aiming for dentistry

hi, i am about to go into college and aiming to do biology chemistry and psychology, so that i can apply to dentistry. i didn’t do triple as i was unsure about what i wanted to do at the time and in my gcses i achieved: 998888877 (8-8 in science). if anyone has any tips for any areas that i mentioned (especially bio and chem) it would be much appreciated🫶🏾

Honestly all i can say is good luck. This year there were 100k students for 1100 spaces. So acceptance rate is about 1.1%. Make sure u have a backup plan wether that's gap year, applying abroad, another course. Ur ucat matters a lot, some people may say oh some unis dont care thay much, dont listen to them. Ur options shrink drastically if u dont have a strong ucat, its absolutely essential to grind for that as hard as u can. Ofc ur grades and predicted are important and make sure ur ps is compelling, although i think ucas has changed that now so idrk. Ur GCSEs arent taken into consideration much (depends where u apply tho, for cardiff they matter which i wouldnt recommed unless ur ucat and predicted are really really high bcs ppl with straight 9s are the competition- they use a point system and the cutoff is on their website so calculate ur points and see)

what exam boards do you do?

Honestly all i can say is good luck. This year there were 100k students for 1100 spaces. So acceptance rate is about 1.1%. Make sure u have a backup plan wether that's gap year, applying abroad, another course. Ur ucat matters a lot, some people may say oh some unis dont care thay much, dont listen to them. Ur options shrink drastically if u dont have a strong ucat, its absolutely essential to grind for that as hard as u can. Ofc ur grades and predicted are important and make sure ur ps is compelling, although i think ucas has changed that now so idrk. Ur GCSEs arent taken into consideration much (depends where u apply tho, for cardiff they matter which i wouldnt recommed unless ur ucat and predicted are really really high bcs ppl with straight 9s are the competition- they use a point system and the cutoff is on their website so calculate ur points and see)

hi, thank you so much for the brutal response 😭 i was planning to do a foundation year but the nearest uni to me (manchester) removed it so idk … so i changed to chemistry, i am really scared about the ucat but will starting early help? as im supposed to be going away next summer for 2/3 weeks, but, ill make sure to talk to my parents about it. i dont really have a backup plan right now but i was also thinking about dht (which is more competitive i know) but there isn’t really anything else that im passionate about lol ! everything is SOO competitive! but i’ll probably have to consider a gap year but idk if my parents will allow it …

hi, i am about to go into college and aiming to do biology chemistry and psychology, so that i can apply to dentistry. i didn’t do triple as i was unsure about what i wanted to do at the time and in my gcses i achieved: 998888877 (8-8 in science). if anyone has any tips for any areas that i mentioned (especially bio and chem) it would be much appreciated🫶🏾

just a reminder dont do dht bc u cant get in dent!! theyre 2 completely different course. unless u just wanna be in the dentistry setting and not a dentist, dont choose dht

Hi,
For A-Level Biology, I’d recommend starting by learning and memorising key AO1 content and phrases using active recall, flashcards, or mind maps. Once you feel confident with the content, move on to AO2 by practicing applying your knowledge to graphs and scenarios, and for AO3, focus on analysing data and drawing conclusions. After that, work through past paper questions topic by topic, and then try full exam papers.
For A-Level Chemistry, start with the content and key concepts, making sure you understand the methods for solving questions. As you go, create flashcards and mind maps to help remember content and make revision less overwhelming. Once you feel confident, practise past paper questions topic by topic, then move on to full exam papers. Focus on any weaker areas and don’t hesitate to ask teachers or peers if you’re unsure about anything.
Wishing you all the best with your studies!
Tayba
Student Rep

hi, thank you for your response ! what would you recommend instead ?

It's up to u honestly, what do u like to do, science? other healthcare? If u like bio and chem u could do pharmacy. Theres also physiotherapy, optometry, speech and language etcetc.

hi, thank you so much for the brutal response 😭 i was planning to do a foundation year but the nearest uni to me (manchester) removed it so idk … so i changed to chemistry, i am really scared about the ucat but will starting early help? as im supposed to be going away next summer for 2/3 weeks, but, ill make sure to talk to my parents about it. i dont really have a backup plan right now but i was also thinking about dht (which is more competitive i know) but there isn’t really anything else that im passionate about lol ! everything is SOO competitive! but i’ll probably have to consider a gap year but idk if my parents will allow it …

In all honesty, if dentistry is what you want defo go for it. Ot was the same for me (i got rjected first time took a gap rejected again and now im going abroad). Its a great career and so so stable. But what you do right now matters a lot. All u need for the ucat is the year 12 summer, start practicing in like june july (only moderately, to see where ur skill level is at), booking for it opens mid july (good dates go by fast so make sure ur on it at 6am when it opens), and depending on ur confidence level u can book it for july, August or even September (you also have the option to delay the exam once uve booked it if ur panicking last minute). But honestly the only thing i can say is, it acc is as hard as they say. When ur online u only see success stories, bcs only ppl who acc got it are willing to boast abojt it, noone likes sharing failures, and i think that gives a lot of ppl some fake comfort (myself included). So my advice would be, go for it if thats what you really want, but also be prepared mentally if things dont go well. I think applying abroad is a great option (you coulf even do it during year 13 so u dont have to take a gap) if u want help or info with applying abroad or anything u can message me

Current y13 applying to dent. The process is definitely tough especially being in the middle of it right now but its 100% worth it when I think of how much I want to do this degree. I'd recommend getting lots of WEX. As much as you can, the more the better. It not only gives you an idea of want you really want in the future but also you can slap it onto the PS. Even if it's something you're not really passionate about in the end you can write how it guided you in the right direction. Don't book yourself full for y12 summer. Ucat takes up a lot of time so you may feel overworked if you add on too many extras. Y12 is a lot but it was when I had the most free time and I definitely regret not doing more stuff. I'd also say you should do you're theory test asap. It may be that you have to do it later because of your birthday but you should try your hardest to do it before you sit the ucat because it's the exact same test centre. When I sat my ucat this summer I found out my test centre sucks and if I had known how many distractions there were I would've tested somewhere else ngl.

hi, sorry for the late response, but thank you so much for all this info! it’s really nice to listen to your advice. and i’ve heard of a few people moving abroad and taking multiple gap years after the ucat go wrong. i’m not surprised about what you said about the test tho as it does seem extremely difficult and even i have flashbacks to the 11+ sometimes 😭 quick question tho which country are you in now? and how are you finding the culture change/ language barriers? i feel like my parents would be really worried to let me leave the uk especially being female poc …but thanks again and i sum think of considering it!!!

hi, thank you for your response! yes, there’s no surprise that it is unfortunately difficult but i’ve tried emailing nearby practices for work experience but 4 tell me they are not able to offer it to me. im still yet to hear from some others before i move onto emailing more. also how did your ucat go? hoping it was all well! but my birthday is in early feb, so, i would have to book my theory way after because i have mocks in late feb!

Im still in the uk, I'll have to update you on all of that once im there lol which will be in November haha. Im a female poc too but u dont need to worry bcs all the unis ur applying to will be teaching dent in ENGLISH so theres naturally going to be lots of international kids . Bulgaria is really popular option for uk rejects and its got societies for lots of ethnic groups (i personally wouldnt recommed bulgaria but that was just an example bcs racism was a huge thing for me to consider when applying). My parents were worried too but thats natural. the thing is all the uk unis that do dent are far from where i live so i wouldve had to move out anyway but now im moving out to but a whole new country lol

Ucat went pretty well. 2200 b3 so yh def will be applying this yr especially to dental schools not looking at sjt hahaha. I found calling best to find work experience. They’d either say yes or reject me on the spot which is sm quicker than waiting for replies or getting aired. Def don’t feel discouraged. Some ppl I know tried 50+ times before they found something but the next call could be the one. I found it good to ask to just come in for an hour or two and ask questions to the dentists and they’d often end up keeping me for the day or even multiple days. Also try booking an appointment with ur dentist and asking in the appointment. I realised that normally it’s the managers and receptionists that have a problem with work experience cause they have to sort out insurance and stuff but the actual dentists really enjoy it because they were in the exact same boat once. By asking them directly they’re more happy to say yes. Also look at volunteering in general. It’s a requirement for a couple dental schools.