The Student Room Group

Reapplying- Opting for Dentistry instead of Medicine

( SORRY FOR THE LONG POST! Tried to fit in everything...)
Hey, Im a student taking A2 levels right now- I applied for Medicine in october last year for the 2012 uni places, to these 4 universities and got rejected from all of them:
KCL
QMUL
St Georges
Imperial
And also to QMUL for Psychology as a back up course. ( I got an offer for this, AAB )

Firstly, I have to tell you I'm an international student. So I didn't take GCSE, I took O lvls. My o lvl grades weren't that fantastic,
>3As and 3Bs I think.
But my AS grades were
>3As, one C and the predicted A2 grades were 2 or 3 A*s , and 2 As.
My UKCAT average was around 650-670 ( I don't have the paper with me right now :frown: ... )

I admit I wasn't able to produce a lot of work experience in my personal statement as I entered into a school into the UK right smack in the middle of the AS term, so everything was very rushed and I had to catch with the syllabus in half the time!

I just heard about 2 weeks ago from the last university, QMUL that I was rejected from medicine, so basically these are the reasons each university gave.

KCL - rejected due to increased competition for places. ( they did say I met entry requirements)
QMUL - Increased competition for places.
Imperial - Didnt state why, but I think it's due to my BMAT being not up to scratch
St Georges- Rejected most likely because they wanted an A1 in o-lvl english and I got a B2.

The KCL and QMUL rejections hurt the most as they were the universities I wanted to go to the most.
So after a few days of utter depression, I looked at my choices-

1) take up psychology and then apply again as a graduate to medicine ( Just so you know, i have done TONS of thinking about my future. I have 2 sisters doing dentistry in Kings. and somehow, I feel that Dentistry should have been the choice instead. Not that it changes the competition or requirements. My parents also want me to do dentistry. So that's why I'm thinking of reapplying to Dentistry instead.)

2) Take a gap year after making sure i CLINCH the As in my A2 levels, and using it fully with volunteer work, work experience, part - timing, basically everything i can to have a good base for a PS. Then reapply to the UK for med. ( again, I am thinking of applying to Dentistry instead. )

I have decided, after a lot of research and advice from fellow students and contacts to take up option 2.

I did email the two universities, KCL and QMUL to inquire about more details of my rejection, so as to know where I can improve. QMUL was pretty vague, just stating that the reason was in the UCAS track and that was all they could tell. :frown:
KCL was more descriptive, saying that whilst it could not give a detailed statement about my rejection, it did give me a detailed description of the selection process and wished me luck in my application to other universities.

So now, I would really like advice, will there be any bias against me trying to reapply for dentistry instead of medicine? and to the same universities? ( I want to reapply for Dentistry at KCL, QMUL and 2 other different choices. )
(edited 12 years ago)
Reply 1
KCL won't care if you applied for Medicine in the previous year and are now applying for Dentistry.

What were the reasons for changing from Medicine to Dentistry in such a short space of time? If it's because you think it's easier to get in, I'll warn you beforehand that you will be disappointed.
(edited 12 years ago)
Original post by box-plot
KCL won't care if you applied for Medicine in the previous year and are now applying for Dentistry.

What were the reasons for changing from Medicine to Dentistry in such a short space of time? If it's because you think it's easier to get in, I'll warn you beforehand that you will be disappointed.


I understand that dentistry is as tough to get as medicine- I saw the strain on my 2 sisters before they managed to get into dentistry.
The reason I am looking towards dentistry is because firstly that my dad's dream is for the children to open up a sort of family clinic- with each of his kids specialising in a different area of dentistry. I wanted to pursue a medical career, but to be honest I was quite immature in my thinking. Maybe it was a hint of rebellion, not that I'm the rebellious sort but just that I wanted stuff to be my choice. but after the whole rejection event, I kind of see the point my dad is trying to tell me. for example, in dentistry you have sort of more independence over your life, and have more time to spend with your family. Also, they seem to be more in demand in my home country- I won't have much difficulty getting a job. there are a lot more other factors I weighed in, to come to the conclusion.

Is that so? :smile: I'm glad, cos KCL is my first choice.
Reply 3
Original post by PawprintsOnPaper
I understand that dentistry is as tough to get as medicine- I saw the strain on my 2 sisters before they managed to get into dentistry.
The reason I am looking towards dentistry is because firstly that my dad's dream is for the children to open up a sort of family clinic- with each of his kids specialising in a different area of dentistry. I wanted to pursue a medical career, but to be honest I was quite immature in my thinking. Maybe it was a hint of rebellion, not that I'm the rebellious sort but just that I wanted stuff to be my choice. but after the whole rejection event, I kind of see the point my dad is trying to tell me. for example, in dentistry you have sort of more independence over your life, and have more time to spend with your family. Also, they seem to be more in demand in my home country- I won't have much difficulty getting a job. there are a lot more other factors I weighed in, to come to the conclusion.

Is that so? :smile: I'm glad, cos KCL is my first choice.


It seems like you're doing it to please your Dad, rather than having a genuine interest in the field. Ah well, it's your choice at the end of the day and I'm sure whatever you do, you're doing it with your best interests at heart. Good luck with the application (you're going to be my rival :colone:).
Original post by box-plot
It seems like you're doing it to please your Dad, rather than having a genuine interest in the field. Ah well, it's your choice at the end of the day and I'm sure whatever you do, you're doing it with your best interests at heart. Good luck with the application (you're going to be my rival :colone:).


To be honest :P Actually due to my dad's influence and my sisters being quite far in their dentistry course it did pique a little interest in the course. But I liked psychiatry- hence then I decided I'd go for med instead. :smile:

Thanks for the wishes. And you're applying to dentistry for the 2013 year too? :biggrin:
Will it be your first time or reapplication?
Reply 5
Original post by PawprintsOnPaper
To be honest :P Actually due to my dad's influence and my sisters being quite far in their dentistry course it did pique a little interest in the course. But I liked psychiatry- hence then I decided I'd go for med instead. :smile:

Thanks for the wishes. And you're applying to dentistry for the 2013 year too? :biggrin:
Will it be your first time or reapplication?


I'll be reapplying.
Original post by box-plot
I'll be reapplying.


Ouuh...Best of luck to you too :smile: Use the gap year wisely!
Reply 7
Original post by PawprintsOnPaper
Ouuh...Best of luck to you too :smile: Use the gap year wisely!


Don't worry, I will. :biggrin:
Best of luck to you too. :wink:
Original post by PawprintsOnPaper
x


Hi :smile:

Most importantly you should only consider dentistry if you really want to, it's a fascinating practice but it's not for everyone, the fact that your sisters are doing it and that your dad would like you to do it should really have no effect on what you do, what's most important is you do what you love (could be anything, Fine Art for example!).

I see you had been considering Psychiatry as a specialism, I'm very sorry you didn't manage to secure an offer for med school, however try not to be despondent, if it's what you want to do try and bring your application up, request feedback and act upon it.

Your dad will be most happy if you are happy, thus you should do what makes you happy, you'll be much better at it! All the best if you decide dentistry is for you, but I would reconsider all my options if I were you. If you decide to apply for dentistry, the fact you previously applied for medicine would have no effect I would imagine, infact it could be an interesting interview topic.

Good luck :smile:
Reply 9
Well I applied to Medicine last year and got 4 rejections and this year I applied to Dentistry and have an offer from QMUL. Although all my choices this year were different to choices last year, so none of them knew I was a previous medical applicant. Generally I wouldn't think it'd be a problem at all, and the two other universities will have no idea what you applied for last year (you don't disclose this info on UCAS, infact at 2 of my interviews they didnt even know I had applied to anything at all previously, and they asked me if I had taken a voluntary gap year)

Wise decision btw :wink: dentistry ftw
(edited 12 years ago)
Reply 10
Original post by bertstare
Well I applied to Medicine last year and got 4 rejections and this year I applied to Dentistry and have an offer from QMUL. Although all my choices this year were different to choices last year, so none of them knew I was a previous medical applicant. Generally I wouldn't think it'd be a problem at all, and the two other universities will have no idea what you applied for last year (you don't disclose this info on UCAS, infact at 2 of my interviews they didnt even know I had applied to anything at all previously, and they asked me if I had taken a voluntary gap year)

Wise decision btw :wink: dentistry ftw


bertstare, out of interest... what made you apply for Dentistry the second time around instead of re-applying for Medicine?
Reply 11
Dentistry is still hugely competitive, I hope for your sake you aren't just applying because you think you'll get offers, cause if they detect you don't have interest in it, I can tell you right now, you won't.
Original post by bertstare
Well I applied to Medicine last year and got 4 rejections and this year I applied to Dentistry and have an offer from QMUL. Although all my choices this year were different to choices last year, so none of them knew I was a previous medical applicant. Generally I wouldn't think it'd be a problem at all, and the two other universities will have no idea what you applied for last year (you don't disclose this info on UCAS, infact at 2 of my interviews they didnt even know I had applied to anything at all previously, and they asked me if I had taken a voluntary gap year)

Wise decision btw :wink: dentistry ftw


WOW your words have given me so much hope. :smile: I see... May I know, what did you reply to the voluntary gap year question?
Original post by joshgoldman
Dentistry is still hugely competitive, I hope for your sake you aren't just applying because you think you'll get offers, cause if they detect you don't have interest in it, I can tell you right now, you won't.


I thank you for your concern. I do realise that if I take up a course that I have no interest in, I might get bored and drop it halfway, or end up in a job I simply hate.
But I can rest assure you I do like dentistry. :smile:
Anyone have any idea of applicant: offer ratios for dentistry in general, or for any specific universities?
Reply 15
Original post by NutterFrutter
Anyone have any idea of applicant: offer ratios for dentistry in general, or for any specific universities?


I the liverpool interview they quoted 17 : 1 for places. But i think most are around 14/15 : 1, in short.... loads more applicants than places.

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