrollment in high school and completed chemistry at community college during COVID, so I couldn’t do lab
• Not sure if I can include activities that I did when I took college courses in high school (if I can, I was also a chemistry tutor at my community college)
• Low PAT score
• LOR from an orthodontist & not a general dentist? (I'm not currently interested in specializing)

School list: (Any other suggestions?) -

• UW (instate)
• OHSU
• UoP
• WesternU
• ASDOH
• Roseman
• Colorado

18 PAT shouldn't be an issue overall (except that UW has traditionally liked high PAT scores)
how did you come up with the rest of the list?

 

[supertooth2345]

18 PAT shouldn't be an issue overall (except that UW has traditionally liked high PAT scores)
how did you come up with the rest of the list?

I came up with it based on region (I wasn't sure if Colorado was too far out, region-wise, but I was doing it based on the WICHE PSEP) as well as mission fit (mostly community-service & strong clinical experience)

 

[supertooth2345]

18 PAT shouldn't be an issue overall (except that UW has traditionally liked high PAT scores)
how did you come up with the rest of the list?

Do you think my clinical experience could make up for the lower PAT score for UW?

 

[macsak]

I came up with it based on region (I wasn't sure if Colorado was too far out, region-wise, but I was doing it based on the WICHE PSEP) as well as mission fit (mostly community-service & strong clinical experience)

those are good reasons, but i don't get strong community service vibes from what you have described
above average, yeah, but not strong IMO
there are a few more regional schools that you left off
did you speak with dr sue or memory about your chances at uwsod?

 

[supertooth2345]

those are good reasons, but i don't get strong community service vibes from what you have described
above average, yeah, but not strong IMO
there are a few more regional schools that you left off
did you speak with dr sue or memory about your chances at uwsod?

I haven't spoken to Dr Sue nor Dr Memory, however, I can try to reach out to them to discuss my chances at uwsod.

In terms of my overall application, besides dramatically increasing my volunteer hours, is there anything else I should do to improve my application between now and the submission date or any red flags that stand out to you?

 

[macsak]

I haven't spoken to Dr Sue nor Dr Memory, however, I can try to reach out to them to discuss my chances at uwsod.

In terms of my overall application, besides dramatically increasing my volunteer hours, is there anything else I should do to improve my application between now and the submission date or any red flags that stand out to you?

memory brock is not a doctor...

i don't think you need to "dramatically increase" your volunteer hours
especially in the few weeks you have until submission
nor do you have any red flags

you just need a better school list-
a few reach schools, mostly in-range schools, and some safety schools

your GPAs are just over the national matriculant average (3.55), but fortunately, your DATS are well above matriculant average (20.5)
right now, you are short on in-range schools...

 

[drDental_]

your GPAs are just over the national matriculant average (3.55), but fortunately, your DATS are well above matriculant average (20.5)
right now, you are short on in-range schools...

Per ADEA’s 2024 data, the matriculant average cumulative and science GPAs were 3.67 and 3.59, respectively. The matriculant average AA was a 21.

 

[macsak]

Per ADEA’s 2024 data, the matriculant average cumulative and science GPAs were 3.67 and 3.59, respectively. The matriculant average AA was a 21.

wow
thanks
i was quoting old, innaccurate info...