going through clearing

[swimmer4]

ds is being VERY aspirational where he wants to go for uni - which is fine by us except there doesn't seem to be any drive on his part to get what he needs to go there. He's done well in his AS's (really well - proud parents etc etc) however he doesn't quite have the grades he needs.
He could possibly reach what he needs next year in his A2's but there'd have to be a step change in his effort.
Unfortunately because he can only choose 2 out of the 5 unis he puts on his UCAS form (if they actually give him offers)- he may well not get in and would therefore have to go through clearing. (his idea)
We are concerned that despite high grades the clearing system only has lesser level courses/unis up for grabs and he'd be saying yes just for the sake of getting on a degree course.

In people's experience what is the calibre of the uni's /courses that come through on clearing?

[titchy]

Very subject dependent but most of the RG were in clearing this year. Didn't you check - it was only last week!

[Noregretsatall]

My dad went through clearing two years ago and I can honestly say she's never looked back! She got a quality course at a top 50 uni, is currently achieving a First, hods positions of responsibility within uni/ extra curricular activities activities and has a wide friendship group.

[Noregretsatall]

Dd not dad obvs! ????

[swimmer4]

Thanks titchy - we're on a very steep learning curve here - didn't know clearing would be visible on-line to everyone - but I do now!
He's only done his AS's but we're just thinking ahead so if and when he asks what he does if he comes unstuck we've got some helpful suggestions

[swimmer4]

That's reassuring Noregretsatall - thanks for that - it's good to hear real & recent examples

[WhatWas]

He doesn't need to choose his firm and insurance until next spring - I can't remember the date offhand but it's surprisingly late. So it gives him plenty of time to see how things are going.
Have he visited many unis yet? It might motivate him if he has a firm goal in mind.

[JanetBlyton]

Schools are usually pretty good at making sure the insurance offer you accept is somewhere you are likely to get into. My older children who got into their first choice had a much easier to get into back up just in case.