what DAT score should I am for?

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My grades (including conservative estimates of this semester's grades):
Overall: 3.50
BCP: 3.43
science: 3.40

I'm a non-science major. I've done mostly pretty well in pre-reqs except for Orgo (B and B-). I still have to take physics, but that will be next year after I apply.

BTW my GPAs without Orgo:
BCP: 3.74
Science: 3.54

Upper levels - currently taking Physiology, will take Biochem and Microbio (also next year after I apply).

I have one W in cell bio this past fall.

I've had a downward trend this year due to extraneous situations, and really just my Orgo grades killing my GPA. I've been doing at least a B+ in my other courses.

I have shadowing, volunteer work, research, leadership - though mostly all in the last year or two because I did not start college as pre-dental. Decent LORs (I'm assuming, I didn't read them).

I will be taking the DAT this summer.
I know my grades aren't that great, so what DAT score should I aim for to give myself a chance?

 

[adizzle87]

30 is regarded as a pretty solid score

 

[Contach]

aim for the stars and reach the moon

are you actually going to set your sights lower than a 30?

 

[enfuego]

30 is regarded as a pretty solid score

I heard that it's actually not possible to get a 30 on the DAT. I don't know if that's true, though.

aim for the stars and reach the moon

are you actually going to set your sights lower than a 30?

Well, obviously everyone wants a perfect score, but most people don't even get 25+. I think the OP wants a realistic estimate of what DAT score they should get. People have asked this question before, and posters often make comments like, "Oh, if you get a XX on the DAT, then you have a good shot." I think that's what the OP is asking here.

OP, I would go for a 21 minimum.

 

[Jake8]

Easy aim for a 30, but be happy with 21+

 

[drtoothy]

yup, i'd say 21+ is the way to go. good luck!

 

[adizzle87]

With your GPA I honestly think you can get away with a 20 or maybe even a 19.

Funny thing about my whole DAT prep experience was that I went on SDN for DAT help before I went to my fellow predents at school. I can tell you that people here aim high and talk about and post 20s as if it was a walk in the park, after they get theirs 20s of course (they're usually pulling their hair before hand hehe). People here, because of that tend, to have higher expectations compared with the general applicant pool with a whole no-nonesense "the higher the better, no matter your GPA." So yes, aim for a 24+, but you should have np being happy with a 20. Hope that helps

 

[marcusnasland]

Why not just try your best?

I go into every test i write trying to get a 100 that way i have no regrets.

 

[Contach]

Why not just try your best?

I go into every test i write trying to get a 100 that way i have no regrets.

seriously. good job marcusnaslund canadian...

what the f.uck does it matter what you want to get. fact is you should just try your best for the best possible score.

don't fret about "what score you should aim for, look at me I am such a pansy (in a swedish accent) and I want to walk around with flowers in my hair all day" study and rip it, stop romanticizing this situatio

/end rant gnight im going to sleep im drunk

 

[SatanicMonkey]

seriously. good job marcusnaslund canadian...

what the f.uck does it matter what you want to get. fact is you should just try your best for the best possible score.

don't fret about "what score you should aim for, look at me I am such a pansy (in a swedish accent) and I want to walk around with flowers in my hair all day" study and rip it, stop romanticizing this situatio

/end rant gnight im going to sleep im drunk

rofl

 

[g0forkurself]

Don't a lot of schools require that you have finished physics before you apply or am I mistaken?

 

[enfuego]

Don't a lot of schools require that you have finished physics before you apply or am I mistaken?

I think you just need to take it before you matriculate.

 

[UCLAzy]

lol @ this post

 

[noichenadio]

you would probably need a 22+ to stand a chance. if any lower you might get a waitlist or two.

 

[ECUMuscle]

Not to sound sarcastic, but as high as you can. I know several people in the 20-24 range that have gotten rejection letters whether it was from their state school or decently/below avg competitive school. Nothing is a given. Based on your stats, to have a better chance, I would definitely be hoping for at the very least a 19 but aim for perfection.

 

[Dentgirl09]

You NEED about a 20 AA and TS at least. Aim for a 30 like everyone else said.

You might fall short in a section or twoo... but you might do really well on others. Either way... do as much as you can!

 

[chund]

I say call your schools or look at the adea and get the averages for this years class (2013) and then aim for at least that to have a fighting chance. And try to stay away from anything below <16 or <18 bc there tends to be cut-offs for many schools. Focus on the schools you are interested in, not what ppl you don't know "think" you should "aim" for.

 

[Stephie3]

first of all, taking the DAT isn't like gambling with grades in school. you can't just be like "well i'll just skip class for a week and aim for a B." or doing the whole doctoring your schedule and things like that.

the DAT is NOT like that.

the difference between a 24 and a 27 is like one or two questions (something like that). SO you can't just think that you are going to slack off a bit and land an "ok" score. if you go in with the attitude that you're just aiming for a 19, it could land you a 15.

you really DO have to do your absolute best.

sorry, that's probably not what you want to hear.

 

[chund]

i know, I thought I was gonna get a 30 on PAT, how many questions out of 90 can you miss and score a 24? anyone?

 

[bluemanchews]

Not sure if anyone has addresses this.. But how do you "am" for something?