What should i do???

[Mike Smith]

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Hi everyone,

Congrats to those who already got in this cycle . I need some help in making few decisions.

I graduated from a university with a 3.4 over all and 3.45 science gpa . My dat score was great except the rc section: 22 gc ; 24 oc ; 18 bio ; 18 pat ; 17 qr ; 16 rc .

I dont know what to do to improve my application for next cycle. I am waitlisted for one school currently and waiting to hear back from many schools (BU, tufts, maryland, usc, nj ) Should I start studying for DAT and retake it before April?? or will be ok for me to keep this score and just go and do masters???

Please help .. thank you

 

[lemoncurry]

RC is heavily weighted at some schools. I would recommend taking the DAT again and get that RC score above 18 at the least. Wouldn't hurt to get that QR score above 18 as well. Pretty much any score under 18 can hurt you. I have a 17 in GC and I think it has hurt me, despite an AA of 22.

 

[aggie-master]

Hi everyone,
Should I start studying for DAT and retake it before April?? or will be ok for me to keep this score and just go and do masters???

Please help .. thank you

Your GPA is fine. Don't even consider doing a masters.

Your DAT isn't even bad, but if you don't get in then you need to focus on improving your DAT score.

I would start studying for it now and take it in late June if you haven't been accepted somewhere by then.

If you improve 2 points on every section, which is very possible with 4 months of studying, you will easily get in somewhere next year.

Also, I had trouble with the reading comprehension myself. I was scoring in the 14 to 16 range on practice tests and I found some tips on the DAT board here and was able to immediately start scoring an average of 21 after changing my approach to the test. I ended up with a 21 and was actually disappointed with my RC score that day. I can't remember what the tips were but I would search the DAT board and see what kind of tips you can find and maybe you'll find something that works for you too.

 

[Mike Smith]

Thanks for reply guys ... I was scoring about 18 on rc on all my practice tests (kaplan, achiever and top score) but my actual DAT rc was lil different. and thats why i kindda got nervous and scored low... I was scoring 23+ on pat , gc, bio .. so i know i can pull those scores up by few points .. and i m currently teaching SAT for princenton review so i can get their QR stuff too ..

Thanks once again .. I ma hit up the DAT books soon now ..i will find out about nova in few days so hope i get in and dont ever have to touch DAT books ..

 

[mut9ya]

RC is very important but I think TS is the most important. Some schools will overlook RC if you have a good TS score.
Good luck

 

[jigabodo]

You can always just apply to more schools and do it early. I think that'll increase your chances too.

 

[SanOnofre2002]

I think the 16 RC is definately going to cause automatic rejection at a fair amount of schools, but your overall package should have enabled you to get in somewhere. Were the schools you mentioned the only ones you applied to? With your stats I'd say apply to 20 minimum, to be safe. And submit those apps the same week the next cylce opens. Since you're only on 1 waitlist, you should assume you won't be getting in and start studying for the DAT again. I'd take it by May so it can go out with your new app and the adcoms won't be immediately soured on you from that old RC score. Don't get overconfident with the AA sections. You did good there before but have likely forgotten most of it.
To give you a little motivation, my overall GPA is the same as yours and my science is .1 less, and I have 8 acceptances. Difference ofcourse was the DAT. All scores >20 (except 19 QR). I also applied to a crapload of schools. Spending the bucks was worth the peace of mind though. Good luck!

 

[dr bojangles]

i hate to say it, but a DAT retake may need to be in your future.
good luck.

 

[golfer]

My brother has similar stats to the OP's. ~3.5-3.7 21TS, 19AA with two 16s in RC and QR. He was accepted to Louisville on Nov. 30th, to Oregon about 1-2 weeks ago and will probably be accepted to Midwestern as well (he received some 9 interviews so who knows who else will accept him). So it is doable with a 16 in RC. If you have the time take the test again. You might as well. It was my brother's 3rd time taking the test.

 

[Mike Smith]

Thanks everyone .. I am lil upset but I am getting ready to start studyin for the DATs .. I did apply to alot of schools this cycle.. about 28 .. but i took my test in sept so my appl was incomplete until mid oct .. may be thats why i only got 2 interviews .. but still have few schools left ..

gluck everyone

 

[SHC1984]

I have a 17 on RC and I am sure that is a reason why two schools didn't interview me, two waitlisted me etc etc...With your stats you can get into some easier to get into schools...the point is if you want alots of acceptances with plenty to choose from then I would recommend taking the DAT again with at least a 20 on each section, the people that are usually accepted to all the schools they apply to have that...

 

[eventualOMFS]

To those who suggested that RC is heavily weighted: WHERE? I got a 27 on RC, and need all of the help I can get in applying, so if you know of schools that reallllly like RC, please let me know!

Conversely, I got a 16 on the PAT. If anyone knows of schools that don't weigh the PAT heavily, please let me know that too.

My AA was 21, TS was 20. Thanks!

 

[SHC1984]

Case- Heavy on RC (I believe Harvard is too, but they have an AA average of 24.5!)

UNC- does not care about PAT that much. Knew people with 14 and 16 on PAT that got accepted...but if you aren't the absolute best at interviewing don't apply there...🙄

 

[jigabodo]

Case- Heavy on RC (I believe Harvard is too, but they have an AA average of 24.5!)

UNC- does not care about PAT that much. Knew people with 14 and 16 on PAT that got accepted...but if you aren't the absolute best at interviewing don't apply there...🙄

UoP really cares about PAT. I think UNLV weighs RC heavily also.

 

[golfer]

To those who suggested that RC is heavily weighted: WHERE? I got a 27 on RC, and need all of the help I can get in applying, so if you know of schools that reallllly like RC, please let me know!

Conversely, I got a 16 on the PAT. If anyone knows of schools that don't weigh the PAT heavily, please let me know that too.

My AA was 21, TS was 20. Thanks!

I think you in a better position now than if those two scores were reversed. In my own personal experience it seems like those of my friends with high RC scores are those that I consider the most intelligent. As for schools you will hear that UoP is big on PAT but some on here have down played that as well. I don't think that there are specific schools that make the RC a major consideration. You will hear well this school and that but there are plenty exceptions to each. I got a 19 on RC and got into several. Like I mentioned above my brother got a 16 on RC and he got into several....and I don't think you should worry yourself about the interview you have great stats. Just be yourself and people will like ya.

 

[eventualOMFS]

Thanks for the replies, it is a huge help. I've been struggling with whether to retake due to the 16 on the PAT.

Oh, and someone PM'd me asking where I'm from to suggest more schools. I'm from Vermont (so no state school). Anybody know schools that like New Englanders (aside from UConn)?