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Pharmacy or dentistry

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!!)
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!!)


I would recommend you continue with your current application and if you get some offers, firm and insure two choices. Then focus on achieving the best grades you can in your exams. You will then have the summer to think about your future career and, when you have your results, decide your best course of action. If you nail your A levels, taking a gap year and applying for dentistry will be an option. If you miss the entry requirements for dentistry, then you will need to decide where to go from there - retakes, taking your pharmacy place or pursuing a different course. It's not a risk taking a gap year to apply to dentistry especially if your 5th option is for a course that you would happily do instead.

Reply 2

I would echo all of the above advice. You do not have to make a final decision about the way forward until August/September. Use Pharmacy as a back-up, work your socks off for the best grades you can get, and then do some very realistic thinking/deciding once you have your results.

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