When 5 becomes 2 - UCAS offers.

[TimeForBedWhenever]

My ds has just sent off her ucas form. What happens when/if she gets some offers? Does she have to narrow it to 2, are they in order and does she have to enter into a formal agreement with them......... we are quietly hopeful that she may do better than her as grades and so can she go back and pitch more universities in clearing? Thanks all.

Not sure what you mean by 'in order'...

Yes she will have to pick two - one firm and one insurance out of however many offers she gets. She has till May to do this.

If she gets better grades than expected there MAY be the opportunity for a place in 'Adjustment' (sim to clearing), but only if the particular institution she's interested in still has vacancies. Broad rule of thumb - the higher the standard offer and more popular the course, the less likely it is to have adjustment vacancies.

Formal agreement - nothing is binding until she turns up and actually enrols.

Even once she's firmed one and put another as her insurance, if she exceeds her grades come results day, she will be able to go through adjustment , which means apply for higher offer unis.

If there is nothing suitable this year via adjustment, she can do a gap year and apply again next year to universities that require higher grades. Lots of students do this. If she gets an offer from her favourite university, she can "firm" it but she can give up the place if she wishes to.

She doesn't have to decide which 2 and firm/insurance until May. Some will do a harder sell than others, offering visits and offer holder days.