How competitive of a Dental school applicant would I be?

[KL0012]

Hey everyone,

I just finished taking my DAT today as an incoming Junior in college and recorded the following scores:

PAT: 22
QR:19
RC: 23
BIO: 19
GC: 19
OC: 20
TS: 19
AA: 20

I currently have a 4.0 science and cumulative gpa (after sophomore year). My electives include being a volunteer dental assistant at a pediatric dental clinic, research assistant at a psychology/biology lab, 400 hours of volunteer experience (college), starting a program/club which takes trips to schools in the community to educate children about dental hygiene, etc.

While my GPA and extra curriculars are where I would like, I'm worried that my science scores/AA might keep my application from being less than ideal for top schools (UCLA, Upenn, U Pacific, etc.). I was just wondering if anyone knew how competitive of an applicant I would be at top schools or as an applicant overall.

Thanks so much everyone--
Cheers

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[FeralisExtremum]

Not too competitive at 'top schools' with DAT averages above your own, but still competitive at most schools given your GPA. Unless you're really intent on attending a specific school with a higher DAT average than your own, I don't think a retake is necessary.

 

[KL0012]

Not too competitive at 'top schools' with DAT averages above your own, but still competitive at most schools given your GPA. Unless you're really intent on attending a specific school with a higher DAT average than your own, I don't think a retake is necessary.

That's good to know, when I apply I was planning to apply to maybe 1 or 2 "top schools" but applying to more "middle" or "lower" schools, do you think this would be a good strategy or should I forget applying to higher schools at all? Thanks so much for answering!!

Cheers

 

[FeralisExtremum]

That's good to know, when I apply I was planning to apply to maybe 1 or 2 "top schools" but applying to more "middle" or "lower" schools, do you think this would be a good strategy or should I forget applying to higher schools at all? Thanks so much for answering!!

Cheers

I think that's a pretty good strategy. You can still apply to a few reach schools, just make sure you have other schools closer to your stats in the mix.

 

[DentalHopeful16679]

It seems to me you have all the right pieces to reach the top tier schools with a DAT retake so why not give it your all and get a 22 on your DAT? Best of luck!

 

[O Gaúcho]

An okay chance at a private school

 

[ncide]

Your DAT scores are middle of the road, maybe a little under the average (at my school anyway), but your GPA is good. You would get into some good programs, but highly competitive schools that have averages of AA/TS of 22AA-23AA are a reach for you. But this process is very unpredictable so nobody can say for sure.

You should have lots of interviews to choose from if you apply broadly.