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should i give up my radiography offer?

long story short i didn't get the grades for dentistry the first time i wanted to apply for med first time anyway but grades were too low ABC, i needed at least ABB so i didn't apply. i have an unconditional offer for radiography (because it was the closest thing to a radiologist) and my parents want me to have a back up

i STUPIDLY found out about dental hygiene and therapy in like MAY which is far too late but god i fell in love :frown: like deeply in love and a bonus is it's 'easier' to become a dentist which is a win because i love dentistry. i wouldn't mind not becoming a dentist though i just want to work in the dental team

realistically i probably can't get into DHT through clearing/calling (im going to call anyway and see if i get in)

my original plan was to apply to dentistry while being in 1st year of radiography - NOT transfer, if i get into dentistry i would drop out of radiography and start year 1 dentistry

but i know that me staying in a degree lowers my chances.. but i don't want to stay in limbo and go on another gap year, im already a resit student having just done my a level exams on track to go from BC to AA predicted. i have dental practice work experience lined up

i have already emailed the universities asking their position on applications from first year degree applicants

im so sorry im so angry with myself for being too laser focused on medicine 😡

my biggest fear is that my parents don't want me to take another gap year but they don't understand that i no longer like radiography, i always saw it as something to get me into medicine, but DHT is different.. i love DHT, i love the independence and how the science is enough to keep me stimulated but specific enough too and they have an active role in patient care

help :frown:

Reply 1

i said long story short but why is it so long omg

Reply 2

Original post
by throwaway62
long story short i didn't get the grades for dentistry the first time i wanted to apply for med first time anyway but grades were too low ABC, i needed at least ABB so i didn't apply. i have an unconditional offer for radiography (because it was the closest thing to a radiologist) and my parents want me to have a back up
i STUPIDLY found out about dental hygiene and therapy in like MAY which is far too late but god i fell in love :frown: like deeply in love and a bonus is it's 'easier' to become a dentist which is a win because i love dentistry. i wouldn't mind not becoming a dentist though i just want to work in the dental team
realistically i probably can't get into DHT through clearing/calling (im going to call anyway and see if i get in)
my original plan was to apply to dentistry while being in 1st year of radiography - NOT transfer, if i get into dentistry i would drop out of radiography and start year 1 dentistry
but i know that me staying in a degree lowers my chances.. but i don't want to stay in limbo and go on another gap year, im already a resit student having just done my a level exams on track to go from BC to AA predicted. i have dental practice work experience lined up
i have already emailed the universities asking their position on applications from first year degree applicants
im so sorry im so angry with myself for being too laser focused on medicine 😡
my biggest fear is that my parents don't want me to take another gap year but they don't understand that i no longer like radiography, i always saw it as something to get me into medicine, but DHT is different.. i love DHT, i love the independence and how the science is enough to keep me stimulated but specific enough too and they have an active role in patient care
help :frown:


hi there :smile:

this sounds like a tough situation and you must be stressed.
what i will say is that you seem to be VERY passionate about dht. and radiography will be so different that there’s no excuse for doing it instead. i know this is difficult but it’s your life, and 2 gap years does sound like a lot because there’s no structure and you’re just left to your own devices, but two years is a hell of a lot better than a 5 year degree you hate followed by like 10 years of specialisation then working in that job for the rest of your whole life. please id seriously encourage you to take that second gap year and apply for dht. tbings will just get complicated if you start your med degree and try to drop then go to another degree. not to mention the finances involved. also will that not still be a year of your life ‘gone’ to med which is not your end goal?

please please try to convince your parents even if it involves arguing or smth. this is too important to just give up. i mean they can’t physically force you to do med right? it’ll be hard because they may be super disappointed at first, i understand, and you may feel that you let them down. but after a while they’ll move on, especiallt when they see you settled in that first year of a degree you love. you can show them you’re serious and responsible by talking about that wex you have lined up, and trying to find more experiences or events for dentistry too. try to sort out some volunteering for your second gap year or maybe get a part time job. just show them you’re gonna be doing sometning and that you won’t be lazing around all day , because that likely may be another part of the resistance they have against the second gap year (bc that’s the case for my parents).

and finally, i wanted to warn you that there is a med student going around on these types of post bullying and tearing down people by telling them they’re not good enough and shouldn’t reapply or resit etcetc. and i’ve tried to stop them but they’re sadly persistent in their horrible ways. on the small chance they comment here, do NOT listen to that person. report them immediately and move on with your life. keep striving for the career and life you want. you are good enough for all this.

best of luck fr fr. i’m rooting for you. please update with what you decide to do! any questions pls lmk

Reply 3

Original post
by Flower2007!
hi there :smile:
this sounds like a tough situation and you must be stressed.
what i will say is that you seem to be VERY passionate about dht. and radiography will be so different that there’s no excuse for doing it instead. i know this is difficult but it’s your life, and 2 gap years does sound like a lot because there’s no structure and you’re just left to your own devices, but two years is a hell of a lot better than a 5 year degree you hate followed by like 10 years of specialisation then working in that job for the rest of your whole life. please id seriously encourage you to take that second gap year and apply for dht. tbings will just get complicated if you start your med degree and try to drop then go to another degree. not to mention the finances involved. also will that not still be a year of your life ‘gone’ to med which is not your end goal?
please please try to convince your parents even if it involves arguing or smth. this is too important to just give up. i mean they can’t physically force you to do med right? it’ll be hard because they may be super disappointed at first, i understand, and you may feel that you let them down. but after a while they’ll move on, especiallt when they see you settled in that first year of a degree you love. you can show them you’re serious and responsible by talking about that wex you have lined up, and trying to find more experiences or events for dentistry too. try to sort out some volunteering for your second gap year or maybe get a part time job. just show them you’re gonna be doing sometning and that you won’t be lazing around all day , because that likely may be another part of the resistance they have against the second gap year (bc that’s the case for my parents).
and finally, i wanted to warn you that there is a med student going around on these types of post bullying and tearing down people by telling them they’re not good enough and shouldn’t reapply or resit etcetc. and i’ve tried to stop them but they’re sadly persistent in their horrible ways. on the small chance they comment here, do NOT listen to that person. report them immediately and move on with your life. keep striving for the career and life you want. you are good enough for all this.
best of luck fr fr. i’m rooting for you. please update with what you decide to do! any questions pls lmk

hi!!! thank you so much for your response it really helped calm me down thank youu first of oh my.. i'll definitely look out for them how rude and stingy..

it's easier said than done i suppose, i feel there is an obvious answer but my parents were already really disappointed that i had to resit and i feel telling them im going on a gap year is rubbing salt on the wound 😭 i will take your advice though and see what i can do thank you so much again!

Reply 4

Original post
by throwaway62
hi!!! thank you so much for your response it really helped calm me down thank youu first of oh my.. i'll definitely look out for them how rude and stingy..
it's easier said than done i suppose, i feel there is an obvious answer but my parents were already really disappointed that i had to resit and i feel telling them im going on a gap year is rubbing salt on the wound 😭 i will take your advice though and see what i can do thank you so much again!


i really sympathise girl. i’m in similar position bc i just finished my a levels but i think i need to resit a subject and i gotta take a gap year anyways but if i mess up ucat for dent a second time, there’s a very real possibility i’ll have to take a second gap year. and yeah my parents are also against it. maybe i can’t help much but i want you to know you’re not alone and there are other people going through this :frown:

my situation is a bit diff to yours though because you’re rly passionate about dht whereas idm too much abt doing dent or med although i do still prefer dent. so there’s still a chance i’ll reapply for med instead as it’s slightly slightly easier to get into bc there are more unis.
but real talk, if i solely loved dent as much as you love dht, i’d take the second gap year in a heartbeat

Reply 5

Original post
by Flower2007!
i really sympathise girl. i’m in similar position bc i just finished my a levels but i think i need to resit a subject and i gotta take a gap year anyways but if i mess up ucat for dent a second time, there’s a very real possibility i’ll have to take a second gap year. and yeah my parents are also against it. maybe i can’t help much but i want you to know you’re not alone and there are other people going through this :frown:
my situation is a bit diff to yours though because you’re rly passionate about dht whereas idm too much abt doing dent or med although i do still prefer dent. so there’s still a chance i’ll reapply for med instead as it’s slightly slightly easier to get into bc there are more unis.
but real talk, if i solely loved dent as much as you love dht, i’d take the second gap year in a heartbeat

gasppp omg you're younger than me this is so embarrassing ahah you seem so strong and determined already 😭🫶 buttt don't think about resitting for now! you probably did better than you think :smile:

and for med and dent, i do know specific unis (if it comes down to it) will allow you to apply to both med and dent! you mentioned you loved dent a bit more so you could apply to mainly dent, make your personal statement around dentistry, then apply to med unis that don't look at the personal statement! just in case you get to that point!

im definitely marinating over the decision but ahhh oh my gosh good luck on your ucat! when is yours booked? xx

Reply 6

Original post
by throwaway62
gasppp omg you're younger than me this is so embarrassing ahah you seem so strong and determined already 😭🫶 buttt don't think about resitting for now! you probably did better than you think :smile:
and for med and dent, i do know specific unis (if it comes down to it) will allow you to apply to both med and dent! you mentioned you loved dent a bit more so you could apply to mainly dent, make your personal statement around dentistry, then apply to med unis that don't look at the personal statement! just in case you get to that point!
im definitely marinating over the decision but ahhh oh my gosh good luck on your ucat! when is yours booked? xx


you’re super right! but i rly wanna stay in london bc i can’t and don’t wanna move out so obvs it narrows tbings down A LOT bc there’s like only 6 med unis and 2 dent and they’re all super competitive :frown: i think that’s another part of my problem tbh…

my ucat is booked for 12th aug! i wanted to get it out of the way this time before results day so that if i flop my ucat but still get the grades i may even consider taking my pharm offer but i rly don’t wanna do pharm to be quite honest :frown: so yeah idk anymore lol. how did you do in your ucat x

Reply 7

Original post
by Flower2007!
you’re super right! but i rly wanna stay in london bc i can’t and don’t wanna move out so obvs it narrows tbings down A LOT bc there’s like only 6 med unis and 2 dent and they’re all super competitive :frown: i think that’s another part of my problem tbh…
my ucat is booked for 12th aug! i wanted to get it out of the way this time before results day so that if i flop my ucat but still get the grades i may even consider taking my pharm offer but i rly don’t wanna do pharm to be quite honest :frown: so yeah idk anymore lol. how did you do in your ucat x

oh hush you will have a chance! just smash the ucat and even then you can still find some unis in london! and if it comes to it maybe even look for foundation years so you can still stay in london you never know!!!

i can't really comment on it but in a perfect world don't do that pharm degree and girl i can sense the passion for dentistry radiating off of you you will be fine!!

also i didn't do my ucat since i couldn't apply to med/dent this year because my initial grade was too low 😭 we going in this together ahah

Reply 8

Original post
by throwaway62
long story short i didn't get the grades for dentistry the first time i wanted to apply for med first time anyway but grades were too low ABC, i needed at least ABB so i didn't apply. i have an unconditional offer for radiography (because it was the closest thing to a radiologist) and my parents want me to have a back up
i STUPIDLY found out about dental hygiene and therapy in like MAY which is far too late but god i fell in love :frown: like deeply in love and a bonus is it's 'easier' to become a dentist which is a win because i love dentistry. i wouldn't mind not becoming a dentist though i just want to work in the dental team
realistically i probably can't get into DHT through clearing/calling (im going to call anyway and see if i get in)
my original plan was to apply to dentistry while being in 1st year of radiography - NOT transfer, if i get into dentistry i would drop out of radiography and start year 1 dentistry
but i know that me staying in a degree lowers my chances.. but i don't want to stay in limbo and go on another gap year, im already a resit student having just done my a level exams on track to go from BC to AA predicted. i have dental practice work experience lined up
i have already emailed the universities asking their position on applications from first year degree applicants
im so sorry im so angry with myself for being too laser focused on medicine 😡
my biggest fear is that my parents don't want me to take another gap year but they don't understand that i no longer like radiography, i always saw it as something to get me into medicine, but DHT is different.. i love DHT, i love the independence and how the science is enough to keep me stimulated but specific enough too and they have an active role in patient care
help :frown:

Is DHT in UCAS Extra?

Reply 9

Original post
by Muttley79
Is DHT in UCAS Extra?

probably, probably not, but i have already accepted an unconditional for radiography so i don't think ucas extra is open for me unless i reject my offer 😅

Reply 10

Original post
by throwaway62
probably, probably not, but i have already accepted an unconditional for radiography so i don't think ucas extra is open for me unless i reject my offer 😅

You asked whether to give up your offer .. don't do a degree you are not convinced about!

Reply 11

Original post
by Muttley79
You asked whether to give up your offer .. don't do a degree you are not convinced about!

thank you!! i think that is what im gonna do, parents mad is temporary but my degree is forever GRRRRR

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