Oldies for 2010

[tiger_lilly]

Hi,


Here's another guy from the jurassic age! I'm 36 and I'm a dentist wishing to persue maxfax. My UKCAT score was not brilliant (615) so I think I won't apply to GEP, just 5-years. Where do you think I should have a go?


Regards,
Pedro


PS: I have post on this section called "What option sto fill in?". There you can have a look at my profile

Hi Pedro,

Although your ukcat is on the low side for GEP, you have more options since you are a qualified dentists. Kings have a special max-fax entry route for people like yourself, not sure what the ukcat requirement is or if ukcat is required. And I think a couple of other schools accept dentists directly to the 3rd year of their course, now I can't remember which ones. I think the best thing to do is to email admissions tutors.

[469er]

I think the general advice about your UKCAT score for Kings is probably correct (I've just started the second of four years at Kings). It is fairly clear that at least in selecting for the GEP interview Kings give the UKCAT a lot of weight (rightly or wrongly).
However I suspect - and I'm really not sure about this as there are no dentists in my GEP cohort - that Kings may take a slightly different view regarding applicants from dentists for maxfax (especially if your academic record is very strong). I don't want to give you false hope and I reiterate I'm not sure about this but I really think it would be worth your while to contact Kings to discuss this.

Actually, I was wondering this too. Are there not a certain number of places ringfenced for maxfax applicants? Presumably the competition is stiff for these too, but as a practising dentist psjorge might have an edge over new dental graduates. I agree, worth asking for more information.

[BGG]

Actually, I was wondering this too. Are there not a certain number of places ringfenced for maxfax applicants?

I am fairly sure that used to be the case but less sure whether it still is.

[psjorge]

Thanks guys (and girls)... again!

Hope you dont mind me picking your brains for advice What would you do - I'm 28 and have deferred unconditional offer for 2010 to a 5 year course so ill be 29 when it commences. I had wanted a GEP course but after having no luck with the 1 I applied too they offered me a place on a 5 year course. With being that bit older it bothers somewhat that extra year. Would it be worth sacrificing my secure 5 year place to try again on the GEP or should I just be happy with the 5 year programme and suck the age thing up?

Well, curlysin, I'm 36. If I get a place on the 2010 entry it means I'll be 37 at the start. Add five years and I'll be 42 (good Lord!). As I want to persue maxfax it means that I'll be a consultant bordering on 50 (good Lord again!) so... don't worry about starting at 29! Grab whatever you have in hand!

Lol, I take your point, you have a lot on! But the BMAT is not supposed to be prepare-able anyway. You seem to have lost confidence because you didn't do as well as you would have liked in the UKCAT but you might fare better in the BMAT. It really isn't that bad, I did much much better than I expected, and without preparation - there is so little you can do to prepare. It's IQ-type questions, then there is a science section. The science bit I had to guess all the maths and physics because I hadn't done either for twenty years. And then there is an essay, and there is usually a title involving medical ethics - you'd surely be better at that than some 18-year old... but I don't think I can persuade you, can I?

georgiegirl, OK, OK, I'll have a look at BMAT!

Re Barts, all I would say is that if you have unconventional or overseas qualifications make sure you have something in writing from them saying that your qualifications are eligible. I have a friend who was told on the telephone prior to applying that her US qualifications were eligible, but was then rejected without interview. She queried this and they told her that because she got her degree in the States, it didn't qualify under their admissions requirements - not what she had been told originally. She was very upset because she had wasted a UCAS slot. Seven weeks and numerous emails and phone calls later, they rescinded and granted her an interview (this was for the 5yr). She was a really excellent candidate and in the end was able to tell them she didn't need the interview because she got an unconditional offer on the Kings 4yr. My experience of Barts as a two-time applicant was that their admissions office is hopelessly inefficient.

That's quite distressing, isn't it!?

tiger_lilly, 469er and BGG, you 're right about a direct entry route into the 3rd year for dentists wishing to persue maxfax. The thing is that you have to be registered with the General Dental Council, which I can but you also have to have a MFDS RCSurg Eng title. This is impossible to achieve unless you live and work in the UK for a few years. You have to be "part of the system" so to say because in order to be eligeble to sit at that exam you have to have a hospital affiliation, for instance. So... I don't meet the entry requirements.

I think the general advice about your UKCAT score for Kings is probably correct (I've just started the second of four years at Kings). It is fairly clear that at least in selecting for the GEP interview Kings give the UKCAT a lot of weight (rightly or wrongly).

, I have no doubts regarding my score and the GEP at King's, but wgat about the 5-year program? Do you think I have a shot at it or I'd better use the UCAS slot elsewhere?

If the NHS Bursary isn't a burning issue, I'd say go for 5-year every time, as well as it being a bird in hand, as yazoo says. Your quality of life and enjoyment of your studies will be far greater. I'm sufficiently an 'oldie' that I desperately wanted to avoid reapplying (though I would have, if necessary), so I applied to all 5-year courses, as I wasn't confident of getting a GEP. When I got 3 offers, I did regret not having the guts to put at least one down, as I felt I must have been a stronger applicant than I'd given myself credit for. But having just finished the first year of a 5-year course, any residual pangs I had have completely evaporated. The longer course is quite tough enough, IMO. Depending on your other commitments, a 4-year could be a nightmare. And cliched though it is, you do need some balance. As well as having a family and a big commute, I have time to earn some money, have a social life, pay some attention to my forward career plans (more important if you're older, IMO) and pursue some of my interests. By contrast, if I'd got a place on a GEP, I might have had a nervous breakdown instead! A year is nothing, in the scheme of things.

I think you may be totally right, 469er! Having said this WHERE should I apply to?


Regards,
Pedro

[469er]

I think you may be totally right, 469er! Having said this WHERE should I apply to?

King's, Barts, Southampton and Brighton. All 5-year. Oh, no, that was me.

[BGG]

, I have no doubts regarding my score and the GEP at King's, but wgat about the 5-year program? Do you think I have a shot at it or I'd better use the UCAS slot elsewhere?

I think the best thing to do is call Kings and ask them because I am essentially speculating but I would have thought you would have more than a shot.

(I also think that Kings may think about your experience in a positive light for the four year course - I'd certainly at least check.)

[469er]

I have no doubts regarding my score and the GEP at King's, but wgat about the 5-year program? Do you think I have a shot at it or I'd better use the UCAS slot elsewhere?

I must say, it sounds as though King's is where you really want to apply. I said it yesterday and I'll say it again this evening - follow your heart. If it's what you really want, give it a shot. Why not? I know time isn't quite on your side, but at 36, a year is really neither here nor there. Your kids are young enough that schooling decisions can be put off for another year without it being a big deal, if you have to reapply. In fact, bollocks to it - do the BMAT and put 4 London schools down. Go on, you know you want to!

[psjorge]

BGG, 469er... you're tempting me!

Seriously, I really thank you for your fee-back. I's been a great help.

469er, you're at king's 5-year program, right?

To be honest, if this choice were to be made by the heart only I would bet everything on London schools but I have to use the mind as well. In fact I should use mainly the mind. This is probably a sign of me getting old!

Do you think I'm under-rating my application?

I'll give a call to both King's and Barts and will come back to you!

Can't thank you enough,
Pedro

[ilove_mrblair]

Just thought I'd say that I love these kind of threads. It makes one realise that age really shouldn't be a barrier in pursuit of your ultimate goal. Good luck to you all.

PS: I'm still a baby at 23!

[psjorge]

Thanks!