[V909]

Hi everyone
I just wanted to ask some questions. I am only in year 11 but I want to make ensure I have the best chance of getting into the best dentistry universities.
I wanted to know
1)How important is the interview? I get extremely nervous and find it even hard to structure sentences in these conditions! which isn't my normal nature. I am envious of the people who can speak so fluenty and seem more passionate than myself!
2)How does 5a*s and 5as sound?
3) What is kcl interested in? - extra curiccular, work experience, grades?
Thanks!
4) Is work experience abroad in developing countries very beneficial?

[BackDoorEntry]

(Original post by V909)
1)How important is the interview? I get extremely nervous and find it even hard to structure sentences in these conditions! which isn't my normal nature. I am envious of the people who can speak so fluenty and seem more passionate than myself!
2)How does 5a*s and 5as sound?
3) What is kcl interested in? - extra curiccular, work experience, grades?
Thanks!
4) Is work experience abroad in developing countries very beneficial?

1) Important enough that if you don't do well in it, you won't get an offer. (IOW the interview is crucial).

2) Better than what I got.

3) Everything, but when I went there they said they are going to stop focusing on extra curriculars and manual dexterity..

4) Just as beneficial as experience anywhere else

[V909]

(Original post by BackDoorEntry)
1) Important enough that if you don't do well in it, you won't get an offer. (IOW the interview is crucial).

2) Better than what I got.

3) Everything, but when I went there they said they are going to stop focusing on extra curriculars and manual dexterity..

4) Just as beneficial as experience anywhere else

Thanks for your answers!
How long did it take you to prepare for your interview? I'm not very well spoken but am passionate!
Are you at kcl now? Whats dentistry like? I'm quite interested in it but haven't done any work experience yet. But i am interested in the aspects of boosting someones confidence by fixing smile. Would you say that is a viable reason?
Oh really? A lot of people I study with have countless musical and sporting acheivements. My aim now is to join a sporting team,calligraphy or some sort of working with hands and get lots of work experience. Where did you do your work experience?
Thanks

[Kartace]

(Original post by V909)
Thanks for your answers!
How long did it take you to prepare for your interview? I'm not very well spoken but am passionate!
Are you at kcl now? Whats dentistry like? I'm quite interested in it but haven't done any work experience yet. But i am interested in the aspects of boosting someones confidence by fixing smile. Would you say that is a viable reason?
Oh really? A lot of people I study with have countless musical and sporting acheivements. My aim now is to join a sporting team,calligraphy or some sort of working with hands and get lots of work experience. Where did you do your work experience?
Thanks

He's at Bristol. I would say the interview is THE most important aspect of your application other than entry requirements. After all its how you come across and your interpersonal skills which will make you a good dentist. Not your grades. Having said that, you will probably change and develop in sixth form. Most people do and you may well find that you become more confident and better at those sort of situations. But perhaps it might be worth trying to work on it with a teacher or something?

GCSE grades = fine, they're better than what i got.

Work experience, very important, get lots and plenty of variety if you can. Hospitals, GDP, ortho, dental labs. Whatever. Try to do block weeks and if you can, try and set up a longer term placement where you perhaps go once a week for a few months or something. If you can do it then it's great for showing commitment.

KCL are famed for GCSEs and UKCAT. I've never applied there so personally i wouldn't know. But that IS the steryotype if you will. But like all of the dental unis, you need to try and cover all the bases. Manual dexterity, Voluntary work, Work ex, a good personal statement and UKCAT. A good interview and a well balanced and varied set of interests. Some interviewers like to imagine you as their dentist, and ask themselves if they would feel comfortable.

I took about 2 weeks of solid prep for my interviews...as that was my notice period from the email till the interview. But you should try to read up on dental things and take an active interest when you're on work ex.
That is a great way to prepare. Bring a notepad with you and then you can revise from that when you go to your interviews.

Sporting and musical achievements are great. If you can work on those thats great. If you can't/don't want to. Then don't let it get to you, its not that big oif a deal, there are other more important aspects of the application process.

I hope i haven't jumped in on someone elses question, but i was going to reply anyway. If you need any advice, send me a message or something yeah

[BackDoorEntry]

(Original post by V909)
Thanks for your answers!
How long did it take you to prepare for your interview? I'm not very well spoken but am passionate!
Are you at kcl now? Whats dentistry like? I'm quite interested in it but haven't done any work experience yet. But i am interested in the aspects of boosting someones confidence by fixing smile. Would you say that is a viable reason?
Oh really? A lot of people I study with have countless musical and sporting acheivements. My aim now is to join a sporting team,calligraphy or some sort of working with hands and get lots of work experience. Where did you do your work experience?
Thanks

As kartace said I'm at bristol, I didn't like kings enough to firm it.

The answer to most of these questions will come to you naturally when you're getting ready to apply, its a process of self discovery. I didn't even want to do dentistry at first but after my experience at an orthodontist and a few general practices, I was sold! But yes dentistry is fun (after your pre clinical year, of course ) and its well worth the trouble the UKCAT and interview put you through lol

[premolar]

(Original post by BackDoorEntry)
1) Important enough that if you don't do well in it, you won't get an offer. (IOW the interview is crucial).

2) Better than what I got.

3) Everything, but when I went there they said they are going to stop focusing on extra curriculars and manual dexterity..

4) Just as beneficial as experience anywhere else

Did they say what they are going to start focusing on?

[aqua05]

(Original post by V909)
Hi everyone
I just wanted to ask some questions. I am only in year 11 but I want to make ensure I have the best chance of getting into the best dentistry universities.
I wanted to know
1)How important is the interview? I get extremely nervous and find it even hard to structure sentences in these conditions! which isn't my normal nature. I am envious of the people who can speak so fluenty and seem more passionate than myself!
2)How does 5a*s and 5as sound?
3) What is kcl interested in? - extra curiccular, work experience, grades?
Thanks!
4) Is work experience abroad in developing countries very beneficial?

Woow., you've already decided... well I decided like end of year 12 that I wanted to study dentistry..

Interview is the most important part of the application.. only luck ones get interviews tbh.. as this course is extremely competitive.... don't worry about the interview at the moment.. concentrate on your grades on your grades, voluntary work, charity...etc.. in order to strengthen your application.. it is very important to think & do all these stuff before your application..

5A* 5As is amazing.. I had 3 A* & got 2 offers.. so that looks perfect to me..

Im not exactly sure what kcl looks for.. but i know they stress alot of gcses and ukcat.. they really like A*s... its an amazing uni ...:-)

I hear its very hard to get work experience for dentistry in uk.. but work experience is work experience.. its all about what you learn from it not where you do..however.. if get an opportunity of going abroad for it..grab the chance:-) sounds cooooool to me ..make sure you get it from various fields in dentistry eg max fax, private clinic, hospital dentistry, paedraetic dentist..etc.. units like that alot


Good luck:-)

[racheatworld]

1) Crucial. You can get an interview with good grades and a good UKCAT at some Universities (which is why at one of my interviews there was a Medical applicant with a Medical PS who had gotten an interview based on grades and UKCAT). However, you fail the interview, you don't get an offer. Simple.

2) Sufficient for most Universities. Don't worry about them.

3) KCL - Excellent GCSEs and high UKCAT. I was interviewed on the 1st day with 100% A* and 730 UKCAT. At interview, this is when they look at work experience, extra curriculars. You are more likely to get an interview based on grades and UKCAT, then you will get the offer if you can talk well about work experience, extra curriculars, manual dexterity, skills for a Dentist etc. at interview.

4) Yes it will be, but remember the whole point of work experience is to gain an understanding of Dentistry in the UK and the NHS, so work experience abroad wouldn't be sufficient on its own.

[bigbottle]

(Original post by racheatworld)
1) Crucial. You can get an interview with good grades and a good UKCAT at some Universities (which is why at one of my interviews there was a Medical applicant with a Medical PS who had gotten an interview based on grades and UKCAT). However, you fail the interview, you don't get an offer. Simple.

2) Sufficient for most Universities. Don't worry about them.

3) KCL - Excellent GCSEs and high UKCAT. I was interviewed on the 1st day with 100% A* and 730 UKCAT. At interview, this is when they look at work experience, extra curriculars. You are more likely to get an interview based on grades and UKCAT, then you will get the offer if you can talk well about work experience, extra curriculars, manual dexterity, skills for a Dentist etc. at interview.

4) Yes it will be, but remember the whole point of work experience is to gain an understanding of Dentistry in the UK and the NHS, so work experience abroad wouldn't be sufficient on its own.

So they don't even look at your PS before the interview?

[racheatworld]

(Original post by bigbottle)
So they don't even look at your PS before the interview?

1 Uni didn't seem to. Most do.

[mdr1993]

(Original post by bigbottle)
So they don't even look at your PS before the interview?

Some unis use a sort of double blind method; one set of people will see/judge only your PS, and the interviewers will judge only on your answers at the interview.

[bigbottle]

(Original post by mdr1993)
Some unis use a sort of double blind method; one set of people will see/judge only your PS, and the interviewers will judge only on your answers at the interview.

KCL use that I think.

[hopingtobeadentist]

(Original post by Kartace)
He's at Bristol. I would say the interview is THE most important aspect of your application other than entry requirements. After all its how you come across and your interpersonal skills which will make you a good dentist. Not your grades. Having said that, you will probably change and develop in sixth form. Most people do and you may well find that you become more confident and better at those sort of situations. But perhaps it might be worth trying to work on it with a teacher or something?

GCSE grades = fine, they're better than what i got.

Work experience, very important, get lots and plenty of variety if you can. Hospitals, GDP, ortho, dental labs. Whatever. Try to do block weeks and if you can, try and set up a longer term placement where you perhaps go once a week for a few months or something. If you can do it then it's great for showing commitment.

KCL are famed for GCSEs and UKCAT. I've never applied there so personally i wouldn't know. But that IS the steryotype if you will. But like all of the dental unis, you need to try and cover all the bases. Manual dexterity, Voluntary work, Work ex, a good personal statement and UKCAT. A good interview and a well balanced and varied set of interests. Some interviewers like to imagine you as their dentist, and ask themselves if they would feel comfortable.

I took about 2 weeks of solid prep for my interviews...as that was my notice period from the email till the interview. But you should try to read up on dental things and take an active interest when you're on work ex.
That is a great way to prepare. Bring a notepad with you and then you can revise from that when you go to your interviews.

Sporting and musical achievements are great. If you can work on those thats great. If you can't/don't want to. Then don't let it get to you, its not that big oif a deal, there are other more important aspects of the application process.

I hope i haven't jumped in on someone elses question, but i was going to reply anyway. If you need any advice, send me a message or something yeah

What did you get for GCSE's, A-Levels and work experience. Oh and also UKCAT?

[Kartace]

(Original post by hopingtobeadentist)
What did you get for GCSE's, A-Levels and work experience. Oh and also UKCAT?

GCSEs
A*A*AAAAAABBC

A levels
A*A*AA & Welsh Baccalaureate

Work Ex
6 months nhs/private practise, 1 week ortho, 1 week shadowing surgical specialists in a hospital, 1 week in london shadowing a padodontic consultant in a hospital, 1 week dental lab, 1 week pharmacy, 2 days special care dentistry, 2 days radiography, worked as a dental nurse in a private clinic, 6 months volunteering in a special needs gym club, volunteering at a care home

UKCAT
624

UCAS points
685

So as you can see, you don't need amazing UKCAT/GCSEs in some cases Best of luck, hope this has cheered you up a little bit!!

[hopingtobeadentist]

(Original post by Kartace)
GCSEs
A*A*AAAAAABBC

A levels
A*A*AA & Welsh Baccalaureate

Work Ex
6 months nhs/private practise, 1 week ortho, 1 week shadowing surgical specialists in a hospital, 1 week in london shadowing a padodontic consultant in a hospital, 1 week dental lab, 1 week pharmacy, 2 days special care dentistry, 2 days radiography, worked as a dental nurse in a private clinic, 6 months volunteering in a special needs gym club, volunteering at a care home

UKCAT
624

UCAS points
685

So as you can see, you don't need amazing UKCAT/GCSEs in some cases Best of luck, hope this has cheered you up a little bit!!

Yes it did! But you've got extremely good A-Levels! And what subjects did you study at A-Levels, what is UKCAS and in what subjects did you get them GCSE results in?

[Kartace]

(Original post by hopingtobeadentist)
Yes it did! But you've got extremely good A-Levels! And what subjects did you study at A-Levels, what is UKCAS and in what subjects did you get them GCSE results in?

At a level
Chem-A
Biology-A*
Music-A*
Business-A

I didn't write "UKCAS" anywhere, but UCAS points are the tariff that you get from different qualifications, including your a levels, eg, an A* at A level is worth 140 pts A=120pts etc. But it takes into account things like practical and theory musical examinations. Barts and the london use it as part of their selection process, so i put it on for the sake of completeness.

GCSEs
DT - A
RE - A*
Business - A*
Welsh - A
Maths - B
Science - A
Additional science - A
ICT - B
German - C
English Language - A
English Literature - A

[hopingtobeadentist]

(Original post by Kartace)
At a level
Chem-A
Biology-A*
Music-A*
Business-A

I didn't write "UKCAS" anywhere, but UCAS points are the tariff that you get from different qualifications, including your a levels, eg, an A* at A level is worth 140 pts A=120pts etc. But it takes into account things like practical and theory musical examinations. Barts and the london use it as part of their selection process, so i put it on for the sake of completeness.

GCSEs
DT - A
RE - A*
Business - A*
Welsh - A
Maths - B
Science - A
Additional science - A
ICT - B
German - C
English Language - A
English Literature - A

Sorry lool, I meant UCAS

[mdr1993]

(Original post by bigbottle)
KCL use that I think.

I knew Glasgow did it for definite and I have a feeling that they copied it, and most of the admissions process, from Kings.

[Link96ra]

Doesn't KCL focus more on a levels ,ukat and work experience rather than GCSE's?
Now im worried because im not going to get a lot off a*'s two at the max

[Link96ra]

(Original post by racheatworld)
1) Crucial. You can get an interview with good grades and a good UKCAT at some Universities (which is why at one of my interviews there was a Medical applicant with a Medical PS who had gotten an interview based on grades and UKCAT). However, you fail the interview, you don't get an offer. Simple.

2) Sufficient for most Universities. Don't worry about them.

3) KCL - Excellent GCSEs and high UKCAT. I was interviewed on the 1st day with 100% A* and 730 UKCAT. At interview, this is when they look at work experience, extra curriculars. You are more likely to get an interview based on grades and UKCAT, then you will get the offer if you can talk well about work experience, extra curriculars, manual dexterity, skills for a Dentist etc. at interview.

4) Yes it will be, but remember the whole point of work experience is to gain an understanding of Dentistry in the UK and the NHS, so work experience abroad wouldn't be sufficient on its own.

Doesn't KCL focus more on a levels ,ukat and work experience rather than GCSE's?
Now im worried because im not going to get a lot off a*'s two at the max