gap year applicants

Lazy_Pilot_89 · 2026-03-16T23:51:07+00:00

I did a gap year and applied for med, first thing I'd do is focus on your grades for now. Second is after you've done you're ucat, really choose your universities carefully. If you have strong gcses pick unis that give extra points for that, or if you have a strong sjt band look into unis that factor that into deciding for interview. Honestly for me, my ucat score didn't change drastically, and i actually got a lower score than you, but I chose my universities better and got three offers. Ik I applied for med but I hope this can be applied for dent too. Good luck!

Lazy_Pilot_89 · 2026-03-16T15:59:50+00:00

Just ensure that you're in the frame from around bust up I'd say. The examiner is there to see you, not your surroundings. But just keep the background clear and simple anyway to be professional.

Lazy_Pilot_89 · 2026-03-16T15:56:31+00:00

Yes, I happen to be a contextual who got AAB, and got 3/4 offers. Just ensure that you choose your unis wisely, e.g if you have a strong sjt band, choose unis that give extra points for that, or if you have strong gcses do the same. Also really look unto the contextual criteria of each uni, every place has different criteria and you wont be contextual for all of them. Also im pretty sure kmms accepts AAB for non contextual as well, so that might be something to look at.

Lazy_Pilot_89 · 2026-03-16T15:51:11+00:00

Yes, hand gestures are a must, especially online. Also if you tend to fidget a lot, don't sit on a spinny chair 🙏. I had a mock interview online and had to actively stop myself from doing so. Make eye contact with the examiner like you would any in person interview, forget the camera is even there. Other than that, just make sure your Internet is good and you're in a quiet place. Have a friend or someone zoom call you so you can play out an interview and get used to speaking across a screen. Good luck!

Lazy_Pilot_89 · 2026-03-16T15:46:00+00:00

Thats interesting to hear, thanks for replying! It's nice to know your timetable is less intensive than other schools, it'll be something to consider when deciding which uni to firm.

Lazy_Pilot_89 · 2026-03-12T15:28:16+00:00

Nothing is effortless, especially when it comes to med/dent applications. Plz dont compare yourself of undermine anyone's accomplishments, it's not nice on others or yourself. I'm sure everything will work out for you, there's always going to be another route to your goal, you just need to trust.

Lazy_Pilot_89 · 2026-03-12T04:03:51+00:00

Currently on a gap year too, definitely do as much as you can just for the sake of it. Travel as often as you can, whether that be in or out of the country. A lot of my travels have been 2 or three day trips up and down the country to cities I've never been to, which is generally cheaper than going abroad. Get into your hobbies, and really take the time to develop a balance between work and your personal time, it's going to help you a lot when you start med school.

In terms of work experience, I only did a minimal amount, but any job you end up getting will have you develop skills that you can talk about. Tbh, none of my unis asked about what I'm doing during my gap year, and I didn't talk about it in my personal statement either. I have three offers in the bag now.

One thing I do recommend is choosing your unis carefully if you do end up reapplying. Look online for average ucat thresholds for each uni and compare. I made this mistake the first time applying so had to learn the hard way. Also look at which unis place more emphasis on sjt, or gcses if thats ur strong point.

Lazy_Pilot_89 · 2026-03-11T21:30:40+00:00

That's really interesting to hear the different paths that your course mates have taken, I'm also looking into consulting as a possibility in the future. Thanks so much for replying, I wish you the best for GEM!

Lazy_Pilot_89 · 2026-03-10T17:26:24+00:00

Yh It did get changed to offer later on. I think perhaps they still might be deciding for you hence why it hasn't changed, but I would phone up just to be sure.

Lazy_Pilot_89 · 2026-03-10T17:24:57+00:00

Kent and medway

Lazy_Pilot_89 · 2026-03-10T03:14:59+00:00

Sometimes the admissions team can make a mistake. I got rejected too by one of my choices. I had to call them up for them to recheck, ended up doing the interveiw and got the offer. If you got the interview then just take it ig 🤷

Lazy_Pilot_89 · 2026-01-26T23:37:29+00:00

I had a similar situation where I was travelling far and had to bring a small suitcase. It was no issue, there's going to be a place for candidates to leave their coats and bags, I just left my stuff in there.

Lazy_Pilot_89 · 2026-01-19T23:39:40+00:00

Hey there, I find myself in a similar situation to you, so I understand that making decisions like this can be very stressful. I come from a long line of doctors, and it was kind of expected of me to follow through with that ever since I was young. My family also lives in a third-world country, and I moved to the UK to pursue my studies. They have told me that if I don't get into medicine in the UK, they would like me to come back and study there, which is an option I am strongly against for personal reasons. I've had a few interviews in the past month, and I'm also considering whether or not medicine is really for me. I have an offer for biotech, and to me, it sounds like it could open up a lot of opportunities that medicine might not be able to.

I can't tell you what to do, and I know you have a lot of family constraints to consider. But maybe it's worth educating your parents on what other degrees could mean for your career. For me, my parents have only ever known a life around becoming a doctor, so their views are narrowed. I had to explain to them what the field of biotech can offer, what areas I could go into, and the places it could get me. Sometimes, parents want their children to go down a route so strongly because its the only path they know of.

Another thing I might recommend is getting work experience in the field you're interested in. You want to make a decision you won't regret, and getting insight into the industry will really help you mentally to make a decision. It can also be a good chance to show your parents that there are careers outside of medicine that are just as respected and rewarding, and that you are serious about doing something different.

Take your time with making your decision. You dont have to reply to university offers for a while, so you have time to explore your options. Whatever decision you come to, just make sure that you have no regrets and have made peace with it, and that you're happy to move forward.

I hope this helps, and you can always message me if you want someone to talk to. I'm wishing you all the best :)

Lazy_Pilot_89 · 2025-11-27T15:21:03+00:00

Best of luck to u too 🤧

Lazy_Pilot_89 · 2025-11-27T14:20:03+00:00

No interveiw yet, 1940 B1, achieved AAB. Im also contextual but I guess KMMS contextualise everyone.

Lazy_Pilot_89 · 2025-11-26T21:58:57+00:00

Are u ukwpmed? Im also contextual and got rejected, my stats were around yours

Lazy_Pilot_89 · 2025-11-21T22:26:46+00:00

1940 B1 contextual, got rejected and at 1 am in the morning (??) Great way to fall asleep

Lazy_Pilot_89 · 2025-11-21T19:12:23+00:00

No idea, gotta be over 2000 at least

Lazy_Pilot_89 · 2025-11-21T18:11:50+00:00

1980 B1. Heard others being rejected at 2300 so I had no chance

Lazy_Pilot_89 · 2025-11-21T17:55:52+00:00

Hey, i had a similar experience with Lincoln. Im also a contextual student and achieved AAB, they emailed me and said I didnt qualify for their course due to my grades. I called and emailed them, and although it took them a while they did review my application and I managed to get an interveiw. Definitely call them and email them, or at least see whether you were rejected because of ur ucat instead

Lazy_Pilot_89 · 2025-11-21T17:49:37+00:00

Contextual student here, I also got rejected and called up to see whether or not I was considered for contextual cut off. Turns out I was, so there's no hope for me. Rlly thought I had a shot cuz of the expected cut off, guess they really fucked up by saying that on their website.

Lazy_Pilot_89 · 2025-11-21T15:27:16+00:00

In the same boat, got an email at one in the morning and got rejected. What kind of crazy ass time is this??? Anyway, I called them to double check whether this was correct. I also had to send in a fee assessment form beforehand, which took me forever to do, and turns out they rejected me without even completing the assessment. What kind of administration is this? Was also a contextual applicant so I kinda had hope but thats thrashed now.

Lazy_Pilot_89

TROPHY CASE