Page 23 | A levels 2023 - Results day and beyond

HereWeGo2023 · 2023-08-17T05:47:35+00:00

Hi all. I thought I’d make a new thread as the countdown one is filling up. Results day is here and I’m sure we will all value each others support, today and for the next stage of their journeys.

Disconcerto · 17/08/2023 18:57

SlightlyJaded · 17/08/2023 17:17

Just checking in again. Well done to those who got what they needed, but especially those who have been resilient and navigated a way through clearing to something they are happy with. So hard to keep going!

Update to our SHOCKER of a day: Still both completely blind-sided by results. Have decided to go ahead with a Geog re-mark, but even this won't really salvage DD's situation.

I have had to stop myself blubbing whilst listing to DD on the phone to various Uni clearing offices - knowing full well she is now punching to get on courses she didn't think she would have to consider. She is being so fucking brave and resilient that she is putting me to shame. A few are considering her application and we will now have to wait and see. She can't really make any decision at the moment because there is pretty much nothing on the table.

I don't know what will happen but I will keep you all posted just because it might be helpful to someone else in our position next year. We are talking about a really bright girl who scored among the highest SATS in her outstanding primary, got 8s and 9s at GCSE, got an A on the one bit of coursework she handed in (Geog), was predicted A AA and came out of her exams quite content with what she had done. If she can get a CCD - then honesty, I think it can happen to anyone. All that given just for context, not because I think she is amazing or anything. It's just such shock and a punch in the gut.

But anyway..., Onwards and I will keep you posted for reasons stated above.

This has really moved me. Your daughter is very impressive. I want to know how on earth you brought up a girl with such resilience. If my daughter didn’t get her grades, I would have had to sweep her off the floor and rebuild her; she is so sensitive and lacking in resilience. Whilst my girl got her grades, I am genuinely in awe of you and her daughter. And suspect your girl has the life skills which matter.

One thing struck me on this thread. Just how lucky these kids are, with loved and invested parents, supporting them through this awful period. I am sad that so many kids don’t have this. Having parents who care makes such a difference to these young people.

Tiddlywinks63 · 17/08/2023 18:57

Travelban · 17/08/2023 18:42

Thank you all for the words of encouragement! Dd really likes the course too, as do I and the admissions tutor has already called her to talk her through the course, welcome her and take questions. I thought that was a lovely touch!

My DD went to Portsmouth, admittedly some years ago. She had a great time, did extremely well (her A level results were disappointing) and is excelling in her career as a Clinical Scientist.
I hope your DD has a fabulous time.

groovejet · 17/08/2023 18:57

@sweatervest very similar predictions and results to what my DD had, she is also going to Chester, but it was her firm choice. She loved everything about it when she went to open day. It was a smaller size which appealed to her, but still had plenty of societies that she liked the look of, one of her A-level teachers had lots of positive things to say about the University and the course lecturers as well. What is your DS going to be studying there?

Messyhair321 · 17/08/2023 18:58

halfthesun · 17/08/2023 07:00

Could not sleep. DS so chilled ... says he will just do something else if doesn't get grades plus changed his mind last night about which university due to the fact Cardiff has accommodation with an en suite

Cardiff is a lovely uni & area I'd recommended it

TJsAunt · 17/08/2023 18:59

DailyMaui · 17/08/2023 18:23

On a thread that has been overwhelmingly supportive you bring "poly" and "stabby to the table. AND responding to someone who has had a shit of a day.

As ma granny would say, awa an boil yer heed.

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Daily Maui couldn't have said it better!!!

Portsmouth is a massive city. There are rough bits sure, but to paint the whole island as stabby is nonsense. It's a lovely city to spend 3 years in.

Tiddlywinks63 · 17/08/2023 19:00

Mikimoto · 17/08/2023 18:32

It WAS a Poly when it became "good for languages" - and what have you got against Polys, anyway - inherent snobbery?

Also: "Compared to the national crime rate, Portsmouth's is at 122%" - official figures.

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In MNs immortal words ODFOD.

TJsAunt · 17/08/2023 19:01

So my ds achieved his offer but the exam board have managed to give UCAS the incorrect EPQ mark so he's not actually been accepted yet.

Spent the whole day speaking to the university/exam board/school/UCAS and not made any real progess.

So sad for him - Astar A A and he still can't really celebrate.

Here's to tomorrow

NotDonna · 17/08/2023 19:02

Postapocalypticcowgirl · 17/08/2023 16:50

What's the subject involved? Some are relatively safe from being downgraded, whilst there are some where dropping a whole grade is more of a posibility.

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It’s economics for BSc Business at Bath. They offered AAA/A*AB plus AAB with B in core maths (she already has core maths). She achieved ABB but 1 mark from an A star (in economics) So if she did get that extra mark she’d have Astar BB (which is same as ABB) but they’ve yet to confirm if they would accept the offset or not. She absolutely adores the course and esp it’s 2x 6 month placements. I’m not sure they’ll shift but it does seem worth a try.

Dontworryrelax · 17/08/2023 19:03

I grew up in Portsmouth and have lots of family still there so go back often. It's a great city. Not too big but big enough, the sea and the beach, lots of pubs and nightlife. Some rough parts like all cities but I've never considered it to be dangerous or worried about walking around at night. She'll have a fab time.

Tabbytabs · 17/08/2023 19:04

Absolutely shit day here. Dd predicted AAA in history, biology and chemistry, ended up with ACD. Missed her firm of Bristol, but got her insurance of Cardiff. She is not so upset about going to Cardiff, we visited there on an offer holder day and thought it was lovely, but she is gutted that she worked so hard for those grades. She has done every past paper for the past 10 years and never got below a B in biology. She did last year’s papers and got AAB. She worked so hard and she feels so bloody dejected. I just feel so sad for her.

tribpot · 17/08/2023 19:07

Thanks @Dixiechickonhols that's really interesting course info. @Travelban the course looks fantastic.

@SlightlyJaded a further nightmare. Put today to bed and start fresh in the morning.

DailyMaui · 17/08/2023 19:08

TJsAunt · 17/08/2023 19:01

So my ds achieved his offer but the exam board have managed to give UCAS the incorrect EPQ mark so he's not actually been accepted yet.

Spent the whole day speaking to the university/exam board/school/UCAS and not made any real progess.

So sad for him - Astar A A and he still can't really celebrate.

Here's to tomorrow

Ah that's really crap. It must be so frustrating for him - and you.

I really hope he gets the good news he deserves tomorrow and can have a proper celebration. Those are stellar grades.

BlissBlakeney · 17/08/2023 19:08

She is being so fucking brave and resilient that she is putting me to shame

Wonderful daughter you've raised. I'd take resilience over a bunch of A* any day. Best of luck to her.

ZittiEBuoni · 17/08/2023 19:09

I grew up in Portsmouth and neither I nor anyone I know has ever been stabbed...

@Tabbytabs , Cardiff was my dd's insurance and we were really taken with it when we visited. If she could have gone to 2 universities at once, she would! Sorry your dd is disappointed today but I hope she loves Cardiff once she's there.

stilldumdedumming · 17/08/2023 19:10

What a day. Long story short terrible admin between UCAS and QMUL. Ds got his grades but QM can't see it. How insurance can. With no assurances from QM, ds started collecting clearing offers and got great ones from Royal Holloway, Sussex, Brunel and Goldsmiths. But can we get any sense out of QM? Nope.

Meanwhile clearing offers will start to expire from 7am tomorrow. I am exhausted.

tribpot · 17/08/2023 19:13

Oh no @stilldumdedumming . How much does DS want to go to QM?

Tabbytabs · 17/08/2023 19:15

ZittiEBuoni · 17/08/2023 19:09

I grew up in Portsmouth and neither I nor anyone I know has ever been stabbed...

@Tabbytabs , Cardiff was my dd's insurance and we were really taken with it when we visited. If she could have gone to 2 universities at once, she would! Sorry your dd is disappointed today but I hope she loves Cardiff once she's there.

i really liked Cardiff, the uni was a bit tatty, but the city was lovely. It’s a bloody lot cheaper than Bristol too, so she is considering taking her car. I think she’ll love it, she’s really into music and going to gigs and I think Cardiff is just as good as Bristol for that.

Another South Coast girl here (we are in Southampton) and apart from the local rivalry, Portsmouth is fine. The city centre is a bit pointless and run down, but Southsea is brilliant and Gunwharf is great too. I’m not sure why anyone would think it’s more stabby than any other city.

Lampzade · 17/08/2023 19:15

Rebootnecessary · 17/08/2023 18:08

For those who have achieved the grades and got their first (or second) choice today, well done!

For those who have had a challenging day - I commiserate and empathise.

My dc are both through university now but we certainly had our ups and downs. They both are both bright and motivated and have good friendship groups. But nearly every one of those young adults have had a blip at some point in their higher education career. Whether it was flunking a set of exams (A level or uni exams), not liking and swapping their courses, health issues needing time out of studies ... the list goes on.

My point is, that nearly everyone needs a Plan B, or C at some point and the road is almost always bumpy. Keep on championing your dc because they still need it despite being young adults.

Absolutely

TJsAunt · 17/08/2023 19:16

ZittiEBuoni · 17/08/2023 19:09

I grew up in Portsmouth and neither I nor anyone I know has ever been stabbed...

@Tabbytabs , Cardiff was my dd's insurance and we were really taken with it when we visited. If she could have gone to 2 universities at once, she would! Sorry your dd is disappointed today but I hope she loves Cardiff once she's there.

also grew up in Portsmouth - the 122% statistic is nonsense really - just means there is more crime in Portsmouth than some other towns? Not that it is particularly 'stabby' - awful word choice there......

Went to uni in Cardiff - great student city. fabulous place to spend a few years....

TJsAunt · 17/08/2023 19:16

DailyMaui · 17/08/2023 19:08

Ah that's really crap. It must be so frustrating for him - and you.

I really hope he gets the good news he deserves tomorrow and can have a proper celebration. Those are stellar grades.

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thank you xxx

LaDeeDa123 · 17/08/2023 19:19

Let’s hope Liverpool University make an offer @SlightlyJaded Has she thought about Leicester University? Everyone I know who went there was very happy.

NotDonna · 17/08/2023 19:19

poetryandwine · 17/08/2023 16:47

Hi, @NotDonna

Perhaps I am being thick about your question. The Firm offer is AAB and DD has ABB, including a B in the subject choice. Is that right?

Does she need an A in the subject choice for her Firm? Is the school considering having both B papers remarked, or just the subject paper? How close is she to the A grade in the paper(s) under consideration?

Sorry my original message bolded between the stars and makes the whole post incredibly confusing.
Yes the firm is AAB and she received ABB. the A is in economics and is one mark from an Astar. So if she got the extra mark she’d have Astar BB. Her firm gave her 3 offers - AAA/AstarAB and also ‘AAB plus A/B in core maths’ (she achieved core maths in yr12). So we are wondering if the econ was upped one mark to Astar if they’d offset one of her Bs especially as the Astar is much more relevant to her course. She’s having email conversations with them. But I guess my worry is if that current A could end up being downgraded to a B & this have BBB and miss her insurance who’s offer she met with ABB. She has set her heart on the firm unfortunately but is becoming happier with the insurance as the day progresses. School are very keen to look at the scripts and see about a ‘remark’.

ZittiEBuoni · 17/08/2023 19:23

Your dd will have to go to Spillers Records, @Tabbytabs , very cool, first ever record shop in the UK. Dd bought herself a T shirt when we were there.

stilldumdedumming · 17/08/2023 19:23

@tribpot he had his heart set on it until this afternoon! He's very competitive and very ambitious and of his options, I think it will give him the best opportunities. If he goes elsewhere he will always be wondering.

Luckily he did some work for a professor of the subject at another uni so got some advice from him and 2 colleagues today. They came down on QM in the end.

Plus he's got his accommodation sorted and in London that's pretty helpful!

stilldumdedumming · 17/08/2023 19:24

Thank you all for letting me vent. It's been exhausting!!!