Is dentistry as a mature student unrealistic?
Sorry I know the answer is probably going to not be the one I want but I would just like anyone to realistically tell me so I can force myself to swallow this hard pill.
Is getting into a good dentistry school as a mature student who had not good GCSEs (5 in English, 6 in Math - only grade 5 and 6s that where predicted given during covid, so I feel like that also looks bad) and would need to resist their A-Levels unrealistic?
Loosely, or more I guess naively I dreamt of re-siting A-Levels and getting amazing grade in science subjects, finishing a dental assistant apprenticeship, achieving good UCAT score and then getting into like UoB, Queen, KCL, etc.
But looking at the entry requirements on like all of the dental schools it looks as though I am foolish in my thinking as it looks like every school requires top GCSEs and does not accept resists for either GCSEs or A-Levels. They do not mention mature students either so I feel like that’s a signal I should take.
Please give it to me straight if this is a pathway that cannot be walked for me. As much as this dream has given me hope for being such a failure in life, it would be selfish of me to continue going down a useless path that would end in sadness.
If there is an off-chance/alternative pathway that has worked for anyone in a similar situation, I would really appreciate hearing that too if that’s okay.
Thank you in advance.
Is getting into a good dentistry school as a mature student who had not good GCSEs (5 in English, 6 in Math - only grade 5 and 6s that where predicted given during covid, so I feel like that also looks bad) and would need to resist their A-Levels unrealistic?
Loosely, or more I guess naively I dreamt of re-siting A-Levels and getting amazing grade in science subjects, finishing a dental assistant apprenticeship, achieving good UCAT score and then getting into like UoB, Queen, KCL, etc.
But looking at the entry requirements on like all of the dental schools it looks as though I am foolish in my thinking as it looks like every school requires top GCSEs and does not accept resists for either GCSEs or A-Levels. They do not mention mature students either so I feel like that’s a signal I should take.
Please give it to me straight if this is a pathway that cannot be walked for me. As much as this dream has given me hope for being such a failure in life, it would be selfish of me to continue going down a useless path that would end in sadness.
If there is an off-chance/alternative pathway that has worked for anyone in a similar situation, I would really appreciate hearing that too if that’s okay.
Thank you in advance.
(edited 1 year ago)
Reply 1
Original post
by wary82Sorry I know the answer is probably going to not be the one I want but I would just like anyone to realistically tell me so I can force myself to swallow this hard pill.
Is getting into a good dentistry school as a mature student who had not good GCSEs (5 in English, 6 in Math - only grade 5 and 6s that where predicted given during covid, so I feel like that also looks bad) and would need to resist their A-Levels unrealistic?
Loosely, or more I guess naively I dreamt of re-siting A-Levels and getting amazing grade in science subjects, finishing a dental assistant apprenticeship, achieving good UCAT score and then getting into like UoB, Queen, KCL, etc.
But looking at the entry requirements on like all of the dental schools it looks as though I am foolish in my thinking as it looks like every school requires top GCSEs and does not accept resists for either GCSEs or A-Levels. They do not mention mature students either so I feel like that’s a signal I should take.
Please give it to me straight if this is a pathway that cannot be walked for me. As much as this dream has given me hope for being such a failure in life, it would be selfish of me to continue going down a useless path that would end in sadness.
If there is an off-chance/alternative pathway that has worked for anyone in a similar situation, I would really appreciate hearing that too if that’s okay.
Thank you in advance.
Is getting into a good dentistry school as a mature student who had not good GCSEs (5 in English, 6 in Math - only grade 5 and 6s that where predicted given during covid, so I feel like that also looks bad) and would need to resist their A-Levels unrealistic?
Loosely, or more I guess naively I dreamt of re-siting A-Levels and getting amazing grade in science subjects, finishing a dental assistant apprenticeship, achieving good UCAT score and then getting into like UoB, Queen, KCL, etc.
But looking at the entry requirements on like all of the dental schools it looks as though I am foolish in my thinking as it looks like every school requires top GCSEs and does not accept resists for either GCSEs or A-Levels. They do not mention mature students either so I feel like that’s a signal I should take.
Please give it to me straight if this is a pathway that cannot be walked for me. As much as this dream has given me hope for being such a failure in life, it would be selfish of me to continue going down a useless path that would end in sadness.
If there is an off-chance/alternative pathway that has worked for anyone in a similar situation, I would really appreciate hearing that too if that’s okay.
Thank you in advance.
I think the best advice would be to contact the admissions department of each uni and ask them. Add all your stats and see what they say. You’ll get a much more accurate response from the people who would potentially consider your application in the future than from the student room. At least you’d know where you stand x
Reply 2
I feel the same way the difference is I am working towards to get the qualifications. I am doing maths higher this year and I’m very worried about my grades and I already have science and English but unfortunately my English and Physics I got a 5. The next step would be A-levels but I’m starting to think if this pass I am walking, if it is realistic. I’m 34 years old and married and I feel life is passing by and I am not enjoying it all due to my studies; it feels like I have to work 3x more to get a good grade. It’s exhausting!!!
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- Feeling penalised for being a dumb kid
- 2 A levels in 5 months
- LLC interdisciplinary science foundation year to progress onto dentistry
- Resitting for dentistry
- Dentistry success stories
- University College Cork - Dentistry
- Switching to dentistry from creative degree - should I self-study A-levels or apply f
- Current Bristol Dental Students - Where is best to live for 1st year???
- Best route for Dental Hygiene after being out of school for 3 years?
- DHT kings or Bristol
- Year 0 / Foundation at Carmel College - Questions
- dental hygiene and therapy (DHT) frustrations
- dentistry interview courses
- Resitting Alevels and applying to dentistry??
- Applying to Dentistry Leicester Medicine as 5th option????
- Help!Low UCAT score
- Official University of Dundee 2025 Applicant Thread
- Spanish dentistry programs in english 2025
- Carmel College foundation to human and animal health professions
- got AAB in my alevels - still worth going for dentistry?
Latest
Trending
Articles for you
How The Student Room is moderated
To keep The Student Room safe for everyone, we moderate posts that are added to the site.
