What are my chances? 14RC

[Steezyteve]

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Hey guys do I even have a chance at acceptance? So far I've called a couple admissions offices and it's unclear whether I should retake or not because scores can be "unpredictable", but 14RC is definitely a red flag. What schools would this be an automatic reject for? One school told me my scores are good enough and it's up to me and the another advised that I should not retake and explain the discrepancy on my application (4.0 english GPA).

Date of submission: First week of June
Overall GPA: 3.96
Science GPA: 3.94
Bio-Chem-Physics GPA: 3.95
DAT score (include AA and all sections): 20AA / 23TS / 23PAT / 18QR / 14RC/ 23BIO / 25GC / 22OC
State of Residence: Colorado

Undergrad Attended: University of Colorado - Boulder
Major: Integrative Physiology
Minor:
Minority? No
Reapplicant? No
Nontrad? No

Shadowing Experience: ~150 with an oral surgeon, should be at ~100 with general dentist by the time applications open
Volunteering Experience: Over 200 by the time applications open
Employment: N/A possible dental assistant job within the next week
Research: ~100, but not very relevant because it was physical therapy related
Other Extracurriculars: Fraternity Health and Safety Board, Diversity Program, Recycle Marshall for an annual bike race, Academic Tutor, Physiology TA for two years, Lots of intramural sports
Relevant Honors or Awards: Graduation with distinction, 8x Dean's list, Golden Buffalo Award, 2x Fraternity Scholar of the Year, IFC Honored Senior
Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere: Solid letters of recommendation, have connections with a lot of faculty at Colorado Dental

School list:

Colorado
Washington
UCLA
UCSF
UNC
Marquette
Still compiling my list (suggestions welcome)

 

[Thiscrazyputa]

How did you manage to get a 14? It should take more effort getting a lower score like that. Ur stats, GPA, other DAT scores are incredible. 😱


Some schools have minimum cutoffs.
Check this old link out Compilation of DAT minimum requirements ("cut-offs")
And do your research and call all the schools your interested in to verify it. Try to get a hold of someone actually involved in the admissions decisions like the dean or assistant dean of admissions.

 

[knewstance]

Are you sure there wasn't a smudge on the printout and was really a 24? That's about the only thing that would make sense.

Everything looks pretty solid with great GPA and DAT scores. I think if I were in your shoes, I would apply and see what happens. RC is often weighted pretty heavily, but your other stats may be good enough to tip the scale.

 

[MavsFanForLife]

In 99% of cases with a 14RC I would say a retake is necessary....your case may be the 1%. Gun to my head, I would bet you would still get interviews if you applied this cycle. Just have a good reason for the low RC. Best of luck!

 

[Steezyteve]

How did you manage to get a 14? It should take more effort getting a lower score like that. Ur stats, GPA, other DAT scores are incredible. 😱


Some schools have minimum cutoffs.
Check this old link out Compilation of DAT minimum requirements ("cut-offs")
And do your research and call all the schools your interested in to verify it. Try to get a hold of someone actually involved in the admissions decisions like the dean or assistant dean of admissions.

Thanks for the reply! I will be sure to use this advice

 

[Steezyteve]

Are you sure there wasn't a smudge on the printout and was really a 24? That's about the only thing that would make sense.

Everything looks pretty solid with great GPA and DAT scores. I think if I were in your shoes, I would apply and see what happens. RC is often weighted pretty heavily, but your other stats may be good enough to tip the scale.

Yeah I had to take a double check as well. I’m thinking to apply now and retake if schools request it.

 

[Steezyteve]

In 99% of cases with a 14RC I would say a retake is necessary....your case may be the 1%. Gun to my head, I would bet you would still get interviews if you applied this cycle. Just have a good reason for the low RC. Best of luck!

I’m thinking I should just apply as well! What ended up happening was I got 14 application based questions in a row (a whole passage) and didn’t even make it to the last passage. Forgot all forms of strategy when I was scoring 22-24 on practice tests. Do you think this is a valid reason?

 

[Thiscrazyputa]

What ended up happening was I got 14 application based questions in a row (a whole passage) and didn’t even make it to the last passage. Forgot all forms of strategy when I was scoring 22-24 on practice tests.

Don't say that even if its the truth. They will take that as you having performance issues when it matters the most.😉

 

[MavsFanForLife]

I’m thinking I should just apply as well! What ended up happening was I got 14 application based questions in a row (a whole passage) and didn’t even make it to the last passage. Forgot all forms of strategy when I was scoring 22-24 on practice tests. Do you think this is a valid reason?

With your gpa and the rest of your DAT scores, I think schools would understand that reason and write it off as a fluke

 

[artist2022]

School list:

Colorado
Washington
UCLA
UCSF
UNC
Marquette
Still compiling my list (suggestions welcome)

Your DAT score is pretty good considering the 14 - you still got a 20AA and a 23TS (the average for matriculated students was about a 20.4 a few years ago). Your GPAs are high, and they'd match your DAT score well if it wasn't for the 14 🙁

Since there's nothing you can do about it now (besides a retake obv), I would compile a smart and strategic school list. For one, I would unfortunately take UCLA, UCSF, and UNC off as they are very selective with their OOS applicants. Don't know too much about Wash or Marquette unfortunately but look to see if they're OOS friendly. I wouldn't have many public schools on there because they can afford to by picky and your 14 may cause you to be auto-rejected. Thus, I would add more private schools (Case, LECOM, MWU, ASDOH/MOSDOH, etc) so that you have a decent shot, but you better please CU as much as you can cause that would be your cheapest option (def send updates and a letter of interest until you get an interview (don't go too crazy with the frequency of updates tho - like once every 2 mo or so))!

Good luck!