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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask who has a plan B for A level results tomorrow?

116 replies

doctoratsea · 17/08/2016 12:12

Feeling slightly anxious, not as much as DD though, who does not want to talk about it.

Plan B ideas for a back up, or AIBU to be thinking this way?

OP posts:
raspberryrippleicecream · 17/08/2016 22:59

Plan B is clearing, but DS firm and insurance have massively dropped their grades in clearing do hopefully won't need it.

blinkowl · 17/08/2016 23:04

I'm working on the phones for clearing at my uni tomorrow. We're expecting calls from 7am - we have to be there at 6:45am.

Just about to book a cab to the station - got to get up at 5-something to get there on time!

Remember clearing is largely first come, first served, your DC should phone in as early as they can.

It's the same for the unis though - they want their phone lines open early so they catch the keenest students.

springwaters · 17/08/2016 23:29

Last year track didn't open until 8am. Believe me, we kept trying it. DD had an email from her uni at 7.30am congratulating her on her place do she knew she was in before getting her results which made life less stressful.

Just looked at an email from DS school. They said their 1st students got their uni offers by logging on to UCAS a few minutes after 7am last year but they stress it can vary year by year. It was about 7.40 I think the year before for my daughter. Facebook and twitter just went crazy.

blinkowl · 18/08/2016 05:48

Good luck this morning everyone! I hope you / your DC get the grades they want or if not a brilliant place through clearing.

On my way to work at clearing now. Got up at 4:45am this morning, ouch!

watchingthedetectives · 18/08/2016 05:52

Sit it out. Try clearing and if no good then go for a gap year doing something other than just travelling partying for the whole year. DS2 did this and ended up with 5 unconditional offers including one from his top university ( and they had rejected him first time round)
You just have to hold your nerve - and it is very nerve wracking!
Good luck

LellyMcKelly · 18/08/2016 06:19

I work in a university, so here's a couple of options you might want to explore:

If you have your heart set on a course/university and don't get the points, or even if you didn't get an offer from them in the first place, or even if you didn't put them down in your preferences in the first place, give them a call first thing anyway. This is obviously more likely to be successful if you're within a few points of the required grades, but do not be scared of calling them. Universities want to say yes to potential students. Students need to make the call - not their mums! When you call, show enthusiasm and willingness to learn. Mention how much you want to do X at their university. Treat it like a job interview.

If your grades are a lot lower than you expected look at the requirements for other universities. You may still be able to do the kind of course you want.

Consider doing a HND - you can then transfer onto a the final year of a degree programme at the end of it provided your HND marks are good. Your degree still takes 3 years overall - and works out a little bit cheaper as HND fees are lower.

Many universities offer a foundation year for those whose grades are lower - it's 4 years and therefore costs more, but it's a great option for many.

Resit A levels - for competitive courses like medicine, you need to get the top grades before they'll consider you.

Good luck everyone! And remember - just call. We really do want to help!

Carrados · 18/08/2016 06:21

Clearing? There's all sorts of good unis in clearing. A lot of the universities in London e.g. Birkbeck which does evening study on UCAS.

SidneyPiecrust · 18/08/2016 06:24

Good luck everyone.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 18/08/2016 06:33

Ds2 fluffed it here. Needed BBB got BCD. Bit stunned and a very gloomy household. Good luck to everyone else.

VanillaSugar · 18/08/2016 06:37

Hello, a mum here. How find out the grades for a 7am Clearing start of the english/Welsh grades aren't released until 8am???????

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 18/08/2016 06:39

DS had his through at a minute past midnight. It varies then?

VanillaSugar · 18/08/2016 06:51

Through what? Email?

VeryFoolishFay · 18/08/2016 07:08

We had an email direct from the university last year at 7am confirming the place. Neither of my older children hit their required grades but were offered their first choice uni and course - so don't panic!!

VanillaSugar · 18/08/2016 07:11

Ok, she's just this second got an unconditional confirmed place at her insurance choice. Does this mean that she hasn't got her first choice?

FatalFemme · 18/08/2016 07:12

Good luck to all Flowers

HidingFromDD · 18/08/2016 07:23

throughthickandthin - I feel for you, was there with DD1 2 years ago. She dropped from ABB to BBC and missed both firm and insurance. Ring all the unis who you might be interested in and see if there's any clearing places. Look particularly at any of the original selections who made an offer, DD1 eventually went to one that was on her list but not firm/insurance.

She absolutely loves it there and thinks it was the best outcome but it was a really stressful day!!!

blinkowl · 18/08/2016 07:26

No idea Vanilla sorry but best to be sure before accepting!

PastaPrincess · 18/08/2016 07:53

Good luck to everyone today!

SlinkyVagabond · 18/08/2016 07:53

Dd in tears, didn't get her first choice, but doesn't know yet what she's got. Really got her mind set against insurance.God.

blueyou22 · 18/08/2016 08:00

Just wanted to say good luck to all those DC getting their results today and all those supportive parents who are trying not to appear too concerned! This is the first year in six we have not been waiting on results having had 2 DCs sitting varies exams and being a teacher I fully understand the pressure.
If things don’t go according to plan you have to move fast.
My DD missed her grades a couple of years ago and was devastated. The hard part was getting her to face up to it and sit her down and start calling the Uni’s from the UCAs list ASAP to secure a place elsewhere as they go very fast. If unsure about the Uni especially if your DC did not go to an open day or investigate the course before results be ready to jump in the car and go to the Unis this weekend as most will have a clearing open morning this Saturday. Make sure the accommodation is where you DC want it and the price you can afford as clearing students are sometimes offered the most expensive accommodation. It’s really worth calling the accommodation office a number of times. It’s really important for fresher’s to be as close to the Uni hub as possible so they can really involve their selves in activities especially those who have arrived via clearing as they often feel compromised.
I know my DD felt stupid and didn’t want to see her friends, most who had got their places. She was very upset, withdraw from social media and just wanted to shut herself in her room! Thankfully her loyal friends came around on day 4 and she realised that it had not been all plain sailing for them either. However be there to sort out lists for them, even call if they are too upset to dial. The Uni clearing centres are very understanding however they have grades which must be upheld.
She secured a place at Kent who were fantastic but decided on the moving in weekend, car packed , not to go as she wanted to resit. She is now very happy at York Uni, which I recommend, doing a completely different course, which she loves, than she intended to do at 17 and has returned to her positive self, reflecting how it worked out for the best!!!

Keep away from other parents and just get on with the job, and it really is a very important one, of supporting you DCs as they really need you today.
Good luck I will be thinking of you all.

SidneyPiecrust · 18/08/2016 08:04

Nice post blue. Anymore results yet? Waiting to hear from dd with her as results here.

TheWoollybacksWife · 18/08/2016 08:06

Slinky that happened to DD1 4 years ago. She went into school knowing that she hadn't made the grades for her first choice but had a place at her insurance - but now didn't want to go there. She collected her results and went home to see what clearing had to offer.

She ended up at a uni that she had applied to originally. It had offered the same course as 1st choice (and wanted the same grades) but wasn't one of her top two for a number of reasons including being too close to home and she thought she wouldn't get the whole uni experience.

I won't say it wasn't a very stressful 48 hours as she was waiting to be released by her insurance choice and she spent hours on the phone and her laptop but she had a wonderful time at university.

Good luck to all. DD2 still in bed Hmm

Stillunexpected · 18/08/2016 08:08

Great post Blue. Would you consider reposting to the A level results thread which seems to be more active than this one?

blueyou22 · 18/08/2016 08:13

My DD had the same experience 2 years ago. I know a D for Russell Groups is normally a rejection even if the rest are higher. Make sure your daughter does not jump at the first Uni she's accepted into.
Ring around and go to visit this weekend if you can.
Thinking of you

Original poster
doctoratsea · 18/08/2016 08:19

UPDATE: PLAN B - Not required... first choice confirmed on UCAS track at 7.30am today - off to school now to pick up results. DD is breathing again!

Good luck to everyone else today

OP posts:
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