Clearing?

One VERY important thing to remember about Clearing is this :

Not all courses go into Clearing. In fact, many 'top' Universities dont go into Clearing for ANY courses.

This means that you will not be able to apply for all possible options in Clearing. Clearing is not a '2nd chance to apply for everything' - its like the January sales, with what's on offer often only the courses that no-one else wants (with good reason) at some pretty crummy Unis, and that you wont get a chance to see before you accept a place.

Dont compromise. My advice would be to cancel your application for this year, retake/reapply to courses you really want to do and at a Uni you can go and see before making this decision. A gap year also gives you some breathing space after A levels and a chance to earn some money/have some fun.

The advice above is sensible - you dont have to make a decision about this until Results Day. Use the time now to think long and hard about what you really want to do.

Only a handful don't go into clearing. Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial,UCL and LSE.

And Bristol and several others. And not all courses go into Clearing from the Unis that do. What ever way you look at it - it isnt 'every option'. You are narrowing the field by applying through Clearing.