second gap year or biomed?

I am a gap year student and this year because of my bad ucat, I ended up doing BMAT and applied to Leeds for dentistry and four biomed courses in London. I currently received three offers including KCL and Barts.

Since I know that it's very unlikely for me to have done well in BMAT as it was a last-minute decision and didn't have much time to revise, I'm not sure if I should take a second gap year or apply as a postgraduate.

I've heard that postgraduate entry is A LOT more competitive than undergraduate but seeing my friends enjoying their uni lives + having asian parents with high expectations, I'm not sure what the right decision is to make.

Reply 1

TSR Hippocrates

10

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Reply 2

sarahlidchi

6

From my own perspective (studied Medicine at Edinburgh, graduated, was never sure it was the right decision) - if you're not entirely convinced, then doing a different course at a great university and having an enjoyable time isn't a bad idea. If you still are set on Medicine, then you will be more mature and in a better position to begin the degree.

Original post by i010100c

I am a gap year student and this year because of my bad ucat, I ended up doing BMAT and applied to Leeds for dentistry and four biomed courses in London. I currently received three offers including KCL and Barts.

Since I know that it's very unlikely for me to have done well in BMAT as it was a last-minute decision and didn't have much time to revise, I'm not sure if I should take a second gap year or apply as a postgraduate.

I've heard that postgraduate entry is A LOT more competitive than undergraduate but seeing my friends enjoying their uni lives + having asian parents with high expectations, I'm not sure what the right decision is to make.

Reply 3

Sameer Patel

7

I second this - doing the Biomedicine course is a great way into Medicine and gives you time to mature and decide on what is right for you.

Original post by sarahlidchi

From my own perspective (studied Medicine at Edinburgh, graduated, was never sure it was the right decision) - if you're not entirely convinced, then doing a different course at a great university and having an enjoyable time isn't a bad idea. If you still are set on Medicine, then you will be more mature and in a better position to begin the degree.

Reply 4

sleep_supremacy

Universities Forum Helper

20

Original post by i010100c

I am a gap year student and this year because of my bad ucat, I ended up doing BMAT and applied to Leeds for dentistry and four biomed courses in London. I currently received three offers including KCL and Barts.

Since I know that it's very unlikely for me to have done well in BMAT as it was a last-minute decision and didn't have much time to revise, I'm not sure if I should take a second gap year or apply as a postgraduate.

I've heard that postgraduate entry is A LOT more competitive than undergraduate but seeing my friends enjoying their uni lives + having asian parents with high expectations, I'm not sure what the right decision is to make.

Postgrad entry is definitely more competitive than undergrad entry. I believe the current success rate for GEM for KCL is 1:50 (for every 50 applicants, only one succeeds), but don't quote me on that :laugh:

About the gap year, that really depends on you. Do you enjoy the modules biomed offers? Do you have your heart set on doing this? Your uni life will be much more enjoyable if you're doing a course you're interested in, and it sounds like this is something important to you, so I would advise you to think hard about it.

If you think that biomed is interesting, then I don't see why you shouldn't go. However, if you aren't sure yet, or don't know what to do, don't rush things. The last thing you want is to hastily enter a course for the sake of 'uni life', only to end up hating the course a week later and dropping out by the end of the semester. Not only will that waste a lot of money, but it'll eat up a solid quarter of the year too. So don't rush these kinds of decisions! :biggrin:

Hope this helps! :smile:

Reply 5

Rock-Sophie

6

As a graduate, my advice to you is that if you have good grades, you should consider taking another gap year before pursuing your studies in different course. Get a job! Don’t feel like you have to pick another course because everyone is at university and you feel underachieved or your parents. It is important to remember that it only takes one offer to become a dentist, so it may be worth taking the extra time to secure the right opportunity for you. You don't want to find yourself committed to a three-year course at university only to realise that it is not the right fit for you in the future and regret it.

If you do decide to pursue a degree in Biomedical Science, it is important to check that it is accredited by the IBMS. This will ensure that you are eligible to practice as a biomedical scientist in a hospital setting after graduation. I would say look into pharmacy which is a better option compared to biomedical sciences. It’s much desirable in terms of future prospects.

In the event that you have good grades but did not perform well on the BMAT/UKAT, consider retaking the exam and practicing your interview skills. This can increase your chances of success in your application to dental school. Don’t give up! GOOD LUCK!!

Reply 6

Rock-Sophie

6

No it is not. Biomedical science degree isnt linked with medicine whatsoever. Any science degree for post grad medicine will do. Pharmacy, for example, is a highly sought-after profession with excellent career prospects. Important to weigh your options carefully, as committing to a three-year course of study only to find that it is not the right fit can be frustrating and costly. Don’t feel pressured. If you want to do dentistry/medicine give it another shot. You can set yourself up for success and build a career that you are passionate about.

Original post by Sameer Patel

I second this - doing the Biomedicine course is a great way into Medicine and gives you time to mature and decide on what is right for you.

50/50

Original post by i010100c

I am a gap year student and this year because of my bad ucat, I ended up doing BMAT and applied to Leeds for dentistry and four biomed courses in London. I currently received three offers including KCL and Barts.

Since I know that it's very unlikely for me to have done well in BMAT as it was a last-minute decision and didn't have much time to revise, I'm not sure if I should take a second gap year or apply as a postgraduate.

I've heard that postgraduate entry is A LOT more competitive than undergraduate but seeing my friends enjoying their uni lives + having asian parents with high expectations, I'm not sure what the right decision is to make.

this is a late response but i’m in sort of similar situation. i’m not a gap year but i’ve currently got no dentistry offers (still waiting to hear back from kings) but i went to the bioscience offer holder day today at kings for pharmacology and i think it’d be a good opportunity! although it’s quite different to dentistry doing biomed could be a good opportunity for u to see what ur really interested in. if ur still passionate about dentistry by the end of ur biomed course u still have the option to apply for grad entry dentistry and undergrad dentistry.

second gap year or biomed?

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