A level results day 2021 support thread

@Bryonyshcmyony and @cptartapp

You might get better answers if you post or look on the higher education board, there are some very knowledgeable people over there and I wouldn't like to give bum information

For those in the know, if DS course is in clearing at this point is that a good sign?
I know it means there are places, but does it mean they may be more likely to accept a dropped grade?
And are there places because they've not given enough offers to fill the course, or that they expect a certain % not to take up the place and that they were not that heavily oversubscribed in the first place.
DS has offers for a popular course (Geography) at good uni's and both are in clearing which surprises me?!

Dd2 is refusing to look at clearing so I think I might have to secretly look for her - although she's deferred so her offer is for September 2022. If she misses her offer and back up (stupidly the same grades as firm don't ask) what do we do? Reapply? I'm presuming clearing is for 2021 entry only? She has a job lined up for her gap year so doesn't want to go in September.

Third DC going through it here. DC2 had to go through clearing. The process is straight forward, but DC2 was not. Some of the stress wouldn't happen now, back then Maths and FM had interchangeable modules and DC2s had been put together wrong, giving her an incorrect (lower) grade.

DC2 should be straightforward, he has a dropped offer from his firmed choice, but he would still be upset not to get the results he was aiming for.

Can I join you? It has just struck DD that she has a week to go until D day.

In any other year we'd be more confident but there has been so much chopping and changing. First her school said that her results would be taken 100% from their own exams in May then later decided to include in class tests from Y13 and Y12 too.

I just want to know now so that we can deal with it.

Like Georgie8 suggested, DS waited for UCAS before going to get his results so he knew he was in before getting the actual grades. It did make it easier.

Hello all, good to hear all your stories (sorry for what your ds has had to deal with @ablutiions) and I would like to have some virtual solidarity too :)

DS2 is number three child but it's still stressful. DD went through clearing two years ago, and if anyone here is looking at that maybe, then my advice is to be realistic and only contact unis with a likely offer. Some websites were better than others too.

DS2 needs AAB to go to Loughborough to study biological sciences; his insurance is the same offer (!) at Leeds. Crossing fingers. He has fully retreated into grumpy teen mode (tho some would say, no change there) and it's hard to get a civil word out of him atm. Sigh.

Hi Everyone
I have DD1 awaiting A level results on 10th and then DD2 GCSEs on the 12th - yay . DD1 needs an A and 2 Bs for her first choice but is still undecided whether she will actually go to Uni this year or not. She seems pretty chilled and is planning to hit the town on Tuesday night regardless of whether it is to celebrate or commiserate.
On the other hand DD2 has always been a high achiever and puts herself under an enormous amount of pressure and is extremely tough on herself if she perceives she has "failed" which in her eyes would be anything less than an 8. So bizarrely, I am much more nervous about the GCSE results than then A-levels right now.

Hi I’d like to join as well please

Ds2 needs BBC to get into southampton, he is a bright boy and should get an A or A* for one subject…but its a toss up between a B and a C for the other two

He did a number of exams but obviously they were well early!

Good luck to everyone here and fingers crossed

Good luck to all, its been such such difficult time for them. DD needs her predicted AAA and we're hoping for an A in her EPQ as well although not needed for her uni place.

I am glad your son is now well ablutiions. I hope he has a wonderful time at university. I also hope he doesn't feel that he is 'going to a third rate place' - to achieve a third rate degree. Sorry, I am sure you have had a difficult and worrying time but dismissive comments like that make me despair.

@Mrs08 it’s been a horrid time for them hasn’t it?
Uncertainty is absolutely horrible and goalposts changing is unfair.

A massage and bottle of wine for Monday evening sounds like an excellent plan!!

@ablutiions I am sorry to hear this - but very glad he is now well. It sounds like he’s done extremely well to get to where he is and whichever university and degree he is hoping for will be a superb experience and will open other doors too

Fingers crossed for all our young people (and for us). at the ready!!

Dd is so anxious. She needs AAB and an A in Epq.

God I'm dreading it. DS has decided to take himself off on a little holiday so won't be at home on the 10th.we will have to rely on him calling us.

He had an awful time of 6th form and went from high achiever to U grades in a single year. After a psychiatrist intervention he improved and got mentally well but TBH it's anyone's guess what grades he will get.

Sincerely hoping that he gets what he wants (but still only to go to a 3rd rate place doing a generic degree vs the medicine track he was on originally) .

I know it will be alright in the end. He's a lovely chap. Kind intelligent and hard working. But I'm so very nervous for him.

Good luck to everyone!

Placemarking. DS2 gets GCSE results on Thursday too.
Stressful week!

@alilisbel 2018 sounds much more relaxing!

@olliepolly I’m pretty sure I read UCAS becomes available again from 8.30am but I can imagine it’s tricky to get on if so many are trying at once which will be a nightmare!

I should know what I am doing as it is the turn of DS youngest of 3!
Covid has made everything so uncertain and school have played it so straight that we have no idea what the outcome will be next week.
Think on this occasion we will check track first before going off to school. Can anyone tell me what time track actually opens on 10th and does it often crash on results day? He needs AAA for firm and an unlikely 2x A * A for insurance ( don’t ask )

Students can check their ucas track account from 8am (I think) on the 10th and see their university confirmation (or not 😳). Doesn’t tell them their grades, just whether they’ve been accepted, but will mentally prepare them before going to collect their results.