Well..the DAT is over for me...I don't know if that's a good thing?

[Nismoboy]

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I took my test Monday morning. I went in after 2 months of studying. Studied the Kaplan Blue book and used TopScore. The first time I took the DAT I got a 16/19, this time I got a 17/19. I really hope that the schools see how much I improved on the Organic section (that was by far my lowest score on the 1st DAT). I really need some advice as to what I need to do now (i.e. apply to more schools, etc.) Whoever said before that it takes a lot of guts to show your stats was right...I'm kind of ashamed but I really need advice and encouragement. Here are my stats:

I have shadowed two dentists (one of them is writing me a LOR). I did research at Tufts University Summer Undergraduate Research Program this summer (don't know yet if I will get published or not). I have plenty of EC activities on my resume. My GPA's are: BCP-3.1, Science GPA-3.24, Overall-3.44.

First DAT:
AA: 16
NS:15
Bio:16
Chem:16
Orgo:13
PAT:19
RC:19
QR:17

Second DAT:
AA:17
NS:16
Bio:15 (???)
Chem:17
Orgo:18 (that shocked me)
PAT:19
RC:17
QR:17

I just reviewed PAT, QR, and RC a few days before. Now I regret it.

I would really appreciate it if you guys could tell me what schools I should add to my list so that I may have a better chance of accpetance somewhere. I applied to Nova, UF, Tufts, BU, NYU, Howard, Meharry, (I am a minority btw), UT-SA (my cousin just graduated from there, I figured, what the heck), UT-Houston, Baylor (I know, no chance). These are the schools I was thinking of adding: Case, Marquette, UDM, Arizona, USC, and IUSD...Thanks

 

[Rezdawg]

Since I am a reapplicant, it may help to see what I did not get in with last year.

GPA: 3.08ish
Science: 2.9

DAT:
AA: 19
TS: 17
Bio: 16
Chem: 17
Orgo: 19
R.C.: 21
Q.R.: 21
PAT: 18

I applied to 13 schools, including the "easy" ones. I received 2 total interviews, from UT-Houston and NYU. However, I did apply relatively late in the process (october), so that may be a minor reason why a school like BU did not give me an interview. However, in speaking to schools such as BU, USC, the other Texas schools, NYU, etc...They all told me one basic thing...Get that total science score up and probably 18+ per section of the DAT.

Given your situation, your GPA is much better than mine, while your DAT score is a little lower than mine. I would say that you may have the same odds as me last year, probably a little better. It may help to try and get that TS score up a point or two. Im not sure. Maybe some others can chime in. If you have applied already, see what the schools think.

 

[Lumbee.Dr]

Nismo,
Thanks for sharing your scores. 🙂 My scores were similar to yours (my DAT #1, 1/04). I am retaking it in a couple of weeks to increase my score. My GPA3.8. Every school seems to want something different. So, research and find which school is right for you. Some schools say that they prefer to see a student with a good GPA to demonstrate that they have worked hard for years. Some, seem to focus on a DAT score that a student studies for a couple of months and ACES. (I am shooting for the happy medium 😉 ) It all depends on the personality behind the admission com. Talk to the schools that you are interested in, and/or students from those schools. Everyone will not be above average on the DAT, and everyone will not have a 3.5 or 4.0. (Afterall, that is how most schools get their AA18 or GPA 3.4 overall averages) We all are shooting for the same dream, to become a dentist. In your interviews, let your passion, commitment shine through!!!!

 

[hockeydentist]

Start lookin at the East coast schools,
in particular NYU, Marquette, your minority look into meharry and howard.

Hd

 

[demonicr]

nismo,

your score is right about the average, i know people with scores and gpa same as yours and have gotten acceptances. as u probbaly know, apply to as many private school as possible, and EARLY. i don't reccomend applying to howard or meharry unless you are african american. i know an asian guy with stats way above their averages and didn't even get an interview. i heard they cater mostly to african american, but u can give them a shot if you wish. don't let all the posts in here with dat scores being off the chart discourage you, there are many dat scores out there lower than yours that some people don't like to post..anyways good luc with your application