Master 30 Columbia Dental School interview questions covering clinical judgment, patient care philosophy, and academic rigor.
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Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
Members of the Admissions Committee often use the DAT to predict a student's potential success or failure in the school's curriculum. DAT (Dental Admission Test) scores are between 1-30, with 30 being the highest possible mark. The DAT scores students on Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Reasoning, Biology, General Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry. Your overall score is calculated from your total score in all five categories and then rounded to the nearest average.
Looking at national DAT averages, a score of 17-18 is generally considered average (the national average is roughly 19). A Dental Admission Test score of 19-20 is good, and a score of 22 is considered high. The Admissions Committee at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine wants to know your DAT score and how you feel about your score. Keep your answer straightforward and concise while discussing your DAT experience with the Admissions Committee.

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I scored 22 in my DAT, which landed me in the 98th percentile for DAT scoring. I was particularly happy with my general chemistry subscore of 25. I found this subject most challenging in my undergrad courses, and I worked especially hard to succeed in this topic. I am thrilled with my overall DAT score since I studied hard and was rewarded for my diligence."

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Written by Rachelle Enns
30 Questions & Answers • Columbia University College of Dental Medicine

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