Mature Person applying for Dentistry

[richardjoseph]

Hi everyone, this thread has been insightful so far. I'd like some advice on getting into dentistry.

I'm 27, working in corporate full-time (lawyer), studied a non-health related undergrad degree but have always been curious about dentistry. The more I work, the more I realise corporate isn't for me and wished I went into the health industry. I applied to JCU for the 2025 intake but didn't get an offer. I don't think my undergrad degree GPA would be competitive enough to get into other undergrad dentistry courses so what would increase my chances of getting into undergrad and/or postgrad dentistry? Should I enrol in a science or biomed undergrad degree and try get a perfect GPA? My preference is to get into undergrad dentistry as my understanding is that the pathway is typically shorter and UCAT prep seems less intensive compared to GAMSAT prep.

thank you for your suggestion

thank you for your suggestion

If I were you I'd apply the postgraduate degree (FFP/CSP) for 4 years.
Everyone knows that It's very hard to get high GPA from a Law degree. Usyd does not care of your GPA as long as you attained 'Credit' average. (5/7).
Also improving the score in GAMSAT is easier than Ucat because UCAT is valid 1 year and you can sit once a year only while the GAMSAT is held twice a year and the cut-off is not high for the FFP DMD.
Usyd is emphasizing on S1 and S2 not S3, I suppose you're strong at S1 and S2 because you're a lawyer.
There is NO interview for DMD course in Usyd and UniMelb.
If you do really well in Gamsat S1 and S2 (combined score 145 out 200) then you can secure a CSP of Medicine and Dentistry. If you can achieve high 60s in both S1 and S2, you're almost guaranteed to secure DMD FFP in Usyd. The fee is high (i.e mid 70K) but you can use 'HELP-FEE' loan up to 190K from next year.

Doctor of Dental Medicine

The Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) is a graduate-entry course that will allow you to have a rewarding career as a dentist, eligible for registration with the Dental Board of Australia.

www.sydney.edu.au

I hope this helps.

 

[dentistry123]

thank you for your suggestion


If I were you I'd apply the postgraduate degree (FFP/CSP) for 4 years.
Everyone knows that It's very hard to get high GPA from a Law degree. Usyd does not care of your GPA as long as you attained 'Credit' average. (5/7).
Also improving the score in GAMSAT is easier than Ucat because UCAT is valid 1 year and you can sit once a year only while the GAMSAT is held twice a year and the cut-off is not high for the FFP DMD.
Usyd is emphasizing on S1 and S2 not S3, I suppose you're strong at S1 and S2 because you're a lawyer.
There is NO interview for DMD course in Usyd and UniMelb.
If you do really well in Gamsat S1 and S2 (combined score 145 out 200) then you can secure a CSP of Medicine and Dentistry. If you can achieve high 60s in both S1 and S2, you're almost guaranteed to secure DMD FFP in Usyd. The fee is high (i.e mid 70K) but you can use 'HELP-FEE' loan up to 190K from next year.

Doctor of Dental Medicine

The Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) is a graduate-entry course that will allow you to have a rewarding career as a dentist, eligible for registration with the Dental Board of Australia.

www.sydney.edu.au

I hope this helps.

Sorry I only just saw this, thank you so much for putting in the time to respond, I appreciate it! That's interesting that Usyd doesn't care much about GPA as I know most other unis really emphasise it. I ended up enrolling in a bachelor degree at CSU to reset my WAM/GPA