Milarna’s Story

Name: Milarna

Hometown: St Austell

Previous School: Penrice

Course: BTEC Applied Science Biomedical Diploma

What’s Next: Plymouth University to study Dentistry.

Milarna’s fantastic triple D*D*D* in her BTEC Applied Science Diploma has led to her becoming the first BTEC student from the College to get into a highly competitive Dentistry course at Plymouth University.

Milarna was always drawn to Truro College before attending: “A lot of people were saying good things about the College. I like that it’s big and has a lot of subjects, it was the best fit for me.”

The Applied Science Biomedical Diploma allowed Milarna to do coursework to boost her grades, which was a method of assessment that she preferred. She said: “I liked how the BTEC allowed you to learn throughout the year. On the BTEC you learn through assignments, and I do better with assignment work. It made me feel like I had more control over my grades.”

Dentistry course places, like all Allied Health and Medics related courses, are highly competitive. Milarna received lots of support from her lecturers during her time in college, which she greatly appreciated: “My lecturers Maria and Rosie were two of my biggest supporters for my application. Maria went out of her way to help me, recommending me for work experience with an ex-student of hers. Rosie was my first-year lecturer who recommended that I do a Nuffield research placement.”

Nuffield Research Placements allow students to make a meaningful contribution towards an organisation through independent research collaborations in STEM areas. Milarna said it was very beneficial to her University application: “I got to see the role of research and I also got to meet one of the lecturers who will be teaching on my course! I think it helped my application quite a lot, as it was in the University and I had already done some work there.”

Milarna was delighted to receive two offers from Plymouth University, one offering Dentistry with a Foundation year and the other offering Dental Hygiene with a Foundation year. “I got 102 points in my original interview and the cut-off point for a guaranteed place was 103, and it was really frustrating! It meant I was put on the wait list in case someone didn’t make their target grades or if someone drops out of their place. I was at the top of the wait list, but I wasn’t sure if I would get in.

“I was actually on hold with their main office to find out if I could get in when they called me to offer me a place on the two courses and I accepted a place on the Dentistry course! I was planning to reapply next year, but everyone wants to get in on the first try. It’s not common, but luckily I did!”

Milarna gave inspirational advice for future students who want to apply for Medics and Allied Health courses: “Just go for it! There’s no harm in just giving it a go. Medics and Allied Health courses are very competitive to get into but put your mind to it and go for it because you’ll never know if you don’t try.

“Do your best in the interviews for those courses; it’s not only a judgement of your academic skills but also of you as a character to see if you’re the best fit for the course.”

Milarna will now spend 6 years studying Dentistry with a Foundation year to kickstart her career as a dentist. “I’ll be graduating as part of the class of 2029!”