What are my chances?

[washugraduate]

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Hi everyone. I'm applying for 2012 term and I just took my DAT. Yes, it's late, but I think I did really well on the exam. I am wondering how competitive my DAT scores and GPA's are within the circumstances that I am in.

I just graduated (in December) from Washington U in STL with BS in Business Admin.
My total GPA is 3.65 and Science GPA is 3.17
I took my DAT late (just now in mid Jan) and received following scores:

Perceptual Ability 26
Quantitative Reasoning 28
Reading 24
Biology 30
General Chemistry 26
Organic Chemistry 20
Total Science 24
Academic Average 26

I have submitted my app and designated it to:
USC, UDM, Creighton, NYU, Tufts, and Temple
These schools accept apps till Feb 15th (except Temple).

I think I would also have to mention that I am not a US citizen.

I'm asking, basically, is my DAT impressive enough to overcome my low science GPA and late test date?

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

Amazing DAT scores, congrats on that.

I don't think anyone on SDN can give you a real definitive answer. I would call up each school tomorrow and ask admissions what they think.

 

[MAR89]

Go Bears! Good to see another WashU alum on here 👍

There's no doubt you killed the DAT (huge congrats!), but like you said, applying this late, your sciGPA, and your being an international student are all working against you. I would agree with AwesomeTeeth's advice...you'd get the most accurate assessment of your chances by calling the schools themselves. I don't think it could hurt to apply, given that you have the funds to do so, but if I had to hazard a guess, you'd be best off applying next cycle (you only have to wait til June, so it's not actually that far off).

Maybe take a one year postbac to raise your science GPA just a little bit and you'll be golden. Also apply to schools that favor DAT scores over GPA's. The only school that I am aware of that does this is Columbia, though there may be others.

GL my friend!

 

[ttpharm]

Congrats on the amazing DAT score! Was the bio section very detailed? I understand most processes in Bio but I'm afraid the little details is where its going to hurt me.

Like would they ask something less detailed: what types of mRNA processing are there?
Or something more detailed: What does adding the 5' cap do? A. Stabilize mRNA B. Stabilize mRNA and allows attachment to large subunit of ribosome C. Stabilize mRNA and allows attachment to small subunit of ribosome (answer)

In the more detailed question, you'd have to know it connects to the small subunit as well.

 

[washugraduate]

the bio section was definitely more detailed than most of the practice DAT's. But there wasn't a very detailed questions about RNA processing. Most of the questions were on general biology topics but some answer choices involved less-than-major terms, like you said, small subunits. Also there were some questions where you have to look carefully for key info in the question itself.

 

[washugraduate]

Go Bears! Good to see another WashU alum on here 👍

There's no doubt you killed the DAT (huge congrats!), but like you said, applying this late, your sciGPA, and your being an international student are all working against you. I would agree with AwesomeTeeth's advice...you'd get the most accurate assessment of your chances by calling the schools themselves. I don't think it could hurt to apply, given that you have the funds to do so, but if I had to hazard a guess, you'd be best off applying next cycle (you only have to wait til June, so it's not actually that far off).

Maybe take a one year postbac to raise your science GPA just a little bit and you'll be golden. Also apply to schools that favor DAT scores over GPA's. The only school that I am aware of that does this is Columbia, though there may be others.

GL my friend!

yeah go bears!
I have already submitted my app so I guess I'll find out how viable i am sooner or later.
can i really call them and ask what they think? I mean it's my first time to apply for graduate degree, and i remember applying to college didn't really work that way.

 

[washugraduate]

Amazing DAT scores, congrats on that.

I don't think anyone on SDN can give you a real definitive answer. I would call up each school tomorrow and ask admissions what they think.

thanks!

 

[HAWKDDS2014]

To me, this is a very tough call. If I were you, I would hold off until the 2013 cycle and apply June 1st. I don't think you will have any issues being accepted somewhere next year with your awesome DAT scores if your EC's and LOR's are even decent. You may have a long shot at getting in this year since it is so late in the cycle, but unless you won't be too upset at throwing away several hundred or even upwards of $1000 I wouldn't risk it. Look on the brightside, if you wait till 2013 you will likely get your choice between a couple different schools if you apply broadly and intelligently !