A levels 2023 - Results day and beyond

[HereWeGo2023]

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.

@openday could you explain why someone, my DS, took 5 A-levels and was predicted 5 A*’s, why he was turned down at interview stage for Oxbridge. Was he not posh enough with his state school education? What likely explanation is there in your 20 years experience? For context, his interview was maths questions and he did good. Not brilliant but also not awful.

I've started a new thread as this one is nearly full. Let's stay here till it fills and then we can head over to:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/higher_education/4875646-a-levels-2023-results-day-beyond-part-2

I realise that most posters have moved on now, but somewhere for those of us still in limbo or still with questions,
to check in.

@SlightlyJaded another mother here shocked at MMU’s cold approach and rooting for your daughter to find an alternative route.

My daughter also missed the grades for her first choice uni back in 2021 and so felt like the only person to drop a grade. All the stories were around too many making grades and being overmarked. She went to UEA, her insurance choice, and it’s been the making of her. Lovely uni, everything close together, lovely town, plenty of cheap accommodation for later years. Lecturers have been on hand, helpful and present. Plenty of on campus accommodation for year one, even for clearing students. The student union is welcoming and puts on a great freshers’ week with lots of live music for an affordable (cheap) price.

Other child at Durham, much sort after uni in Mumsnet world. Beautiful town, endless gowns and catered meals but bloody hell, try finding a professor that will actually talk to an undergraduate.

I think that you are lucky in that you have more information about your students as many are interviewed, though maybe not on your courses?
I'm guessing that this gives you a better idea of their personality, suitability for the course and for your teaching system.

@Cocopogo i don’t have years of experience but DD went through the process and got her place and is due to start next month.

I hear of lots of very capable DCs not getting offers. DD did, we will never know why but interview was fun she said, they asked questions about her EPQ, she thinks she did well in the tests. I think the enthusiasm for her subject shone through in lots of ways. Her A level result for her subject she only dropped a few points from max and way over the A star grade boundary.which has got rid of most of her state school imposter syndrome.

I felt it important to counter the Oxbridge is too posh statement. At the offer holder day there were more state school pupils than private and a lot of financial support options too.

I hope your son is happy with the Uni he got. It sounds like he will be a success wherever he goes.

I don't know, but my DS was also in a state school 6th form and was turned down for Maths at Cambridge after interview. He was predicted 4 A stars. I understood they only have one place for every 5 who make it that far, so I guess they can't offer places to everyone with those predicted grades.

I was speaking to someone in admissions who said the exact same as you 😊 thank you so much for the reassurance.
Hope you get good news asap too.

I don't think ds had the most amazing application to C in the world - high predicted grades from a good and all-ability comprehensive, but his TMUA score was low enough to make me think it was probably all over. But I know that he loved the interview - the actual process of it. He bounced out of his room beaming and said he'd really enjoyed it. And that I think if anything is what got him his offer.

But there was that nice piece by an admissions tutor or Master of a college saying essentially, look we have to pick but we know we get it wrong sometimes, and there are so many stellar candidates who will go on to prove us gloriously wrong in the future.

I think 8 is quite a lot to find but that said we had the script back for a student yesterday and found 5 marks in one chemistry paper.

DS had a rejection from OB yesterday. He’s now found out that he’s 1 mark off a B and 9 marks off a C so planning on getting a remark for the closest one- not sure about the subject with 9 marks off. His teacher is going to look at the U on Tuesday to see how close to an E it is.

He’s going to email OB with this info - will it make a difference do you think - can they reinstate an offer? His offer is for September 24. He’s also going to ask their advice about foundation years. I’ve also posted this in the new thread so sorry if you’ve read it twice! We’ve been researching foundation years- there’s a few health ones and one leading directly to paramedic science so fingers crossed he can find a new place next year if need be.

Hi, @moshmoshi

Unfortunately once they’ve made the rejection OB probably aren’t interested in the grade boundaries. But being 1 mark off is very frustrating! The remark for that paper is sensible. As your DS has been rejected , there is nothing to lose. If the U is close to an E I would suggest the same thing. Success with either of these is def worth taking back to OB and of course if it isn’t enough asking their advice about FY/Access will show maturity and dedication.

Is DS planning to ask for a remark on the paper that is a D, 9 marks off a C? It sounds risky to me. If that were to become an E his situation would be worse. So I would go for paper that is 1 mark off and possibly the U. If finances permit, requesting an expedited remark might help. I think the exam boards are going to be swamped with remarks and I am concerned they may not get to the non-expedited ones in time. Teachers may have more insight.

I am very sorry that I think I missed some of your earlier posts. I got notices but MN kept returning me to your first reply. The thread is too long to scroll!

What do you mean about Lancaster losing Bsc status? Not sure I understand.

Hi @poetryandwine, thank you we will leave the D then and go for a remark of the C and possibly the U depending on what his teacher says on Tuesday. I’m so glad he’s deferred a year gives us some breathing space to find suitable foundation courses. It would be great if we ended up with B, D E as that is nearly the points OB needs and would save the hassle of reapplying. If not then hopefully we can find foundation years at sporty unis Thanks for your help again

Pleasure, @moshmoshi Best wishes

So a development, but not as I had hoped....

After all the praise for UEA, I called them. DD is so drained and wrung out, that she can't see past the MMU offer, even though they haven't updated the HUB. I didn't tell DD I was calling UEA as she has pretty much shut down after two days of calling and calling and refreshing the hub and fielding texts from friends and falling apart and picking herself up and trying to keep her spirits up, and she just doesn't want to talk about it any more. So I thought I would just sound it out to see if it was worth her calling - and they made her an offer via me, on the spot! Head of Department will call her back etc but email follow up came quickly and a definite offer.

DD refuses to look at it.

In my mind it ticks every box - brilliant Uni. Ranks above several of the RGs. Guaranteed accommodation. Superb Geog facilities. Exact course. City and beach - so best of both words, amazing reviews, plus all the praise on here.... I thought she'd be beside herself.

Instead she says I have over-stepped (I have a bit) and that she is happy with MMU and wants to be in Manchester not Norwich and no longer cares about rankings or league tables and to leave it alone.

I honestly don't know what to do. I can't force her and nor would I want to, but I also can't believe she won't consider it. It seems insane to me after all we've gone through. Her boyfriend is Leeds and her best friend Manchester - so big influence there which I get, but still...?

I know there is nothing anyone can do or say, but I just needed to come somewhere to vent, She has been so ambitious up until now, and whilst I am not against MMU and have heard some really nice stories from people who ended up there, and had a brilliant Uni experience and outcome, I just feel so so frustrated with the whole thing.

FFS. Again.

Well, I am feeling slightly annoyed that DD was predicted four A stars and got them. She was turned down by Oxford after being pooled. When she asked for feedback, she found out her test, and into the schools were considerably higher than average. In that context it’s quite galling to read about people missing their Oxbridge offers but still getting places. It’s made me very cynical indeed about Oxbridge selection methods. Having said that I am super proud of DD for bouncing back and know she will have a blast elsewhere.

@SlightlyJaded OMG, parents never win. Maybe leave it tonight and then tomorrow present it as a choice? Choices give you a feeling of control.

Basically if I were you, I’d just climb into a bottle of wine now. We are all rooting for you and your daughter.

What a shame @SlightlyJaded the offer you've been given sounds fantastic. Your poor DD has been through so much I wonder if she just can't face another change of plan, or if she really is set on a big city uni.

I hope she will take the Head of Department's call, and maybe that will be enough to change her mind.

I think all you can do is sleep on it but I think tomorrow you do need to lay it out for her that the MMU offer is not in the bag. Whilst it's her choice, she could find that UEA is off the table by the time MMU make their decision.

Just hoping this is all resolved for you soon.

Thanks both.

Definitely a combo of Clearing Fatigue, wanting certainty, having thrown herself into the idea of MMU (which yesterday I was really pleased about) and having best friend and boyfriend close by, I can understand how we got to a place where she is decided. But the UEA offer is so good, and it's so fucking frustrating that she has just shut down.

I really just want to cry now. DH says leave till Monday, but the UEA offer is only good till 4pm Monday - I suppose we could ask for an extension but that would really have to come from her and I just can't see it. coming...

Nothing I can do tonight. We will try to get her to re-focus and reconsider tomorrow...

Thank you thank you all.

Look at Leeds-Norwich compared to Leeds-Manchester. Three hours extra on the train is your problem. Very frustrating for you.

Any chance you could bundle her into a car to have a look at Norwich before 4pm on Monday?

So sorry @SlightlyJaded.
Tomorrow is another day. She may be able to find the energy to think about it tomorrow after a nights sleep.

We're waiting to hear from the school. We have one remark going through and one recall of a script. Obviously, we're hopeful but also know that nothing might change.
I'm not a very patient person so it's a struggle!

so sorry to hear of the further stress @SlightlyJaded - I can’t imagine how exhausted, (mentally, emotionally and physically), you and your DD must be at this stage.

I agree that it might be worth a wee day trip to Norwich tomorrow if that’s possible from wherever you are. Your DD has shown so much resilience, and I can understand how shattered she must be, but I wonder if a bit of tough love might be required to help her see that to throw away a 3 year opportunity because of 1 day of exhaustion, isn’t wise.

I don’t envy you at all though - you are doing a sterling job - please, please be kind to yourself.

I think its time for cards on the table with her tomorrow and make her realise MMU may not materialise and possible accommodation issue.

Hopefully the call from the HOD at UEA will make her realise what a cracking place it is.

My dd is happy to have a chat with her about UEA if that helps?

UEA Med school was her insurance, we have been so impressed with them since Thurs. Accommodation was sorted very quickly and she has been on a facebook group and found people on her course/ in her halls already.

My son finally heard from MMU today! He’s not been offered the same course, but an alternative one. He’s happy to take that up.
Really hasn’t been a positive experience at all. Thanking my lucky stars it’s a few years til my next one! I may just have recovered by then!!