Hey, it’s Aarij from Dention! 👋
Thanks for stopping by and spending the next few minutes with us. If you’re applying to medicine or dentistry in the UK, October is the month.
The UCAS deadline of 15th October is right around the corner, and for many of you it feels like everything is happening at once — your personal statement, predicted grades, UCAT results, teacher references, and on top of that… keeping up with A-levels.
Feeling overwhelmed? Totally normal. But here’s the good news: you don’t need to do everything at once. You just need to focus on the right things at the right time. That’s exactly what this article is about.
Here’s what we’ve got for you in in this article:
🎥 Crash Course Replay – Missed the live session on 1st October and still not sure what’s going on? Watch the recording for UCAT strategies, personal statement hacks, and uni shortlisting tips.
🎤 Mock MMI’s – Importance of practicing using realistic stations before the “real deal.”
📅 Deadline Survival Guide – GCSEs, UCAT, predicted grades: the 3 things you cannot afford to overlook before submitting.
🗣️ Interview Prep Tips – What to expect between Dec–Mar + how to start preparing now.
📚 Don’t Forget A-levels – At the end of the day, none of this matters without the grades.
1. The Crash Course – Replay Now Available
On 1st October 2025, we ran our first ever Crash Course online — and wow, what a session — just over 2 hours of no-nonsense information. We had students from all over the UK tuning in, asking brilliant questions, and taking pages of notes. It was honestly one of the best ways to kick off the application season.
We covered everything from UCAT strategies and personal statements to shortlisting unis and balancing it all with A-levels.
If you couldn’t make it live, don’t worry — we’ve uploaded the whole thing to YouTube so you can catch up in your own time, regardless of what application year you are applying for.
Here’s what we covered during the session:
UCAT strategy: We went through each section, breaking down how to deal with time pressure in Verbal Reasoning, how to speed up without losing accuracy in Quantitative Reasoning, and why it’s all about decision-making rather than “getting every question right.”
Personal statement hacks: We showed examples of what works (reflection, linking back to your motivation) and what doesn’t (lists of achievements without meaning).
Choosing universities wisely: Instead of just going for “big names,” we explained why you need to match your own profile (GCSEs, UCAT, predicted grades) to each uni’s selection process.
Managing priorities: Because yes, you’re balancing UCAS, A-levels, and interviews. We shared practical tips on how to divide your time so nothing falls through the cracks.
Live Q&A: Some of the most helpful moments came from your questions — like “What if my UCAT isn’t amazing?” or “Do I need hospital volunteering to stand out?”
💡 Pro tip: Don’t just let it play in the background. Pause, jot things down, and actually apply the strategies to your own situation. The replay is there to be used like a toolkit.
What you should take away (depending on your situation):
High UCAT scorers (top deciles): You’ve got more options, so play smart — apply to unis that are UCAT-heavy to maximise your chances.
Average UCAT scorers: Don’t panic. You can still be competitive by applying strategically to schools that balance UCAT with GCSEs or personal statement.
Lower UCAT scorers: Focus on schools that are more holistic and look carefully at GCSEs, predicted grades, or contextual offers. Use the Dention website to identify them.
2. Mock MMI Programme – Why You Should Register
Okay, fast forward a bit. You’ve submitted your UCAS application (phew) … and then what? Interviews.
The reality is, MMIs can make or break your application. They’re intense, fast-paced, and test so much more than just what you know. It’s about how you think, how you communicate, and how you handle pressure.
That’s exactly why we’re running our Mock MMI Programme. You’ll rotate through realistic stations, get put on the spot (in a safe way), and receive detailed feedback after each one.
Why wait until the “real deal” to find out where your weaknesses are? Practice now, adjust, and go into interviews knowing you’ve already been through the fire once.
3. The Dention Website – Your New Application Hub
Big news: the Dention website is live! 🎉
This is something we’ve been working on for a long time. The goal was simple: to give you a one-stop shop for UK undergraduate medicine and dentistry applications. No more piecing things together from outdated forums or random threads.
What’s inside:
University entry requirements: GCSE minimums, UCAT cut-offs, predicted grade thresholds.
Course styles explained: Traditional, integrated, problem-based learning — what’s the difference, and which suits you best?
Statistics and selection data: Competition ratios, previous cut-offs, and selection criteria in plain English.
Deadlines at a glance: No missed dates.
Guides: UCAT prep, interview frameworks, personal statement tips.
Events: Upcoming workshops and crash courses.
5. Interviews – The Next Big Step
Once you’ve submitted, don’t just sit back and relax. The next big hurdle is interviews, usually between December and March. That might feel far away, but the smart applicants start prepping now.
Here is some general advice for interview prep:
Know the format. Is it an MMI? A panel interview? Something in-between? Tailor your prep accordingly.
Expect the classics. “Why medicine?” “Why dentistry?” “Why this uni?” If you can’t answer those well, you’ll struggle.
Ethics & NHS knowledge. Be ready for scenarios around consent, confidentiality, resource allocation, or current NHS challenges.
Reflection. Your work experience isn’t about what you did but about what you learned.
💡 Tip: Check out the Dention website for breakdowns of how each uni runs their interviews — some are very structured, others less so. Knowing this in advance makes a big difference.
Start small: 10 minutes a day practising aloud. Build up gradually. By December, you’ll thank yourself.
👉 And if you want more structured support, keep an eye on the Dention website for upcoming interview events and workshops.
6. Don’t Lose Focus on A-Levels
With UCAS deadlines, personal statements, and interview prep all shouting for your attention, it’s so easy to let your A-levels slip into the background. But here’s the hard truth: none of this matters if you don’t get the grades.
Your A-levels are the foundation. They’re what turn an offer into a place. Universities don’t compromise on this. You could smash the UCAT, ace your interview, and still lose out if your A-level results don’t meet the conditions.
So while the application process feels urgent right now, don’t forget what matters most in the long run. Keep your eye on the exams.
Tips to keep them on track:
Active recall: Quiz yourself regularly instead of rereading notes.
Spaced repetition: Don’t leave it all until the last month — build knowledge steadily.
Set boundaries: When you’re revising A-levels, put UCAS aside. Give each priority its time.
Stay consistent: Small daily effort beats last-minute panic every time.
Think of A-levels as the final boss. You can’t beat the game without them.
7. UCAS Application Checklist
Here’s your no-nonsense checklist before 15th October:
✅ Checked GCSE requirements for all choices
✅ Compared UCAT score against previous cut-offs
✅ Confirmed predicted grades with teachers
✅ Uploaded final personal statement
✅ References requested and confirmed
✅ Four choices made strategically (optional 5th for a backup course)
✅ UCAS submitted before 15th October
✅ Double-checked everything on the Dention website (entry stats, course styles, acceptance ratios)
Screenshot this. Stick it on your desk. It’s your reminder not to miss anything.
Final Thoughts
I know this time of year feels like a whirlwind. You’re trying to balance UCAS, interviews, and A-levels, all while keeping your sanity. But you don’t have to do it all at once. Break it down. Prioritise. Take one step at a time.
And remember: you’re not on this journey alone. Thousands of applicants are in the same boat, and Dention will be right here with you, guiding you through each stage.
You’ve got this. Keep going.
Aarij from Dention