Would you rather?

[jwan14]

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Have a high gpa (3.7+) with a low dat (18) or high dat (22+) with low sgpa (3.0-3.2). This is more hypothetical than anything. I'm just wondering if you had to choose then which one would you prefer?

 

[sjv]

High GPA/Low DAT

GPA opens more doors than DAT.

 

[tooth knockn]

3.0 w/ 22DAT

It shows more character .


I like all my B grades. And proud.

It's not easy sometimes, work, family, personal time, school time, study time, unexpected situations, and other of life's variables.

Endurance baby....

 

[jwan14]

Well I'm with you tooth knockn unless you're being sarcastic...that's basically my exact stats but I really was curious what everyone thought.

 

[tooth knockn]

Well I'm with you tooth knockn unless you're being sarcastic...that's basically my exact stats but I really was curious what everyone thought.

Not sarcastic on this one,


I'm very non-traditional.

Very few applicants like this..

Most applicants are young, fresh graduates and with out a lot of luggage.

I would say 70-80%

 

[jwan14]

I've read a few studies where they have shown that DAT scores are better indicators of how first year dental students do. Of course there will be many that disagree. I guess it just depends on the philosophy of the individual schools.

 

[tooth knockn]

I've read a few studies where they have shown that DAT scores are better indicators of how first year dental students do. Of course there will be many that disagree. I guess it just depends on the philosophy of the individual schools.

Really?

Do you have a link?

 

[tooth knockn]

Jwan, if I told you to not apply would you listen?


Probably not,

If you got dental in you then go for it...

Head up

 

[BrazilianRider]

I've read a few studies where they have shown that DAT scores are better indicators of how first year dental students do. Of course there will be many that disagree. I guess it just depends on the philosophy of the individual schools.

I've only seen things that said RC is the best indicator. The DAT as a whole is probably much less valuable than your GPA, which tends to point to someone's work ethics/ growth over time.

 

[flossiraptor863]

SDN doesn't give Extra Curriculars the credit that they deserve. As dental schools look for more well rounded students, they look for students who can do more than study. In my opinion, this question can't be answered without at least a glance at ECs.

I think a low GPA/high DAT/great ECs > high GPA/low DAT/few ECs any day. But without ECs into consideration, I think high GPA/low DAT is more representative that you can handle a Dent School workload.

I'm not an expert by any means but I think the question you're asking is too simple.

 

[jwan14]

Probably. I have a low gpa but I have good EC's and I'm confident. Dentistry is definitely what I'm going to do. If I don't get in this cycle I'll get in the next or the next. In the meantime I am raising my GPA and volunteering and playing soccer at a division 1 level. I'm married now so that adds to the pressure of being able to support my wife and future kids but I'm really not worried about it. I know I'll eventually get in sometime somewhere

 

[Psychodent]

Hi GPA, low DAT.

The GPA is an accumulation of years of work and study. The DAT is a single test score.

 

[jwan14]

One could argue that the DAT is the most recent indicator of one's ability to study and learn material. I know my GPA isn't representative of who I am now as a student...not at all. Of course I say that being the one with a low gpa but that's how I feel. I know for sure I can tackle dental school but it's just about convincing adcoms I can.

 

[flossiraptor863]

Ultimately you can see both combinations as somewhat equal. While GPA definitely shows a longer track record of studying, a high GPA with a low DAT may indicate that you never really retained what you learned.

 

[dbd]

The DAT is the great equalizer. It does raise questions if somebody with a high GPA (>3.9) only manages an 18, but scoring high, and I mean high (24+) would probably help give you a chance to overcome a lower GPA. Like mentioned above, a large discrepancy between your GPA and DAT may be indications of several things, so it's best to keep both as high as possible.

 

[jwan14]

Agreed dbd

 

[derbear]

I am one of those with a low GPA and a high DAT...but I would honestly WAY rather have a high GPA and low DAT. As muh as we like to predict what adcoms look at, time and time again stats show that a high GPA/low DAT trumps a low GPA/high DAT. Also keep in mind that it is easier to redo a DAT than raise a GPA.

 

[jwan14]

DAT is standardized across the board though. Two students, one with a 3.7 gpa went to a community college/small lesser known school and one with a 3.3 that went to a top 50 school known for it's difficulty. How can you truly compare? I have friends that went to the state schools of my state that have told me about some of their upper level bio courses that frankly seem like a walk in the park compared to mine. I know I'm stirring the pot and there's practically no science to what adcoms want. Just sayin...

 

[jwan14]

plus im biased with low gpa haha

 

[distressstudent]

DAT is standardized but it's not like a 3.7 at one school is the same as a 3.3 at another school just because both student got the same DAT score. I have a higher DAT than my classmates from the same uni but most of them have a significantly higher GPA than me. You have a huge range of combination of GPA and DAT. I personally don't think it will ever come down to Mcbob's 3.7/18 fighting out against your 3.2/22. Some schools look for academic competency while some school looks for academic excellence so it's hard to say. Not to mention that some school value GPA over DAT and others vice versa.

However, if we are talking broad broad data of just purely statically averages based on the frequency table that doc released... A 3.2 is more likely to be a deal breaker than an 18

 

[gn4]

In this particular scenario, I'd rather have a high GPA/low DAT. I may be biased because some parts of my DAT were pretty low and I had a high GPA and still got into dental school though.

 

[gn4]

Also, I think the 18 DAT is better than the 3.2 GPA