Black Mark on UCAS File Before Clearing?

[CowTown]

Someone mentioned to me that DC shouldn’t put courses they are at risk of not getting an offer for. Their reasoning is that if DC is rejected at this stage, they will have a black mark from that particular uni department on their UCAS file, and will have problems getting through clearing there. Their advice is that if DC is under the required grades, they shouldn’t put the course on their application, because if the course goes into clearing with lower grades (which it historically does), they’ll be able to get in through clearing on results day if they don’t have this black mark on their record. That if they were initially rejected, the uni will say no at the clearing stage.

Is there any truth to this?

I think as a parent trying to guide, DC it’s hard to know how to help them navigate the system. I wish the process was fair and straightforward and places were awarded purely on results. Learning however that some students can miss offer grades and still get places, throws a spanner in the works. Potentially, a student could be rejected for not having good enough PGs and go on to get better results than another student who misses their offer but is still accepted on to the course. I really dislike the gaming, but it feels like DC could be disadvantaged by not trying to get the best PG they can.

Thank you for the advice - I didn’t intend to hijack the thread, but it has given much to think about.

What do you mean?
Do you think students shouldn’t get contextual offers?

Just to add, UCAS runs reports on predicted grades, and identify schools/ colleges which inflate their grades.

I agree with your earlier opinion that (I may be paraphrasing) the system is no longer fit for purpose. The distortions seem to be getting worse over time, and therefore applicants and those who support them need more guidance than ever. But it isn’t there.

I sympathise hugely with the mini-rants from you and @MeetMeOnTheCorner ; I was doing this yesterday. The mess is exhausting.

I am afraid applicants may be coming to rely on the idea that an offer is virtually equivalent to admission. In selecting programmes this isn’t true at all, and in recruiting programmes there are limits to the flex. The applicant has more control than anyone else over the journey from the offer to admission.

I am not sure how many teenagers realise this, or relish it, and I am not sure what this says about their readiness for university. However a more transparent system, making the links between their efforts and their outcomes more clear, could only help.

@Pinkissmart
no you’ve misunderstood the point she’s making…

Interestingly when I checked on the UCAS site yesterday, some universities ( not all) had deleted the box which showed the most common grades of accepted students.

This is true and parents should keep it in mind. But (aside from contextual offers) it just reflects how broken the system is.

Cynically, if your DC is at a school that badly overpredicts, they will be tarred by this reputation regardless. Wouldn’t you rather they were overpredicted along with the others?

Interesting ……….