A level results day 2021 support thread

I keep having to take deep breaths. Ds has asked me to go with him and wait for him outside. I'm going to have to put on such a brave face. I'll be sitting in my car outside trying to stay calm. It's probably better than sitting at home and fretting, and if he needs me there, then that where I'll be. He swings between being laid back that he'll do maths somewhere and worrying that there aren't that many clearing places. We've also talked about taking a year out and trying something different, but I don't think he can get his head around it.

Two more sleeps. Hoping we all get some sleep

[quote NotSorry]@ljmutti

Try and keep busy tomorrow, that’s how I cope

You’re not being a wimp, we all want the best for our DC and the last 18 months have been horrible for them - not the 6th form experience they should have had[/quote]
You aren’t being a wimp @ ljmutti. I feel the same. And I totally agree with you @NotSorry they haven’t had the 6th form experience at at all. Even after all these years my 6th form years ate still so powerful in memories, growing and good times. I went to uni and had a great time, but my 6th form years were so amazing. I feel so much for them all not having that. My DD spent her 18th bday in lockdown. They’ve have their youth robbed from them and can’t ever get it back. That’s why it feels just so important that they get to go and and experience this next stage.
Good luck to all our DC Tuesday. They deserve so much. Tomorrow is going to be a looooonng day xxxx

My DS has just announced that come what may, he definitely wants to take a gap year. It's not a bad decision really as not only is he very young for the year group, he's on the waiting list for an operation that we'd hoped would be done by now, but....well you know what ai'm going to say don't you?! We saw his surgeon a couple of weeks ago and he's no idea when it will be as operating capacity is so uncertain at present. It does make sense for him to be at home until it's done and he's recovered, but now we need to find out of either of his offers will defer his place. I guess there's no point in worrying about that until he's got the results though. If he doesn't get the grades the issue disappears and if by some miracle he does better than predicted he might prefer to reapply anyway. I'll just be glad when it's over. My eldest did a performing arts degree so her place was dependent on auditions rather than exam grades, so I've not had sleepless nights over A level results since my own in 1984!

i am absolutely churned up with anxiety today. My stomach is lurching.
I just want it over with so we can concentrate on what happens next.

@ljmutti

Try and keep busy tomorrow, that’s how I cope

You’re not being a wimp, we all want the best for our DC and the last 18 months have been horrible for them - not the 6th form experience they should have had

I think that its probably the culmination.of the last 18 months and everything that's happened since March 2020?

We've all been through so much. It's not surprising you feel overwhelmed.

Try and do something relaxing/that you enjoy tomorrow x

I suddenly found myself having a panic attack and sat crying . I feel so overwhelmed.Am I being a wimp?

Ds enjoyed his pizza and film trip.
Film was tripe but he enjoyed it.
I think he's going to see a friend tomorrow.
I'm seeing a friend too and have a massage booked ☺
2 more sleeps 😬

Thanks for your well wishes everyone. DD is a little better today and even managed to have a shower, although she is absolutely wiped out again now.

I've just scared myself by looking at UCAS clearing again and seeing that DD's course is no longer there! They must have removed it/filled all the places since getting the results in as it was still showing in clearing last week. She is hoping to do Modern History & Politics at Cardiff but if it's not in clearing anymore I guess that means less or no leeway for missed offer grades.

Oh well, what will be will be... with her current health issues it may be that she needs to wait a year anyway, but I so want her to get her grades/firm offer, it would be just the boost she needs right now.

[quote NotSorry]@Clearingpanic can see that by your user name

My DS2 ended up in clearing 2 years ago and he’s at a uni that I think in the end was a better fit for them than either of his firm or insurance. Even if your DC doesn’t get results/uni they hoped for, it will be ok. There are many paths and options they can take [/quote]
That's very true. Even though we had a difficult day on results day two years ago, I am relieved overall that DD ended up where she did (clearing place) - her firm choice would have been too full of high-flyers, I suspect, and also further away. She ended up at a uni that is commutable from home and that's what (for a number of reasons) she will be doing for her final year so it has worked out well.

Does anyone know what the difference is between the What Uni and the UCAS Clearing lists? They seem to have different courses showing. Somethings are showing in the WhatUni lists that aren't on the UCAS page. Any idea which is the most up to date or right?

I think in ‘normal’ years the universities receive the results the Friday before the students receive them on the following Thursday. So assuming they’ve had them sometime last week I’m guessing the universities know ( or are working through) what conditional offers have been met ( and what near misses they’re going to accept) ready for ucas updates on Tuesday morning and how many spaces potentially they may have on courses 🤷‍♀️

DS firm and insurance are both in clearing.
The subject grades stated on UCAS clearing for one uni are higher than those stated on the clearing page of the uni website itself?
I know this means the courses currently have spaces. Have they already factored in a certain % of students who wont be taking up their offer for whatever reason?

@Clearingpanic can see that by your user name

My DS2 ended up in clearing 2 years ago and he’s at a uni that I think in the end was a better fit for them than either of his firm or insurance. Even if your DC doesn’t get results/uni they hoped for, it will be ok. There are many paths and options they can take

Just checked Whatuni and the UCAS clearing site. DC course was in clearing last week and now isn't. Now really beginning to panic.

Dds firm is, which she won't be happy about but I am happy about

Ds's firm isn't on there 😬

The Whatuni site is really helpful. Thank you

Thank you for the Whatuni tip- just had a peep

Very helpful

Ds seems OK
I've not even mentioned clearing to him tbh
I'll deal with that when I need to 🥺

Back up plan: have only just convinced daughter to go on to Whatuni and check out what’s in clearing and might be available if she doesn’t get her grades so that she has a thought out back up plan for Tuesday, with all the relevant phone numbers, and isn’t panicked into making decisions. Obvs hoping she won’t need it!
It usefully tells you if you’re “likely” or “very likely” to be accepted for the course through clearing eg Manchester 128 ucas points “likely”.
She’s pleased she’s done it now, as she realises that there are a lot of good courses at good universities still available and the world won’t end if she doesn’t get her first choice!

[quote Oldowl]A useful video student video all about Clearing (how it works and advice).

Universities Not in Clearing (Aug 2021)

Bath - We don't expect to have any vacancies
Cambridge: No adjustment or clearing spaces. They do run a special adjustment scheme for rejected applicants meeting certain criteria, but you will have been contacted about this if eligible.
LSE: "We do not envisage being in adjustment or clearing this year."
Imperial: No clear statement as yet. Suggested wording that they won't be advertising Clearing vacancies.
Oxford: Does not participate in clearing, extra, or adjustment.
UCL: No statement yet - occasionally limited adjustment places.
St Andrews: Doesn't usually have clearing spaces.
Durham: No clearing or adjustment spaces.
Edinburgh: No clearing spaces.
Leeds: No clearing spaces.
KCL: No clearing or adjustment spaces.

Ds2 said to me today, oh, two days till results, which is the first time he has mentioned it. He is a bit of a closed book so it's hard to know what to say.

He has a (very wet!) sports fixture today so that may help take his mind off