Here goes.
I’m a mature student looking to study dentistry in September 2017. I’m a 30 year old guy who has worked in retail since I was 17 and currently an assistant manager of a small store, I left school after my AS-Levels (I did badly, three ‘D’ grades) and obviously didn’t complete the full A-Level. I just wanted to get out in the world and start earning money, which I have done and slowly worked my way up. The thing is, I’m bored to death of it. I want something challenging and a whole new career, and have always had a curiosity with dentistry. At GCSE I achieved 4 A grades, 3 B grades and 4 C grades.
So, I’m taking the plunge and I want to study dentistry. The easy part was deciding, the hard part is getting there.
I started an Access to Healthcare Professions HE diploma through the Distance Learning Centre back in January and it’s going completely fine, no problems. I am studying 45 graded credits in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. I have read on most universities’ websites that accept Access courses, that I need to achieve a distinction in the majority of those credits - again, it’s achievable. I need to take the UKCAT test later this year too as well as gaining placements/work experience in dental surgeries.
I’m aware that dentistry and medicine is SUPER competitive, something like 1 place for every 12 applicants.
What I’m also concerned about is the following:
- Will having achieved poor AS Levels (all ‘D’ grades) 13 years ago affect/hinder my chances?
- Will having dropped out and not completed my A-Levels intentionally 13 years ago affect/hinder my chances?
- I never achieved higher than a C grade for any science or maths subjects during school (GCSE/AS), but studying a Level 3/Access course primarily in sciences - will this affect my chances?
- Am I wasting my time?
Either way I’m enjoying this new crazy chapter in my life. I know my chances are slim, but you’ve got to be in it to win it. God knows how I’ll stand up next to all of the really keen, super smart high school kids with 3 A* A-Levels in science subjects. My biggest concern is that I fail to be offered a place for any of my choices and am left with no other options - I don’t want to enter clearing and complete a degree in something I have no interest in.