hey nodabooper
i know how u feel, i'm in the same boat as u - got rejected this morning with A*s and As at GCSE and a 4A prediction for A2s in maths chem bio and physics.
thing is my mate got an interview last week with AAAB at AS and 3A prediction at a-level.
i havent done the research thingie like u but i did shit loads of work experience, worked at an old folks club, did rugby & karate, did charity work for lymphoma sufferers, got 90%+ average in three of my ASs.
i shall be speaking to them on monday - its not exactly going to be doing me any harm !!!
other than that i've been rejected from 2 other places and hold my only offer at KCL of ABB.