DC firmed a Uni but circumstances have since suddenly changed substantially

[plentyofcabbage]

DC selected a Uni a long way from home and in an expensive city. They were applying grades in hand and got 5 offers but chose this particular Uni.

Our circumstances as a family have suddenly changed and they really want to be closer to home and need to be at a Uni with cheaper living costs.

I believe there is a 14 day cooling off period but they're beyond that date now.

The most sensible choice would actually be at the most sought after/competitive of all the 5 choices but they did have an offer from there but sadly turned it down.

Would there be any chance of changing now, if they rang round the admission departments ?

They've had a very tough UCAS process over the past 2 years due to Covid and now this on top is just another cross to bear. I really feel it would make the difference between them actually going to Uni and staying the course and them giving up the idea altogether. That makes them sound like a person with no resilience at all but everyone has their limits and seeking to resolve an issue would seem more sensible to me.

He can try. We're now technically in the clearing period so some vacancies are on websites. If he is absolutely certain then he'll need to withdraw from his firm, and reapply through ucas as a clearing applicant. No guarantees obviously though.

If this year's cohort don't get results through until August, how does a Uni know if it has places available unless it was perhaps an overlooked/niche course this year ?

The course and alternative preferred alternative Uni are highly regarded/never ever in clearing so I very much doubt will end up in clearing this year. They made dc an offer on the last day before the deadline so dc's way of thinking is that they were just about squeezing them in at that point and possibly still have room for them.

So many Unis left it so late to make offers this year that I would suspect dc wouldn't be alone in wanting to make a change as some dc will have simply rushed the decision making process as it fell during the stressful exam period.

DC's reason for chnage is very personal to them though and the caused by the changed situation our family suddenly finds itself in.

Last day before clearing is today. Might be worth ringing the uni he wants right now to see what they can do. Applications are being accepted up to 6pm tonight.

Essentially unis know how many accepted offers they need to make to hit their targets. So they'll know that if they make say 400 offers, 200 will be firmed and if that 100 will hit their grades and turn up. Past applications are a reasonably good indicator of this. Although TAGS does mean things are slightly up in the air so it is possible some unis will end up in clearing unexpectedly.

Everyone understands that life happens. If your DS explains to his Firm choice that family circumstances have changed and make it impossible for him to attend, much as he would like to, there will be no hard feelings. He should have no qualms about applying to them in the future (eg for postgraduate studies) if the opportunity arises.

The question of how things will play out at his new top choice is trickier. @titchy has summed up the situation well. He can but try. Good luck

dc spent the day trying to find numbers to contact relevant departments at the other Unis who made them an offer/ringing them if possible but not a single one was taking calls/contactable by phone other than automated messages saying to e-mail instead. They've had to e-mail and daturally got no response so far so I think it is hopeless as they really need to speak to a human to put their situation across if possible.

Yesterday was the final day for late applications and clearing opens 5 July. Also there are open days a plenty at the moment. I think it unlikely you may get hold of admissions until after 5 July.

He could try emailing.

What is his insurance choice? Is that a feasible option? If so he could contact UCAS and ask to withdraw from firm making insurance his firm.

If not then do try others and he would be able to withdraw from them and ask the new uni to add them as Extra

There are some university staff on wiwikau sometimes but not sure if they'll be able to help with this.

This sounds really tough. Hope you are okay with the 'family circumstances'.

Good luck with the phone calls etc.

@SeasonFinale dc was applying grades in hand so just one firm choice to make.

Courses won't necessarily end up in clearing advertising spaces but will deal with clearing for students who miss grades or chose not to take up a place etc. Ring admissions rather than individuals. Most staff are on leave or research leave off and on just now so it's a bit pot luck getting hold of staff. Admissions should know who is available to contact.

Would a year out be an option if they don't have a place and reapply in the autumn if worst comes to worst? Better to defer than struggle at the wrong place.

Admissions teams will all be gearing up to advise.

@Mumteedum dc has already had a year out. I worry that they'll give up the idea of Uni altogether if they don't start this Autumn.

Sorry, new to this, don't mean to hijack the thread - I thought "clearing" happened after results come out? Have we missed something?

Well, you might be able to secure a place in clearing but maybe for next year if they don't have the space this year? See what they say. Maybe if your child had a place secured it would be ok.

Good luck with it all.

@SquirrelFan no, I don't think you've missed anything. I suppose unis and UCAS technically refer to the whole period as clearing after UCAS deadline ends but you're correct..the main clearing event is the Thursday (and following days) the A-level and other level 3 quals come out. Middle of August

DC should phone UCAS and talk to them about the situation- they can often help with swaps even at a late stage

I've just spoken to dd who has been a volunteer advising on UCAS. She says that probably the best thing to do is this week phone the place they don't want and the place they do want and request a switch. If both unis are happy for that then UCAS can do it. She says they normally give up to about the end of July for that sort of switch, but she doesn't know what the date is this year.
She says best doing it at the end of next week as UCAS is closed until Tuesday and may well be very busy initially when they reopen.

Thanks, @Mumteedum Whew!

Thanks @MargaretThursday DC has been unable to speak to anyone in the past 2 days, it's all been recorded messages saying to e- mail in. E-mails are unanswered so far.

Other qualifications are available you know!

I do know...that's why I put 'other level 3 quals' ...there are lots!

If there’s been a sudden change in family circumstances has the student really had time to process it?

You say they want to be nearer home - not that they must be. And there are all sorts of ways to alleviate student living costs - have they all been investigated?

(I appreciate it may be that the firmed university is now impossible - but it needs thinking about.)

And other qualifications have different results days - that was my point! Which is partly why we're now in clearing.

Ok @titchy I know they do, but it doesn't change the fact that the main 'event' for universities is the Thursday the A levels come out. That's when I've been called in to work despite the fact many of my applicants come from BTEC or other L3 pathways. You're right though, we are 'in clearing ' and it is fair point.

In fact, BTEC is 18 Aug too... just checked.