GPA Statistics

GPA & DAT Statistics

It’s always interesting to watch PreDental students talk about DAT and GPA averages. They never seem to be as high as many predental students like to make them out to be. Fortunately, the schools release them towards the end of every year for that years entering class.

Another important thing to remember is that they are just averages. --The statistical middle ground. Take a school with a 3.3 GPA average… Suppose someone comes in with a 3.8. That means that could have let a student in with a 2.8, or 5 students with a 3.2, or 2 students with a 3.1 and one with a 3.2, or any number of combinations (and still maintained that average).

All of the admissions officers we have talked to said that the numbers get you in the door to interview (the first important cut). They only interview students that they think can handle the curriculum. Some schools don’t even read your personal statement until the next stage. The second cut is based on those they consider academically qualified making an impression that separates them from others in the group. At this point, several additional factors go into making that lasting impression with only two of those being GPA and DAT scores.

This is not to say that we are in any way minimizing the importance of GPA’s or DAT scores. --The higher the better. Without a doubt, some schools blatantly chase the numbers. However, the biggest clump of entering GPA’s is between 3.2 and 3.4. The DAT clump is between 17 and 19 on both sections. You have a distinct edge if you come in above those numbers. If you are in that range (or especially if you are below that range) you need to find a way to stand out from the masses…

Here are some stats for the year 2000 entering years class…

Number of Schools with a GPA below 3.0:

Number of Schools with a GPA between 3.0 and 3.19:

Number of Schools with a GPA between 3.2 and 3.3:

Number of Schools with a GPA between 3.31 and 3.49:

Everyone Else

Number of Schools with a GPA 3.5 or above:

Number of Schools with a PAT below 17:

Number of Schools with a PAT between 17-19:

Everyone Else

Number of Schools with a PAT between 19-20:

Number of Schools with a PAT above 20:

Number of Schools with an Academic DAT below 17:

Number of Schools with an Academic DAT between 17-19:

Everyone else

Number of Schools with an Academic DAT between 19-20:

Number of Schools with an Academic DAT above 20:

For the most updated dental school admission statistics, we recommend the Ultimate Dental School Admission Guide. It is freshly updated every year with the most accurate statistics available.

"Several additional factors go into making a lasting impression, with only two of those being GPA and DAT scores."

GPA & DAT Statistics