To think there must be something I can do?

[Burna86]

I know there is a University thread but posting here for traffic.

I had a full mental health breakdown which resulted in 2 suicide attempts.
When I was in A&E they said they would have to let DS school know.

DS was in year 13 preparing for ALevels with A* A A predictions.

I was then sent to a psychiatric hospital for 4 months. I am on quite strong medication and my DS has been amazing.

DS received results and got BBB, really disappointed but was last year when they were apparently marked down.

He took a year off and decided to apply for university this year. When I spoke to the school about the situation they said if they had known DS would have received special circumstances and been marked higher.

Apparently it was too late to do anything but they said some universities will accept lower grades for special circumstance's.

DS was told to apply for 2 High Universities, 1 middle and 2 that would accept the lower grades.

He has been offered the 2 low ones, declined by the middle one and nothing back from top 2 which really are a push anyway.

DS has been an amazing support to me through a very difficult time. I'm just so angry with myself for putting him through all this and not notifying the school at the time.
DS would never have asked for help and always seems chilled but he is very sensitive and bottles things up.

DH remembers a phone call from social services checking on DS but was also obviously all over the place and told them things were fine.

I just feel utterly distraught that I have messed up my sons future and really not sure if there is anything I can do?

DS did seem disappointed when mid university declined, they asked for AAB so is sure the top two will also decline.

Im just feeling so so sad that I have messed up his life.

Thank you for reading

Last year the A levels went back to the percentage of A stars and As there had been in 2019 and most of the year before (about 20% high grades) although not as low as in the years before about 1990 when 10% of people got A or higher.

It sounds like he is very bright and was just unlucky both in relation to the year being as hard as 2019 and earlier again (whereas it was easier in the pandemic which is very very unfair on loads of people) plus your health issues.

It sound like he wants to do psychology at university and I am not sure if that will be his career or not. If not, then he might want to consider a subject at a very good university which no one much wants to do to get into a higher rates institution perhaps via clearing if that is possible or else just accept the highest one of those who have made him an offer and do whatever he can on his gap year to get good work experience. Some organisations are now recruiting "institution blind" and if he gets a first class degree that could really help with those kinds of employers.

Good morning

I'm really sorry to ask for more help, I've been given such wonderful support and advice on this thread.

I have been trying to help my son draft an email to each admissions department.

Im not very good at this kind of thing and it also brings up so many emotions.

Can I ask what kind of approach we should use and the reason he is contacting them please?

Thank you all so so much x

@Burna86 I can try and draft something this evening which you and your son can then tailor with more specific details?

@Toffeebananachocolate

Would you mind?? Gosh you have done so much to help me already??

Thank you so so much x

Doing it now. Will PM it to you shortly.