Pharmacy or dentistry??

1

Hi!! So I’m a YR 13 student currently, and I’ve submitted my UCAS application earlier this month, and I applied for pharmacy for all my choices. My predicted grades were AAC (in chemistry, biology, and maths respectively), so for some of my choices I was encouraged to put a foundation year to make it easier to get in/meet the entry requirements. I have gotten an interview so far so I’m trying to prepare for it but tbh I’ve wanted to do dentistry for 4/5 years now, pharmacy was never really an option. I mostly only applied for it because my teachers were a bit discouraging, and I already had pretty bad imposter syndrome, + other things going on the past few years that’ve made it really hard to concentrate on my studies, so my grades dipped (I had to go through so much hassle to convince my teachers to raise my predicted grades). And though it’s getting better now, I’m still confused on what to do for my future. Should just currently focus on my grades, and then take a gap year and re-apply?? I’ll have to redo the UCAT as well, and consider other factors like cost, since most of the unis doing dentistry are far from home but not the pharmacy ones. I’m just scared of taking the risk, what if I don’t get into the dentistry courses? It’s so competitive already…?
(Sorry this so long but I’d really appreciate any advice/experiences!!)

Reply 1

Gbains

11

Wait until results day, see what your grades are, if you get 3 A’s then sit ucat and apply to dentistry. If you don’t get 3A’s or more, then re assess if you need to resit, sit ucat and apply to dentistry. You have the summer to think about what your choices will be and if you get the dentistry requirement A level grades first time, it’s just a gap year or getting experience and taking time out whilst applying.

Some Universities don’t accept A level resits and some do, so depending on your grades in August you can make a judgment call and see what your options are etc. you can still carry on with your mpharm application and see what your options are once you get offers in this application etc.

Dentistry doesn’t come in clearing really so applying on results day isn’t an option, it is historic for not being in clearing as Universities use their own wait lists on the day to offer any places available if any etc

Reply 2

ringi

14

AAA with good ucat and work experience is the minimal for dentistry. Taking a gap year shows commitment. Retakes are not liked by many dental schools.

Need to book and start studying for UCAT from shortly after last A level exam, don't wait until you know A level results. (UCAT study will improve your learning skills regardless of what you do after it.)

Don't discount starting a dental nurce apprenticeship as can then move into clinical management and gives good insight for dentistry interviews. Access courses from 21 are valid for some dental schools and getting life experience can be better then A level resits.

Dental hygienists etc should not be seen as a way into a dental degree as doing two degrees is very costly and most still fail to get into dentistry degree.

Reply 3

defe

1

Original post

by blythedollx

Hi!! So I’m a YR 13 student currently, and I’ve submitted my UCAS application earlier this month, and I applied for pharmacy for all my choices. My predicted grades were AAC (in chemistry, biology, and maths respectively), so for some of my choices I was encouraged to put a foundation year to make it easier to get in/meet the entry requirements. I have gotten an interview so far so I’m trying to prepare for it but tbh I’ve wanted to do dentistry for 4/5 years now, pharmacy was never really an option. I mostly only applied for it because my teachers were a bit discouraging, and I already had pretty bad imposter syndrome, + other things going on the past few years that’ve made it really hard to concentrate on my studies, so my grades dipped (I had to go through so much hassle to convince my teachers to raise my predicted grades). And though it’s getting better now, I’m still confused on what to do for my future. Should just currently focus on my grades, and then take a gap year and re-apply?? I’ll have to redo the UCAT as well, and consider other factors like cost, since most of the unis doing dentistry are far from home but not the pharmacy ones. I’m just scared of taking the risk, what if I don’t get into the dentistry courses? It’s so competitive already…?
(Sorry this so long but I’d really appreciate any advice/experiences!!)

Hi there! I’m also a Y13 student with a strong interest in studying BDS. Unfortunately, I wasn’t well-prepared for the UCAT this year, so I’m planning to resit it next year and reapply. Right now, I’m applying for mpharm. icl isn’t my first choice, but I see it as both a valuable experience and a safety option. The interview formats are quite similar to BDS (like MMI, SJT, role-play), which prepare me for future interview (?. Even if I don’t get into dentistry next year, I could still reapply while studying a professional degree or enter via the postgraduate route later on. I feel like we’re in a similar position. For now, my main focus to get those AL results and then concentrating on ucat prep. I am not failing it again. The path is long and challenging, but if this is what I want, I'll keep going until reaching my goal. pls dm me!

Pharmacy or dentistry??

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