5th Year Medical Student at Queen Mary, University of London BARTS
Hi, I’m Shubham, a final-year medical student at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry. My passion for medicine began with witnessing the meaningful and lasting impact that doctors have on the lives of individuals and their communities. I knew early on that I wanted a career that challenged me, pushed me to grow, and allowed me to make a tangible difference every day—not one spent solely behind a desk
My passion for medicine began with witnessing the meaningful and lasting impact that doctors have on the lives of individuals and their communities. I knew early on that I wanted a career that challenged me, pushed me to grow, and allowed me to make a tangible difference every day—not one spent solely behind a desk.
Applying to medical school was an exciting yet daunting journey, and I still remember how overwhelming it felt at the time. Through strategic planning, tailored applications, and extensive research, I was fortunate to receive offers from all the schools I applied to, giving me the freedom to choose the best place to pursue my training.
The true challenge was the balancing act trying to juggle the intensity of the UCAT and interviews without letting my grades slip at uni. It is easy to feel like you have to sacrifice one for the other, but I realised the difficulty usually lies in the strategy, not just the workload. With the right structure in place, it is actually completely achievable to excel at both without burning out.
My biggest tip for prospective students is don’t think you have figure out a whole new system to get into dental school. There is a proven roadmap that current students have already walked and achieved. So my advice is to network with people who have actually done it, and seek advice from them and follow the steps that work.
Jainish Patel (BDS4) - Graduate Entry Dentistry at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry.
For me, dentistry sits at a unique intersection it creates a space where science, photography, surgery, arts, and engineering all overlap. Not only does dentistry provide the opportunity to specialise in the head and neck region from the outset, but it also allows me to create a tangible impact on patients. Additionally, I was searching for a profession defined by constant change, where no two interactions are ever the same and I’m always being challenged to adapt.
Getting that first offer was a mix of relief and immense pressure. Since my journey hadn't been linear as I had been rejected in two previous cycles, so finally getting a 'yes' felt like a massive breakthrough. However, it was also a reality check because I knew I still had to perform in my final exams to actually secure the grades.
The true challenge was the balancing act trying to juggle the intensity of the UCAT and interviews without letting my grades slip at uni. It is easy to feel like you have to sacrifice one for the other, but I realised the difficulty usually lies in the strategy, not just the workload. With the right structure in place, it is actually completely achievable to excel at both without burning out.
My biggest tip for prospective students is don’t think you have figure out a whole new system to get into dental school. There is a proven roadmap that current students have already walked and achieved. So my advice is to network with people who have actually done it, and seek advice from them and follow the steps that work.
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