Advice For Clearing and Adjustment
Once again it is hard to escape media discussion of A Level Results Day. We hope today's news item will give our pupils information on how to react to tomorrow's results, should the outcome be worse or better than expected.
Every year, correctly, we are very proud of everything our U6th has achieved both in and out of the classroom and say that future lecturers and employers will be very privileged to meet them. A piece of paper with grades tomorrow does not replace everything they have achieved in the years beforehand.
Last year, Will Hine just missed the grades he needed for his first and second choice university and therefore was eligible for Clearing. He kindly wrote this account of his experiences, with advice for anyone facing Clearing this year:
'So, Clearing. Where to begin? That horrible word which sends a shiver down every undergraduate-wannabe's spine! The most important thing I learnt from Results Day is, if you get the results you didn’t want (or even did want) and the universities you applied to 'unfortunately cannot accept you', then do not give up hope!
It sounds awfully clichéd, but it really is the truth. I missed out on my insurance choice by 1 mark, yes, 1 mark! You can imagine how distraught I was. But with commitment and persistence, and the neverending support from school, which really did help an awful lot that day, I ended up being offered a place at Manchester University just 3 hours after opening that dreaded envelope.
In hindsight, I am now attending an even better university than the two I had originally applied for. If you are even slightly apprehensive the night before, make sure you note down the Clearing hotline number of your firm and insurance choices, plus any numbers of universities you could be interested in.
Make sure you have access to a computer at all times along with a pen and paper, as this proves vital in the race against time to find an offer. Instead of using the universities' clearing lines, I went onto their websites and found their main landline which connected me to the department a lot quicker, without being put on hold. It also showed initiative, something absolutely key during this chaotic process.
Utilise the Daily Telegraph’s Clearing app, as this shows every university with clearing spaces, the number of spaces and the courses available with those spaces- vital information.
So now you have a list of universities you want to contact, think about what you’re going to say and how you’re going to come across on the phone line. First impressions are vital, even if you have 3 A*s.
Be composed, make it clear what you’re trying to achieve and most importantly be patient. It will be a very stressful day, and I can admit myself that I was considering giving up before I rang up Manchester, however I persisted and am now attending the same course in the same year as I had originally planned, just at a better university!
If successful, they will give you a verbal offer 'yes' along with two codes- the course code and the university code- which will then be used later on in the day to apply via the UCAS Clearing website (usually around 5pm).
Now the best thing to do during this time is to go on the university website, check out the accommodation, find out if the course is actually what you want to do and visit any Facebook pages that can give you more of an insight into what the university is like.
Once you’ve entered all the details and applied on the Clearing website, just sit back, relax and wait. They won’t accept your offer straightaway, but don’t fret, imagine the number of applications they must have to process. As long as you have received a verbal offer on the phone and entered the correct details, you will be offered a place.'
Mr Mark Woodward (Head of Careers), who was Will's tutor, has spoken to him during the year and has confirmed that he is thoroughly enjoying the course at Manchester and everything has worked out really well. Mr Woodward added:
'For those who just miss an offer, the first couple of hours tomorrow are horrible. I have seen all emotions on Results Day, but my overriding memories are of people like Will who have made positive decisions on the day and never looked back. Within moments, they have moved from shock and upset to total joy and relief, so if you know Clearing is in play, please do not lose heart.
My Clearing advice never changes: act calmly but decisively, using all the careful research skills you used initially in the UCAS application. Have all your paperwork and Track information to hand, including your original Personal Statement, charge your phone up and prepare to be patient with any phone calls you make. Universities will be ready to answer enquiries from 7am onwards in most cases!
If the vibe of new arrangements does not feel right, the benefits of a gap year (or even two) are very firmly promoted by Bablake's Careers department, which always asks students never to settle for second best and instead always choose the best employer, best course or best university to suit them!
Pupils who have missed their initial offer are usually best placed to contact the university concerned first before panicking as Track has in previous years been understandably hard to access to see updated decisions made by universities. It is meant to be up and running by 8am this year, but do not rely on that!
News reports this year are again saying more universities than usual will be participating in Clearing too, so there will be plenty of excellent options available for those able to act decisively and quickly.
Universities which have originally offered pupils a place very often are also able to offer alternative courses that may be close to the original choice and would allow transfer back later in the degree.
If possible, make sure you visit a new option and check all the facilities and accommodation just as earlier in the year with original choices. Many universities will be holding mini Open Days on Friday and Saturday.
Finally, there is some excellent Clearing advice online and I would again highly recommend the following resources, if you want a measured view of how to approach Clearing:
1 UCAS Clearing- official guide to Clearing.
2 Which University- superb 'Survivor's Guide' that includes tips from admissions tutors.
3 I Could- useful articles with advice on how to approach Clearing.
4 Not Going To Uni- sensible alternative options: e.g. apprenticeships and sponsored degrees.
5 Gapyear.com- perfect place to assess the excellent opportunities in the UK and abroad for a purposeful gap year.
6 The Guardian- positive, clear advice.
7 The Daily Telegraph- official listings; advice and news of a useful free app that will have Clearing vacancies listed.
The Daily Telegraph posted an excellent piece on how to approach Clearing here.
I am sorry to concentrate so fully on Clearing, which the vast majority of pupils, of course, will not be affected by! Some may also want to look at Adjustment (a five day period that starts once you register via Track), if results have gone better than planned and you have exceeded your original offer.
Your original UF choice will be safe while you're looking for another- you'll only lose it, if you confirm you'd like to go elsewhere and the new university or college adds themselves to your application. Adjustment does allow pupils to upgrade their aspirations but needs very careful thought and guidance.
I hope the day runs smoothly for all of our pupils but be reassured the Senior Management Team (including Mrs Tumber- Head of 6th Form) and Careers Department will be around for any help needed!'
As always, should parents and pupils need extra assistance with results, there will be a very strong team of support available in school tomorrow (from 8am), Friday (from 9am) and early next week. It is always worth ringing 024-7627-1200 though to make an appointment for a specific time.
Footnote
Results for our A2 pupils will be distributed from 8am in the Main Hall, while the AS candidates are able to collect them from 10am. Any pupil who cannot collect results tomorrow will have them posted to them after lunch.
