Was told my scores are not very competitive by UOP!!!

[huskiesrule]

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Here are my scores;

BIO: 20
CHEM: 21
OCHEM: 23
QR: 19
RC: 18
PAT: 18
AA: 20
TS: 21

Was told that I should consider retaking it to boost up RC AND PAT and that 18 was their cutoff for any section. So if you receive an 18 on any section you should consider retaking it. I thought I had performed well but I guess not.

IS IT just UOP or should I retake the DAT. My science gpa is 3.5 and ogpa is 3.65.

 

[NMC2010]

Yeah, I think their average for acceptance is ~22 AA / 22 PAT. Did you apply to other schools?

 

[Toadesque]

I believe UoP is one of the schools that expects a high PAT, but some schools do not care about it. I personally wouldn't retake though

 

[Koalafied]

Here are my scores;

BIO: 20
CHEM: 21
OCHEM: 23
QR: 19
RC: 18
PAT: 18
AA: 20
TS: 21

Was told that I should consider retaking it to boost up RC AND PAT and that 18 was their cutoff for any section. So if you receive an 18 on any section you should consider retaking it. I thought I had performed well but I guess not.

IS IT just UOP or should I retake the DAT. My science gpa is 3.5 and ogpa is 3.65.

Did the folks at UoP outright tell/informed you?

http://dental.pacific.edu/Academic_Programs/Doctor_of_Dental_Surgery/DDS_Admissions_FAQ.html (It's the first FAQs you see.....)
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=659205
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=311367
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=742579

 

[wtang567]

Here are my scores;

BIO: 20
CHEM: 21
OCHEM: 23
QR: 19
RC: 18
PAT: 18
AA: 20
TS: 21

Was told that I should consider retaking it to boost up RC AND PAT and that 18 was their cutoff for any section. So if you receive an 18 on any section you should consider retaking it. I thought I had performed well but I guess not.

IS IT just UOP or should I retake the DAT. My science gpa is 3.5 and ogpa is 3.65.

retaking the DAT because one school doesn't like it is foolish in my opinion. Especially when that school charges around 330K in just tuition and is located in a city that has one of the highest costs of living in the country. I find it funny that this school emphasizes PAT when PAT hast the lowest correlation with dental board scores.

Call other schools and see what they think

 

[helloworld9]

retaking the DAT because one school doesn't like it is foolish in my opinion. Especially when that school charges around 330K in just tuition and is located in a city that has one of the highest costs of living in the country. I find it funny that this school emphasizes PAT when PAT hast the lowest correlation with dental board scores.

Call other schools and see what they think

Yeah it is a bit silly to retake the entire DAT just for one school, especially with your stats. *A warning to those who plan to apply there or have applied, they have recently began looking more heavily at RC scores so be sure you prepare yourselves.* However in defense of UOP, their clinical program is one of the best in the nation, so there must be some correlation because they need that high PAT to ensure you do well in terms of hand skills. And true SF is freaking expensive and the tuition is ridiculous...but it's all just a bargain. 3 years with a pretty hefty debt or 4 years with a little less debt...

Paying for the DAT isn't exactly a drop in the bucket though so best of luck with your other schools!

 

[Toadesque]

About 7-8 years ago a friend of mine was in their 3 year undergrad program that goes straight into their dental school. He took the DAT and had a 24 AA but only a 14 PAT. UoP forced him to retake or he wouldn't get in and he pulled out a 17. Luckily his other scores didn't go down (maybe a little). But it sounds like they want a PAT above 20 or they just throw your app out which is ridiculous

They are absolutely nuts up there

 

[dannybobanny182]

I've heard and met the assistant dean of admission in my pre-dental club and both times in his presentation that UOP is heavily weighed on DAT and especially PAT. He said they are GPA forgiving but DAT and PAT has to be very high. I know some individuals who've graduated or currently there that did not have above a 3.0 GPA but had awesome DAT and PAT scores from what they told me personally. So must speak true about what the school wants. RC score is new to me.

 

[bibim]

About 7-8 years ago a friend of mine was in their 3 year undergrad program that goes straight into their dental school. He took the DAT and had a 24 AA but only a 14 PAT. UoP forced him to retake or he wouldn't get in and he pulled out a 17. Luckily his other scores didn't go down (maybe a little). But it sounds like they want a PAT above 20 or they just throw your app out which is ridiculous

They are absolutely nuts up there

It's not entirely unreasonable expecting someone to retake because of a 14 PAT despite a 24 AA. You have to get a lot of questions incorrect to get a 14 in any section, which wouldn't meet cutoffs at a lot of schools.
The DAT is a standardized exam meant to gauge applicants across an even plane. It's one component and how much they decide to weigh it doesn't necessarily make them nuts.

 

[huskiesrule]

I contacted them and they told me that their averages are 21+ for each subject. I guess I won't retake it considering I don't want to risk doing worse the 2nd time around.

 

[gn4]

makes me think maybe i'm wasting money interviewing there. haha. I have an 18 PAT and was invited to interview. If they really are this strict about PAT and DAT scores, then idk why I'm interviewing there.

 

[experiment626]

How odd. I had very similar DAT scores and a slightly lower GPA than you, but UOP didn't blow a whistle on me. Then again, I didn't get invited for an interview until February. I think those are pretty good scores. Wait to hear what other schools say. Hang in there!

 

[ChrisM07]

makes me think maybe i'm wasting money interviewing there. haha. I have an 18 PAT and was invited to interview. If they really are this strict about PAT and DAT scores, then idk why I'm interviewing there.

Not to be smart, but could it be your GPA? I mean I'm sure even UoP will overlook DAT in favor of GPA right?

 

[Jordwin]

Well shoot maybe I should apply to uop if they are so interested in the PAT!

 

[hunterx2]

lol. I simply cannot understand what you have to do to get an interview at UoP even IF you have high scores. 25AA/24PAT here, applied early, haven't heard a peep. A friend of mine with a 24AA applied first batch and she hasn't heard either.

 

[squigloo]

Well shoot maybe I should apply to uop if they are so interested in the PAT!

Yeah, because your other scores are total crap.

 

[Jordwin]

Yeah, because your other scores are total crap.

Yeah.. Sorry about that I just got excited . Since I didn't get in last year I get overly excited on everything and I'm sorry that comment by me was uncalled for.

 

[LaughingGas]

OP. They are "average" scores. I personally think your scores are competitive. Just because 1 school and in particular 1 person told you to retake, doesn't mean that she/he represents the admissions committee.
Don't let that change your opinion about the school itself, and if you had originally thought of applying there, do so.