[Rainman123]

Hey ,I really want to apply for Dentistry. I've just finished my exams this summer for my as-levels and I think 3/4 of the subjects went terribly due to me being lazy about revision,I have to admit that throughout the year I have been extremely lazy and not working up to standard at all. I've never been lazy at all about revision this has only occurred this year .

The results are not out for another two months however I'm certain that I did not get the results I need ( AAA-AAB) to get into dentistry,I'm really disappointed with myself for being so lazy and laid back about my work. I know for certain I can do so much better but only if I had another chance. I was just wondering would I be able to re-sit my as-levels again while doing my a-levels simultaneoulsy ? As I've heard that Uni's may still accept re-sits if they're within the 2 a-level years.

What universities would still consider re-takes of as-levels when I apply next year? or would I have to re-sit the whole year again? Where do I go from here ?I've already done 2-3 weeks work experience at the dentists,care-home and I'm going to arrange some with GP,hospital and various other places.I'm also planning on doing some charity work in India and a years worth of voluntary work in the local community . I'm currently doing D of E gold with involvement in football,badminton,first aid,cricket,youth council,sports coaching and various other activities
thank you ........any help and tips would be greatly appreciated
thanks

[oxymoronic]

(Original post by Rainman123)
Hey ,I really want to apply for Dentistry. I've just finished my exams this summer for my as-levels and I think 3/4 of the subjects went terribly due to me being lazy about revision,I have to admit that throughout the year I have been extremely lazy and not working up to standard at all. I've never been lazy at all about revision this has only occurred this year .

The results are not out for another two months however I'm certain that I did not get the results I need ( AAA-AAB) to get into dentistry,I'm really disappointed with myself for being so lazy and laid back about my work. I know for certain I can do so much better but only if I had another chance. I was just wondering would I be able to re-sit my as-levels again while doing my a-levels simultaneoulsy ? As I've heard that Uni's may still accept re-sits if they're within the 2 a-level years.

What universities would still consider re-takes of as-levels when I apply next year? or would I have to re-sit the whole year again? Where do I go from here ?I've already done 2-3 weeks work experience at the dentists,care-home and I'm going to arrange some with GP,hospital and various other places.I'm also planning on doing some charity work in India and a years worth of voluntary work in the local community . I'm currently doing D of E gold with involvement in football,badminton,first aid,cricket,youth council,sports coaching and various other activities
thank you ........any help and tips would be greatly appreciated
thanks

You are allowed to resit AS modules whilst doing your A2s, yes.
However universities would know about it as you have to declare it on your UCAS form then it would be up to them to decide whether to accept you. Remember that there will be lots of people who get the grades without a resit and in a tie break situation they may well opt for those people over you. You also need to ensure that you apply to universities who accept resits during the normal 2 year A level period - some universities for medicine expect candidates to achieve their grades in the first sitting, I don't know if it is the same for dentistry.

Your ECs are fine but remember that these count for very little other than 1 small paragraph at the end of your PS about other things you do and how they will make you a better dentist, so you won't have space to mention all of those things. Similarly with work experience its about quality over quantity - they want to see that you benefited from your experiences and learnt loads about dentistry and caring for patients so it's how you reflect on your experiences which count rather than the actual amount of experience you have had.

[Rainman123]

Thanks so does this mean I would have to apply next year now so I have to take a gap year ? not this coming september/october time

[F1 fanatic]

(Original post by Rainman123)
Thanks so does this mean I would have to apply next year now so I have to take a gap year ? not this coming september/october time

You're currently doing your AS levels, yes?
So if you want to start in Sept 2013 you need to apply before Oct 15th 2012. If you're resitting AS modules during your A2 year (as I think you are planning) then you will not need to take a gap year.

[emmaaa88]

I know someone who was applying for Dentistry and was disappointed by her AS levels, so she decided to take a gap year to apply post-A level for Dentistry, and retook her AS levels in January, as well as some in June alongside her A2s as she wasn't completely happy with all of her January resits. Then on the spur of the moment she decided to apply anyway after the UCAS deadline and I think, despite resits, she now has an offer to do dentistry at Cardiff and other places for 2012 entry.

Hope that's a useful anecdote

[Rainman123]

(Original post by F1 fanatic)
You're currently doing your AS levels, yes?
So if you want to start in Sept 2013 you need to apply before Oct 15th 2012. If you're resitting AS modules during your A2 year (as I think you are planning) then you will not need to take a gap year.

Does this mean I won't be made any offers immediately and will have to therefore go through clearing ?

[Rainman123]

do i also NEED to take the UKCAT this year?

[F1 fanatic]

(Original post by Rainman123)
Does this mean I won't be made any offers immediately and will have to therefore go through clearing ?

No, you can still be made offers based on your predicted grades, its just the universities will know that you are resitting your AS levels. That's not to say you couldn't end up in clearing, because that can happen to anyone, but you're not in any different position to anyone else in this regard.

[Rainman123]

(Original post by F1 fanatic)
No, you can still be made offers based on your predicted grades, its just the universities will know that you are resitting your AS levels. That's not to say you couldn't end up in clearing, because that can happen to anyone, but you're not in any different position to anyone else in this regard.

I see what you mean however I'm sure I won't be predicted anything close to aaa or aab because our school predicts us similar to what we get at as levels:/ where do I go from here ?

[F1 fanatic]

(Original post by Rainman123)
I see what you mean however I'm sure I won't be predicted anything close to aaa or aab because our school predicts us similar to what we get at as levels:/ where do I go from here ?

If you don't meet the entry requirements in terms of predicted grades then you're going to struggle. How you proceed really depends on how you see the relative importance of going to university in 2013 vs. studying Dentistry. It's worth saying that dentistry places in clearing are pretty much unheard of, so you can't rely on that route. You have four options as I see it:

1) Apply to Dentistry courses anyway, accepting that you may be rejected everywhere and end up taking a gap year.
2) Apply to Dentistry alongside some more conservative choices which you are confident you meet the entry requirements for, the downside being if you apply outside of dentistry you may not be able to convey your commitment/dedication as well, which may hinder your chances.
3) Give up on Dentistry and apply for something else.
4) Take a gap year anyway and apply for 2014 with your final grades (to Dentistry or something else depending what your grades allow)

Option 4) is probably a last resort so unless you don't want to pay the application fee this year you may as well stick an application in this year and see where it gets you. You always have the option to pull out and still take a gap year/reapply. For the other 3 options your best bet is to do your research - check carefully the university requirements and speak to your teachers about what they are prepared to predict you. Try to find at least 1 'safe' option which you like but which is either for Dentistry or similar enough not to significantly compromise your PS.