2021 Grades

[FlannelandPuce]

Any advice would be welcome. DS did his a levels over the two COVID years, and like most students didn't get amazing results. He didn't apply for uni in 2021 as wanted to take a gap year (unis were still coping with covid lockdowns the year he should have applied). Due to anxiety and confidence issues he has taken two years gap year, his birthday is at the end of August so is quite young too.
Last year he was going to apply for his course in clearing , but again confidence issues raised their head. However he has applied a few weeks ago through clearing and has his clearing number. I could weep as things have been a struggle for him. However I am aware that his grades are not great due to COVID, and wondered if they would still be taken into consideration. He has applied to a regional uni and I wonder at what point they will let him know he has a place as he isn't waiting on results.
The course he wants doesn't have a foundation year but I have suggested that he has a back up plan and look at other courses.

Has he actually spoken to the uni?

The normal process in clearing would be to ring up and discuss his situation with the uni- they would normally make a verbal offer if interested in him, and then he would add this to UCAS.

If he just adds a course without speaking to anyone, they may not consider him- so he really needs to speak to the uni.

If he spoke to the uni, they will normally give a date that they will share decisions on?

Thanks for your reply. He hasn't gone through UCAS but direct to the university. The university had an online form set up for him to fill in, and the reply email have given him a clearing number and said they would be in touch.

He has emailed them to clarify the next step but there has been to reply yet. I didn't know if they were holding out for a level result day before considering those who applied through clearing process.

TBH he isn't being proactive as I think he is worried about rejection and what that would mean.

We have spent afternoon looking at other courses along a similar line on the UCAS site, and those with foundation years.

I am sorry for your DS, OP.

It has been a while since I have participated in Clearing as a former Admissions Tutor. My School is seldom in Clearing but when we are we prefer that Clearing candidates chat with an Admissions Tutor on the phone or via email. If they sound right for us we ask them to add us on UCAS so we can verify their documentation snd make an offer

It sounds like the programme your DS wants has replaced our ‘chat’ step by asking candidates to fill out a contact form. Realistically, they can’t probably start making Clearing decisions until they have processed results from their Firm and Insurance applicants. But universities have had A level results for several days now, so they should be nearly finished with that.

I hope they will get back to your DS soon. If they don’t it will be hard to know whether they are just behind or aren’t interested. I would ring the relevant School tomorrow. It is important for your DS to do this himself if he possibly can, difficult though that may be. There is an element of subjectivity in borderline Clearing admissions, and some tutors will wonder about a candidate who cannot make this phone call for themselves. To a fiercely loving parent that feels harsh, but it isn’t actually unfair.

You keep mentioning Covid. Everone understands it was a problem and is sympathetic, but A level results were adjusted so it is a difficult thing to talk about unless your DS has documented mitigating circumstances. It might be worth one light touch mention. But more than that can sound like making excuses, which won’t help your DS.

I do have huge sympathy for his lack of confidence. I want him to succeed and confidence is key. You’ve said that his particular degree programme doesn’t have a Foundation Year, but most Foundation Years are somewhat general. Also, it is quite typical to do your FY at one uni and transfer to another for your degree: your degree offer is typically conditional on your FY result. Student Finance will give a loan for the length of the degree + 1 year, so will fund the FY.

I can imagine the first reaction of you and your DS might be ‘But that’s another year of study!’ However given his current mindset I am very concerned he may not be in the best mental space to succeed at uni, even if he gets a place in Clearing. Doing an FY can bring his confidence back after 2 years off and, we gather, underperforming at A level.

it can set him up for success.

My thoughts are based on years of experience as a personal tutor, academic adviser, and lecturer. I have seen that confidence is the key to working effectively with my own students.

Best wishes to your DS

What grades is the course asking for in clearing and what grades does he have?

Thanks for your kind replies you have been so helpful!!.

He has rang the uni and has to wait until tomorrow to see if he has a place. As he is following an unconventional route I didn't know if different arrangements would apply but it seems not.

The advice for foundation years has been extremely helpful as our local unis have 2 courses in his subject. It's good to know he could complete the foundation year and transfer to his chosen degree and uni I feel better knowing he has options. He has looked at both course content and would be happy doing either.

The course he is applying for wants 120 UCAS points, but he only has 80. In 2021 his friends got onto their chosen courses despite having low UCAS points, but I guess we are not in 2021 now. The foundation courses want 40 and 60 so he should be ok getting a place with regards points, and I do agree that a year foundation course may help build his confidence academically.

COVID years were difficult as it was both his A level years and his dyslexia was not supported with remote learning. The course he is applying for is in his strongest A level, and is creative.

I feel much better now knowing he has a plan!

Well done to your DS for phoning, and good luck for tomorrow! Is it a creative course which required him to submit a portfolio/do an audition? If so, there can sometimes be more flexibility around academic requirements.

Good luck to your son for tomorrow

Good luck for tomorrow, and fingers crossed he gets a place. Hopefully, even if he doesn't have a place, he can now see a way forward and plan for the future?

He's obviously made a big step by applying and managing to speak to someone about the situation, so that's really positive.

Tomorrow, he could also see if there are any other clearing options that appear locally that he fancies?

I agree, really well done for making the call! I hope your DS is rightly proud of that.

Gently, even if he is offered a place this year, I wonder what being 40 UCAS points down on the offer will do for his confidence? When things get tough (as they do for everyone) it will be easy to fall into the trap of feeling that he is out of his league and they are hopeless. Your DS also has the challenge of managing his dyslexia with a uni-level workload. BTW, not having support for the dyslexia during Covid is something of a mitigating circumstance. It is worth a mention! He just needs to keep it brief and make sure it doesn’t sound like he is making excuses.

From what you write, OP, I think the FY could put your DS in a position of strength, mentally and psychologically. Ready to succeed! It doesn’t sound like he is quite there yet.

I also hope he will take advantage of all the help he can get for his dyslexia. That could be important. Some students feel that it is taking unfair advantage. Ignore them. It only levels the playing field.

Again, best wishes

We assumed there would be some form of interview or a chance to show his work, as the form he filled in required basic information from him. But so far the university hasn't required anything from him. I understand they got this year's cohort results earlier this week in preparation for tomorrow, so maybe after the first wave he might be contacted and have an opportunity to supplement his application.

Just to feed back after you were so kind in giving help and support yesterday.

My ds rang the university this morning and didn't get a place BUT he wasn't fazed which was really positive .

He had looked at foundations last night and the one the university was offering wasn't quite what he was after, so he rang another uni and got accepted there.

His plan at the moment is to complete his foundation and apply to the original uni with his choice of degree. He discussed his dyslexia (Since lockdown his dyslexia has become a huge issue for him), and they reassured him of support they will provide, and invited him to an open day this Saturday.

He rang the universities himself and sorted everything out then came and told me the outcome, and he seems really happy. He seems relived to do a foundation year, and I hope it will give him some confidence in his abilities which he desperately needs, and he would have a further qualification to support his uni entry.

Yesterday I was in a panic that if he was rejected how would he take it, but thanks to the help here I felt I was able to give him some good advice and he was prepared.

Thank you so much!

Great news, OP! Thanks very much for sharing it.

Thanks for the update, OP, and well done!!