Clearing

[iamdisappointedinyou]

DD probably won't get her A Level grades so she will have to go into Clearing.
What will impress admissions staff when we phone up? Do they only look at grades & PS or do other things count? If so, what?

[muddleduck]

depends a bit on her sitation.

Is there a particular reason that she has not done as well as she had hoped?
Is she likely to appying for the same subject that she initially applied for?
What range of grades does she think she will get?

Some general hints...

1. compile in advance a list of unis that she is interested in that she knows do clearing with info on their usual required grades. If there is somewhere she is particularly keen on she could email the admissions tutor asking them to confirm that they will be entering clearing.
   
   
2. any direct contact with the unis should come from her (not you )
   
   
3. Be realistic - things are going to be VERY tough this year

[ommmward]

"Be realistic - things are going to be VERY tough this year"

yes to that. Many universities didn't make as many offers as normal, and many are going to be less able to accept people who don't make their advertised grades. HEFCE are going to be fining universities something like £10,000 per student above that university's quota. Big incentive to the univesrities not to overshoot.

[vinblanc]

The most important factor, alongside grades, is passion for the subject. If she can communicate this, she will be in with a good chance. She needs evidence for passion, such as work experience and reading.

[iamdisappointedinyou]

bump

[clam]

DH's university dept isn't going to clearing at all this year. Oversubscribed already. Not sure about elsewhere, but things are tough out there and they can afford to be very strict on UCAS points.

[ConstantlyCooking]

Fingers crossed for your DD.

[iamdisappointedinyou]

Thanks for the thought but she lived up to my posting name.

[ConstantlyCooking]

Poor DD. Wishing her and you lots of luck finding the right course through clearing or with re-takes/Gap year.
One thought about retakes if her results are really bad: many years ago DH had disappointing A level results, but went through clearing to Uni where he developed a passion for his subject and went on to take a Masters. He found a job quickly and had a good career but when he decided to change careers a few years ago, his applications were thrown out because he did not meet the minimum ucas point requirements. Some big firms use IT programmes that automatically reject those who do not reach a certain level before a real person even sees the CV.