What schools are a MUST?

[bipster10]

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Hello all, I have decided that I am just going to apply with the scores that I got on the DAT ( listed below ) even though they are not what I would like them to be. I have about a 3.5 GPA and science GPA and plenty of volunteer and shadowing experience. I was just wondering, given my statistics, what schools are a MUST to apply to. Also, it is important to note that I live in Pennsylvania.

DAT


Standard Score Percentile
Perceptual Ability 18 55.3
Quantitative Reasoning 16 65.3
Reading Comprehension 18 52.2
Biology 19 83.5
Gen Chem 20 86.0
Organic Chem 19 75.7
Total Science 19 82.8
Academic Average 18 72.5


Thanks in advance!

 

[iwannabadentist]

you should note that there is no "easy" school to get into - however, to answer your question, your chances are highest at big private schools, namely USC, BU, NYU, Midwestern, WesternU, Nova to name a few. The only reason you might have a slightly higher chance at these schools is because people who have better stats than yourself will usually have more options (more acceptances) and usually the most logical choice is the cheaper school. Since these private schools are on the more expensive side, people with a cheaper choice will likely attend there.

I still think you have plenty of time if you want to submit your apps asap and retake your DATs even in August.

 

[Charmm]

I think you should be more specific; some schools like research, some volunteer and other stuff and most importantly none of them wants to be known as " back up" school. Watch out, Tufts and BU does not accept junior college credits; for Case you need research; Creighton and LLU are considrred religious schools; Arizona ( god knows how they make their decisions); UOP loves it if you live in Bay Area. I hope you choose your schools wisely.


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AA/TS/PA
24/26/21
Columbia 2014

 

[pumpUup]

It's really hard to suggest a school that accepts students with 18AA DAT score.
I think it's better to retake the test instead of risking your chance without having a competitive score.

 

[Erhatstil]

It's really hard to suggest a school that accepts students with 18AA DAT score.
I think it's better to retake the test instead of risking your chance without having a competitive score.

an 18 AA is not uncompetitve

 

[MrBeans]

an 18 AA is not uncompetitve

True, an 18AA coupled with a solid 3.5 may be sufficient for some schools.

 

[2PacClone23]

17AA is the average for all DAT test takers, while a 19AA is the average for accepted and matriculated students.

 

[takedailyfiber]

Some schools post their previous years' stats: GPAs, DATs, male/female, how many interviewed/how many accepted. You might want to look at schools' pages for this information to get a better idea.

Also, I think you should apply and see what happens, with your DAT scores. If the average is 19AA, that means for every 20AA that gets in somewhere, an 18AA gets in somewhere, doesn't it?

18AA is right in line with some schools' averages too.

 

[Charmm]

You know why some people post their scores? to show the competition!
18AA may not be bad, but in a competition, there is no good or bad. The highest scores are accepted first, then others. I think you have enough time to bring that up to probably 22. If you do not plan to retake, be ready to answer this question in your interview:

How come your DAT score is so low?

 

[adizzle87]

I was just wondering, given my statistics, what schools are a MUST to apply to. Also, it is important to note that I live in Pennsylvania.

Temple and Pitt is a must if you are a PA resident, they are your state schools (public vs state-related, same difference?). Your stats are within range, and if you were to get in anywhere it'd likely be at either of those schools for sure. At any rate tuition is pretty cheap at both programs as an in-stater GL 👍

 

[cmcner]

You know why some people post their scores? to show the competition!
18AA may not be bad, but in a competition, there is no good or bad. The highest scores are accepted first, then others. I think you have enough time to bring that up to probably 22. If you do not plan to retake, be ready to answer this question in your interview:

How come your DAT score is so low?

I was interviewed and accepted with an 18AA and a 3.35 GPA, none of the interviewers suggested my DAT was low. And 22 isn't a given ever.

 

[Charmm]

I was interviewed and accepted with an 18AA and a 3.35 GPA, none of the interviewers suggested my DAT was low. And 22 isn't a given ever.

then USC is a must apply school!

 

[jol2008]

then USC is a must apply school!

Exactly! If you have solid volunteer experiences and community service, definitely apply to USC and the chances of getting in is quite high. A lot of students with 3.0 GPA and 18 DAT score get into USC, so it must be their exceptional EC's that increase their chances of being accepted.

 

[cmcner]

Exactly! If you have solid volunteer experiences and community service, definitely apply to USC and the chances of getting in is quite high. A lot of students with 3.0 GPA and 18 DAT score get into USC, so it must be their exceptional EC's that increase their chances of being accepted.

Exceptional ECs along with having their master's degrees in progress at the time.

You guys are missing the point. Every school looks for something different. If you do your research you can find your best fits, which may shockingly also be the places where you would best fit. I was just trying to say be a whole person and don't get caught up in these people who make you think not having a 20 means your doomed. I actually interviewed at another school which was a very competitive school where my numbers didn't stack up at all, but I researched and saw that I fit their mission and what they were looking for. Look at the ADEA book and look at DAT score ranges, the low scores go pretty low at almost all places which pretty much mean 90% of the schools care about the whole applicant. Nice numbers always make life easier, but average numbers don't mean all hope is lost. Dental schools like people not robots, live a good responsible life be a real person, be a good friend, always try and do the right thing and you'll have nothing to regret and nothing to be ashamed of. After you do that convey that person to the admissions committee and if they don't like you it's their loss.

 

[jol2008]

Exceptional ECs along with having their master's degrees in progress at the time. Every school looks for something different. If you do your research you can find your best fits, which may shockingly also be the places where you would best fit. I was just trying to say be a whole person and don't get caught up in these people who make you think not having a 20 means your doomed. I actually interviewed at another school which was a very competitive school where my numbers didn't stack up at all, but I researched and saw that I fit their mission and what they were looking for. Look at the ADEA book and look at DAT score ranges, the low scores go pretty low at almost all places which pretty much mean 90% of the schools care about the whole applicant. Nice numbers always make life easier, but average numbers don't mean all hope is lost. Dental schools like people not robots.

The reason I said it must be their EC's is because out of 144 students entering USC in 2009, only 10 had masters and 1 had PhD. (taken from USC website: http://dentistry.usc.edu/doctoral.aspx?id=910&linkidentifier=id&itemid=910&menu_id=258)

 

[Charmm]

Exceptional ECs along with having their master's degrees in progress at the time.

You guys are missing the point. Every school looks for something different. If you do your research you can find your best fits, which may shockingly also be the places where you would best fit. I was just trying to say be a whole person and don't get caught up in these people who make you think not having a 20 means your doomed. I actually interviewed at another school which was a very competitive school where my numbers didn't stack up at all, but I researched and saw that I fit their mission and what they were looking for. Look at the ADEA book and look at DAT score ranges, the low scores go pretty low at almost all places which pretty much mean 90% of the schools care about the whole applicant. Nice numbers always make life easier, but average numbers don't mean all hope is lost. Dental schools like people not robots, live a good responsible life be a real person, be a good friend, always try and do the right thing and you'll have nothing to regret and nothing to be ashamed of. After you do that convey that person to the admissions committee and if they don't like you it's their loss.

Let's not forget that private schools who accept average scores are much more expensive than others. USC may be relatively easier to get in but the price is almost 400K. I think It is worthwhile to push for better scores and get into cheaper schools. Now, if you are in love with USC, with higher numbers you can get scholarships from them. If you don't have 20 AA you are not doomed, but you will have to pay a llllllllllllot

 

[drashleypaige]

Exceptional ECs along with having their master's degrees in progress at the time.

You guys are missing the point. Every school looks for something different. ...... I actually interviewed at another school which was a very competitive school where my numbers didn't stack up at all, but I researched and saw that I fit their mission and what they were looking for. Look at the ADEA book and look at DAT score ranges, the low scores go pretty low at almost all places which pretty much mean 90% of the schools care about the whole applicant. Nice numbers always make life easier, but average numbers don't mean all hope is lost. Dental schools like people not robots, live a good responsible life be a real person, be a good friend, always try and do the right thing and you'll have nothing to regret and nothing to be ashamed of. After you do that convey that person to the admissions committee and if they don't like you it's their loss.

I wholeheartedly agree with the above. Numbers aren't everything. I was a reapplicant for the last cycle and my numbers weren't the greatest but I purchased the ADEA book, did my research and saw how my numbers stacked up to the previous year's applicants to the schools I was interested in.

I was so focused on a few schools the first time around that I completely didn't consider the school I ended up being accepted to. However, after going through the ADEA book and doing a little more research into different schools I never even thought to consider, I realized that the mission of my school fit me. I wrote my personal statement from the heart, had tons of relevant ECs, and gave it my all during the interview (and prayed a lot!!! 🙂 ) Dental schools want competitive applicants but they also want people who are genuinely interested in dentistry and will be a great fit to their schools.

Just do your research and you'll be fine. And good luck 👍