Ds unlikely to score well in UKCAT. Advice needed

[dontstealmymagnolias]

Ds has always wanted to do dentistry and up until now the path seemed fairly straightforward. He got 6 A*s and 4 As in GCSE, we are in the process of organising work experience, he has done lots of online dentistry courses over lockdown.
He has his UKCAT in 10 days time, and despite doing lots of work he is averaging about 2500. Last night he broke down (which is completely unlike him) saying that he won't get any offers with those scores. Apparently on TSR it says you need 2800+ for most unis to be in with a chance?
My understanding is that he gets 4 dental choices and one non dental (he's putting pharmacy) for UCAS. In light of his scores should he put 2 pharmacy choices? He's worried that he won't get into pharmacy now as his personal statement is completely centred on dentistry.
Any advice welcome, TIA.

This might help (thanks to @Monkey2001).

Sorry ! That's the medics one. I'll go find my dentistry version.

I came across this article if it's helpful for those in the same boat:
www.medentry.co.uk/ucat/entry/applying-to-dental-school-strategically-using-your-ucat-score

mums if you have the dentistry version please do post it, I can't find a comprehensive guide for cut off scores at all.

@dontstealmymagnolias unfortunately it's not quite as straightforward for dentistry as many use the holistic approach rather than pure ranking like medicine. I'm popping into school today so will get my dentistry spreadsheet and post asap

If you search 'FOI dentistry UCAT' for the schools you are interested in you will see the data they have provided to others.
Also, does your son qualify for any widening participation flags? Again, it'll be on the website of each dental school.

@dontstealmymagnolias apologies for delay. Hope this is helpful. Do double check as changes happen all the time. I can send you the whole thing (had to condense it for here) just send me a message with your email.

mums that is very helpful, thank you. I'll pm you my email address.

Hi dontstealmymagnolias

You said ‘ he has done lots of online dentistry courses over lockdown.’

Can you provide links of done if the courses pls. I was unaware of any.

The exam was today, he got 2640 which isn't a disaster but ds feels it isn't exactly a 'safe' score either. He worked out he has at least enough points to get an interview with QUB. Just so glad it is over!

portico I will ask ds tomorrow but do recall him doing one with coursera and another with University of Sheffield. They might not ab available now.

@dontstealmymagnolias that's a great score !!! What's his SJT because if it's a 1 he has loads of options.
Tell him to look at Plymouth, UEA, Sunderland, Lancaster, Kent, Exeter if good predicted (3 A stars), Liverpool & if SJT 1 Nottingham. Also Keele if good work experience (or can write well for R&R form).

@dontstealmymagnolias sorry was doing medicine again !!! For dentistry everywhere is still an option as most use an overall approach. And it is a good UCAT, well over average !!!

Thanks @mumsneedwine for all your help! Was speaking to a dentist friend earlier & they said in their day it was advised to mention proficiency in some sort of activity involving fine motor skills such as crafting/making things. Anyone else come across this?

@Decorhate

Thanks *@mumsneedwine* for all your help! Was speaking to a dentist friend earlier & they said in their day it was advised to mention proficiency in some sort of activity involving fine motor skills such as crafting/making things. Anyone else come across this?

Yes, that is definitely an advantage. It could be crafting, making models, Lego, playing an instrument, etc. As always, the key is how to reflect on the transferable skills applicable to dentistry.

@dontstealmymagnolias

Ds has always wanted to do dentistry and up until now the path seemed fairly straightforward. He got 6 A*s and 4 As in GCSE, we are in the process of organising work experience, he has done lots of online dentistry courses over lockdown. He has his UKCAT in 10 days time, and despite doing lots of work he is averaging about 2500. Last night he broke down (which is completely unlike him) saying that he won't get any offers with those scores. Apparently on TSR it says you need 2800+ for most unis to be in with a chance? My understanding is that he gets 4 dental choices and one non dental (he's putting pharmacy) for UCAS. In light of his scores should he put 2 pharmacy choices? He's worried that he won't get into pharmacy now as his personal statement is completely centred on dentistry. Any advice welcome, TIA.

Often information about what UCAT scores those universities have interviewed or made offers to is available from FOI requests.

For example i have learnt from whatdotheyknow.com that for 2021 entry the average UCAT score of those they interviewed was 2720 and the lowest of anyone they interviewed was 2450.
This will vary from year to year as the distribution of marks varies somewhat.

Different universities approach admissions in different ways. Some will operate the process like a series of hurdles that must be cleared, with a UCAT score required to get to the next stage, others like Manchester take a more holistic approach considering all the information they have about an applicant at the same time.

Hi all
Apologies, my query is not as urgent, but here I go. DS2 is in Y12, son looking at Dentistry entry in 2023.
I would like to improve his reading skills over the next 12 months to address to the challenging vocabulary used in the VR section of the UCAT. Has anyone any recommendations on what to do, pls?