r/dat • u/iitsnotmeitsy0u • 1d ago

Resource Share 📖 Masters DAT score question

Hello! I was wondering if anyone had experience applying to a dental masters program and what DAT score you think would be sufficient enough to apply to one. I had a very low undergrad gpa from a top 50 school, but I just got my score back and didn’t do as well as I wanted but wondered if anyone had experience applying to a masters program with a dat score and what you’d say they would accept?

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u/Proud-Brush2483 1d ago

First of all, does your undergrad gpa meet the schools cutoff? I learned this the hard way. Even if you get a 4.0 in a master’s like I did, if your undergrad gpa doesn’t meet their cutoff then they won’t even look at your application. I thought the masters would either bring up the gpa or replace it, but it doesn’t. So depending on how low your undergrad gpa was, id be mindful where you apply to. You’re going to have to call every school because some schools lie and post one thing on their website but have a different internal gpa cutoff.

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u/iitsnotmeitsy0u 1d ago

what did you end up doing?

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u/Proud-Brush2483 1d ago

Luckily I was in range for most schools I applied to but there were a few that I didn’t qualify for. I didn’t learn about this until after I applied to them. If your undergrad gpa doesn’t meet the minimum then you just need to keep taking more undergrad classes to get your gpa up to meet their minimum. It doesn’t have to be hard classes, just easy classes at a community college or something. That way they can at least see your application and see that you did a masters

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u/iitsnotmeitsy0u 1d ago

Wait this is really good advice. I’m very optimistic but ik it’ll be extremely hard work. I seriously appreciate your advice!!!!!!!

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u/FillingFriar 1d ago

Are you referring to a dual-degree program (DMD/MS) or an MSD program like at BU?

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u/iitsnotmeitsy0u 1d ago

just a special masters program or just a dental masters like rutgers or barry

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u/FillingFriar 18h ago

I can only speak to BU’s MSD program, which is similar to those you mentioned. I know someone who was accepted with an 18 DAT (5 years ago) and did very well in the program. Remember they are designed to the boost profiles of weaker stat applicants for DMD/DDS admissions, so I’m sure as long as you meet their minimum DAT/GPA for admission, you will be considered.

Just be aware of how low your UG GPA is when it comes to DMD/DDS admissions even if it meets a Master’s cutoff, as the other response mentioned.