help?!? in need of some clearing; hotlines haven't been able to clear up for me ....

Hi anyone who is kind enough to respond to my query

I've spoken to various people from both universities and the official UCAS helpline about this, and they've given me such different responses about a subject that could go very wrong if I do the wrong thing...
The situation is, I am currently waiting to see if my firm has accepted me, but I am also interested in some courses at different universities via clearing, as my cousin went through clearing last year and ended up at a uni doing a course that was much better than his initial firm choice, but he took quite a big risk as he declined his firm and solely relied on finding somewhere good via clearing. What I wanted to know is, how does the process work if you are (God willing, knock wood) accepted into your firm but you also want to see if any clearing choices appeal to you, without having to do something as consequential as rejecting all your current choices. I've been given varying advice, as UCAS told me that you should obtain a verbal offer before choosing to reject your course and request to be put into clearing, but universities have said verbal offers do not hold as much weight as a conditional, and different universities have their own approach and what they mean by verbal offers, so you shouldn't reject your firm on the basis of what a university has promised you over the phone.

Thanks for any input, as it's too late now to speak to officials, but the wonderful TSR community might be able to help.

Mina xx

Hi anyone who is kind enough to respond to my query

I've spoken to various people from both universities and the official UCAS helpline about this, and they've given me such different responses about a subject that could go very wrong if I do the wrong thing...
The situation is, I am currently waiting to see if my firm has accepted me, but I am also interested in some courses at different universities via clearing, as my cousin went through clearing last year and ended up at a uni doing a course that was much better than his initial firm choice, but he took quite a big risk as he declined his firm and solely relied on finding somewhere good via clearing. What I wanted to know is, how does the process work if you are (God willing, knock wood) accepted into your firm but you also want to see if any clearing choices appeal to you, without having to do something as consequential as rejecting all your current choices. I've been given varying advice, as UCAS told me that you should obtain a verbal offer before choosing to reject your course and request to be put into clearing, but universities have said verbal offers do not hold as much weight as a conditional, and different universities have their own approach and what they mean by verbal offers, so you shouldn't reject your firm on the basis of what a university has promised you over the phone.

Thanks for any input, as it's too late now to speak to officials, but the wonderful TSR community might be able to help.

Mina xx