Worried about DAT scores

[dancingdent02]

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Hi everyone,
I just took the DAT about a week ago for the second time and am unsure if I have any chance at acceptance to dental school. After looking around here on the boards I've seen some amazing scores and am having some doubts about whether or not mine will be enough. My scores were:

PAT: 23
QR: 19
RC: 21
Bio: 18
Gen Chem: 20
Orgo: 18
TS: 18
AA: 19

Since I know that DAT scores are not everything, my overall gpa is 3.5 and science is 3.4. I already applied for the 2010 cycle through AADSAS about a week ago. I'm really sorry to bother you guys about this but it seems like everyone here really knows their stuff so I thought it would be a good idea to get your opinions/advice. Do I have any chance?? Thank you so much in advance. I really appreciate it! 🙂

 

[GiTsticker]

Your GPA and DATs are pretty very average as compared to most matriculates. This means you've got better stats than half of those that get accepted! But it really depends on the rest of your application also.

 

[g23armani]

I think you'll be fine. Solid scores, nothing below an 18, great PAT. You'll almost surely get into a dental school, not necessarily a top tiered school, however. Just apply early and to a bunch of schools. Good luck!

 

[nze82]

Not quite sure what you're so worried about! I think your scores are fine!

 

[4thMolar]

I agree with the previous posts. Your scores are fine and good enough to get you interviews at least. Although it would be nice to have a higher TS, the fact that you didn't get anything below an 18 is good. I would not worry about re-taking.

 

[crackdat]

Hi guys, i need some serious help and suggestions here. I just took my DAT today and got:
PAT: 18
RC:18
Total Science:18
Biology:19
G Chem: 17
Orgo: 16
QR:15
AA:17

I know these are average scores my GPA is science 3.2 and Overall 3.4. I have done poorly in my freshman and sophomore undergrad years but then got over 3.8+ GPA with 18 credit hours each semester for the next two years and have all A's in my upper level science courses. I have also done research in Clinical Exercise Physiology for a year and has over 350+ hours of shadowing a General Dentist. Also I have submitted my application on june 4rth this year and it is complete and has already been verified. I have great recommendation letter from my professors and the dentist. I have plenty of extra curricular activities and volunteer experiences. My question is where do I stand and what are my chances of getting into a Dental School. I have applied to 14 schools so far. Do you guys think it is necessary for me to re-take DAT in september and would it be too late? I am very much confused and in need of dire help! any good suggestions will be very much appreciated. Thank You....

 

[tsitneD]

Hi guys, i need some serious help and suggestions here. I just took my DAT today and got:
PAT: 18
RC:18
Total Science:18
Biology:19
G Chem: 17
Orgo: 16
QR:15
AA:17

I know these are average scores my GPA is science 3.2 and Overall 3.4. I have done poorly in my freshman and sophomore undergrad years but then got over 3.8+ GPA with 18 credit hours each semester for the next two years and have all A's in my upper level science courses. I have also done research in Clinical Exercise Physiology for a year and has over 350+ hours of shadowing a General Dentist. Also I have submitted my application on june 4rth this year and it is complete and has already been verified. I have great recommendation letter from my professors and the dentist. I have plenty of extra curricular activities and volunteer experiences. My question is where do I stand and what are my chances of getting into a Dental School. I have applied to 14 schools so far. Do you guys think it is necessary for me to re-take DAT in september and would it be too late? I am very much confused and in need of dire help! any good suggestions will be very much appreciated. Thank You....

you hijacked someone's thread..lol...new to this site...its ok. You might want to retake..continue your DAT study.

Good Luck!

 

[crackdat]

you hijacked someone's thread..lol...new to this site...its ok. You might want to retake..continue your DAT study.

Good Luck!

Haha..yea totally new to this site...So if i retake my dat that will be in late september. Dont you think that would be kind of too late?

 

[sfrice80]

Yeah totally agree with everyone, your right in the middle of the people who get accepted every year. You're consistent and believe me there are some amazing applicants on here, you're going to find the "cream of the crop" on this website but in reality, the applicant pool as a whole is not representative of this website. There is absolutely no doubt dental school is getting more and more competitive but I think you're in good shape! No worries and enjoy your summer!

 

[sfrice80]

Oh yeah and Crackdat....I would re-take, ride the scores you have now because you have no choice and then retake and get the scores to the schools ASAP and hopefully they take them into consideration early enough in this cycle.

 

[americanpierg]

Yeah totally agree with everyone, your right in the middle of the people who get accepted every year. You're consistent and believe me there are some amazing applicants on here, you're going to find the "cream of the crop" on this website but in reality, the applicant pool as a whole is not representative of this website. There is absolutely no doubt dental school is getting more and more competitive but I think you're in good shape! No worries and enjoy your summer!

Yup, you're the prototypical average applicant. If I were you, I wouldn't worry too much.

Just out of curiosity, which applicant would be in better shape?

3.8 and 17 AA
3.4 and 19 AA
3.0 and 23 AA

 

[failedmagician]

Yup, you're the prototypical average applicant. If I were you, I wouldn't worry too much.

Just out of curiosity, which applicant would be in better shape?

3.8 and 17 AA
3.4 and 19 AA
3.0 and 23 AA

I would like to be the 3.8 with a 17 personally. I think if you have a 17, you can always retake and go up. A 3.0 is not a good place to be in. A 3.4 is somewhat below average and hard to boost up if you have a lot of credits.

 

[GiTsticker]

Although a 3.8 with a 17AA is a easy situation to improve and thus would be the best situation to be in, I would feel more comfortable going into an interview with a 3.0 23AA rather than a 3.8 17AA. That's only if the grades went from low to high chronologically. Not only does it suggest that you will ace the NBDE part 1, but it's like you improved as a student over the four undergrad years and the high DAT score is a stamp confirming that fact.

 

[jay47]

Yup, you're the prototypical average applicant. If I were you, I wouldn't worry too much.

Just out of curiosity, which applicant would be in better shape?

3.8 and 17 AA
3.4 and 19 AA
3.0 and 23 AA

Interesting...This is a hard one!

I'd say all three applicants are just below the average chance at admissions, that is, they would likely get in somewhere, but probably not many schools. Sure, 3.8/17 is good gpa, but it would probably depend on individual DAT scores and PAT. With 3.4/19, this person is just below average gpa and average DAT, so probably depends on other factors like extracurriculars, essays, grade trends, and individual DAT scores.

WIth 3.0 and 23, you had better have an upward trend in grades (seen this one many a time) and no weak DAT scores. I'm sure that this person would get in somewhere where DAT is heavy handed, but most likely not many places.

 

[tsitneD]

Yup, you're the prototypical average applicant. If I were you, I wouldn't worry too much.

Just out of curiosity, which applicant would be in better shape?

3.8 and 17 AA
3.4 and 19 AA
3.0 and 23 AA

All three might have chances for interview and then it depends which school has more preference towards better GPA or AA. Also there are so many other things that take in application process such as interview, EC's, background, etc.

 

[nze82]

Hi guys, i need some serious help and suggestions here. I just took my DAT today and got:
PAT: 18
RC:18
Total Science:18
Biology:19
G Chem: 17
Orgo: 16
QR:15
AA:17

I know these are average scores my GPA is science 3.2 and Overall 3.4. I have done poorly in my freshman and sophomore undergrad years but then got over 3.8+ GPA with 18 credit hours each semester for the next two years and have all A's in my upper level science courses. I have also done research in Clinical Exercise Physiology for a year and has over 350+ hours of shadowing a General Dentist. Also I have submitted my application on june 4rth this year and it is complete and has already been verified. I have great recommendation letter from my professors and the dentist. I have plenty of extra curricular activities and volunteer experiences. My question is where do I stand and what are my chances of getting into a Dental School. I have applied to 14 schools so far. Do you guys think it is necessary for me to re-take DAT in september and would it be too late? I am very much confused and in need of dire help! any good suggestions will be very much appreciated. Thank You....

Don't mean to sound harsh, but you don't have a single score above 19, which makes you somewhat of a below average applicant. Your PAT, RC, OC, and QR scores are also low. Unfortunately, your 3.2 science GPA isn't going to improve any of this either. Although it's important to have strong LORs and lots of extra curricular activity, none of those will come to your rescue, when you're struggling with your sciences. You need to bring that AA at least up to 19, if not higher. Taking the DAT in September might be a bit late, but it's better than applying with low scores. Nevertheless, I would definitely retake if I was in your place. Otherwise, your chances seem pretty slim! Sorry...

P.S. Try putting up your own thread next time! We totally messed up the original poster's thread by commenting on your post.

 

[crackdat]

I cant seem to find any link where i can post a new thread through my account? help please!

 

[vlct0ria]

I cant seem to find any link where i can post a new thread through my account? help please!

Go back to the DAT discussions thread list...top left button says "New Thread"...click it!

 

[crackdat]

Thanks...it on the new thread now..

 

[DDStoBE1988]

hey... im kind of new at this. but i have a question about my DAT score.
Im looking into getting into Miami, Boston, and Marquette Dental schools
and I have
PAT 20
QR 14
RC 22
BIO 19
CHEM 19
Total Science: 19
Academic Average: 18

is my QR score going to hold me back or do i stand a good chance of getting into the dental schools i want with my scores and a 3.6 GPA?