Results day Thursday, getting my ducks in a row

[Acacia123]

Despite being expected to do very well in his A-Levels and working very hard, DS came out of the majority of his exams disappointed and upset - he is convinced he has done badly (and checking the marking schemes at home afterwards confirmed his fears).  Its been a long summer waiting for results day.  

He is my eldest and I’ve absolutely no idea or experience of university applications - but I’m scared witless by tales of mad rushes for university places and I don’t want him to miss out because we don’t react quickly enough or we did the wrong thing.

So I want to get a plan so that we’re not scrabbling around looking for passwords, user names, reference numbers, telephone numbers etc. and we know exactly what our plan of action is if he doesn’t get the grades for his offers.

I wondered if anyone out there who’s had experience might have any hints or tips or could let me know if I’m on completely the wrong tack.

My plan is:

1.  Phone first choice university and explain hasn’t made the grades they want, but will they accept him anyway?  I presume we phone university direct?
2.  Phone second, third and fourth choices (in that order) and do as above.
3.  Phone UCAS and I guess ‘go through clearing’ whatever that entails.  

Also - please let me know if I’m getting myself into a state about nothing and it’s just a simple case of getting on the phone and sorting it out calmly.

Thanks so much!

[BizzyFizzy]

Hi, Acacia,

I recommend you join us on this thread //www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/2994725-Its-August-the-countdown-begins

One thing I have just told DD to do is to find her certificates from last year, as universities may not have these results.

He is the one that has to do any phoning

[SuburbanRhonda]

Agree he has to do the phoning.

This is recommended by UCAS as it is only your son who can discuss with them what he is happy to accept, if anything.

There was an excellent guide to clearing on last Saturday's Guardian - so you know anyone who might have it?

[SuburbanRhonda]

I can send it to you if you want

[LIZS]

Does the school/college offer support? You will know early in the morning whether he has a place via UCAS tracker, probably prior to receiving the actual results. Only once he has collected them (each centre varies on timing and system) can he start on Clearing which iirc opens at 8am. At dc school those missing their offers can arrive earlier to collect results and use school computers with staff on hand to assist. It is important that calls , emails etc come from your ds not you.Often admissions offcers from a department will need to call back. He may need to do phone interviews or arrange to visit. Good luck!

[Acacia123]

Thanks all....Yes I realise he has to do the calling but I know him and he will need 'guidance' (!)....am reading the other thread and not feeling much better, most seem to be expecting to get their grades....it's just awful sitting and waiting, just want it over. School less than helpful, I have to say...

[SuburbanRhonda]

Pm me if you want it, OP - I'm just on my way out.

In the kindest possible way, try not to pass on your anxieties to your son - he will need to be focused if he misses his grades.

[Acacia123]

Thanks Suburban, let me see.if I can locate it, if not I might take you up on that offer....

[Piglet208]

Try not to panic! The teachers at my son's school were great at helping. My son's gf didn't get her grades or a place. She phoned the uni from the school and they offered her a place on a different course. It is just a case of making phone calls and the people at the other end are very experienced.

[titchy]

Don't bother phoning firm or insurance - if they'd wanted him with his grades they'd have accepted him. Get a list together tomorrow of possibilities - look at websites of universities and an idea of their clearing offers (not all will have their clearing offers listed, but if they don't then you can probably consider them worth a go if their standard offer is within a grade of what he gets).

He will need to get his actual results first though before phoning so up early!

[Acacia123]

(Phone seems to post in triplicate - apologies)....great advice, thanks all, found guardian article online and it is very helpful. So, up early, check UCAS tracking for first indication, off to school for results then home for phone calls.

I'm keeping a lid on it at home, don't worry. Just needed.somewhere to vent :-)

Now, will press the upload button ONCE!

[MeredithLogue]

Don't panic, grade boundaries have been lowered this year so all may not be.lost. as others have said check track then go to school\college and let staff help, they know what to do. Good luck for Thursday.

[Couchpotato3]

And do remember that it is not imperative for him to get a place for this year. Rather than rushing into something that he may not actually like or want to do, there is always the option of taking a year out and reapplying next year, either with the grades he has (in which case, you can be realistic about which courses he can get on to) or with retakes and improved grades. Also remember that any seriously wonky results can be re-marked if need be.

Don't let him be rushed into accepting anything just for the sake of getting a place somewhere. Only go for courses that he actually wants to study, otherwise you could have a very unhappy kid on your hands by Christmas who regrets a hasty decision taken in the next few days.

[dingit]

Also look at the student room, what to do on results day.

I'm with you by the way, very nervous that dd won't make her grades.

[Lancelottie]

I was just going to say that a year out is often a great plan! They can get so caught up in A-levels that getting any place starts to be the goal.

DS had places lined up to do architecture, got the results, changed his mind, took a gap year and is now doing a different subject at a different uni.

One of my nephews applied for theoretical physics, missed the grades, had a big rethink and is starting sound engineering this September.

Younger son appears to be heading for a Gap Life at present. If he does ever decide to apply, it'll probably be as a mature student. The straightforward route isn't the only one or even the best.

[BackforGood]

How did he get on ?

[Acacia123]

Well, not too bad after all. Not good enough for first choice uni but good enough for insurance place...so off to Cardiff. Massive relief :-)

[BackforGood]

Excellent news for you. Well done him.
Cardiff is a great City for students, and a lovely City to visit too.

[Acacia123]

To be honest, it was my first choice :-) And it's only about an hour and a half / two hours from home, so just about right! Now to work out what he needs...

[Acacia123]

Backforgood - were you waiting for results today and how did it go?

[BackforGood]

Yes - dd got hers today and has been offered a place at her first choice


...... good job really, as her first choice gave her the lowest offer

[Acacia123]

Wow that's great! Where is she going, if you don't mind me asking? Well, I think we'll all be getting a better nights sleep tonight!

[SuburbanRhonda]

Well done to your son!

Maybe this is the time for him to start being more independent.

Get him applying for accommodation first, updating his student finance application and making a list of things he needs.