Retaking or clearing?

Hello,

To cut it straight to the point, on results day I failed to achieve my A*AA, lost my place at LSE and QMUL and ended up in Clearing (with BCC and a D* in a BTEC). I have been given offers for LLB Law from Westminster, London South Bank and Middlesex (as well as UEL). However, post visiting each university, I realised that I did not end up liking any of them.

My family would prefer if I just went to any university and the just do a masters at LSE. However, I am starting to consider retaking (something my family finds unacceptable since they believe I could come out with the same grades and just waste a precious year of my education).

Any advice?

Ultimately, it is your life- but retaking may be difficult if your family can't/won't support you financially. Have you looked at clearing options outside of London?

How do LSE view retakes these days?

I have called Essex and have been offered a place, however, since I cannot get a maintenance loan and my family does not have the ability to support my stay outside of London, I am stuck in London.
I don't truly know LSE's perspective, they said they assess it on a case to case basis.

What were your reasons for not liking the universities?

This probably means they aren't that keen on retakes unless you have extenuating circumstances. However, plenty of other unis won't be bothered by retakes at all (I imagine KCL and QMUL, for example, would fall into this category).

May I ask why you are unable to get a maintenance loan?

I did not like some of them due to the campus (Middlesex and LSB), the small library + over 300 students for the subject + the very large seminars and tutorials (Westminister). But, moreover, I did not feel as if I belonged there. I visited them all today and on my way home I was just silently crying and praying that I won't be miserable for 3 years in the one I end up choosing.

Furthermore, I am waiting on my remarks and I am worried that my BCC will become ABB and then I won't have the possibility to attend a better university, such as SOAS or City (since the places would be gone by then, and transferring to the university will force me to redo year 1).

Have you tried city, it think they'll take u thru clearing. Fill their online clearing application to get a fast responce.

I am unable to get a maintenance loan since I have only been in this country for 3 years. Student Fiance told me that I must have lived a minimum of 5 years in the UK for me to be able to obtain it.
In relation to retakes, I don't know QMUL's standpoint, however, KCL and UCL do not accept them (hence my parent's hesitation). Furthermore, I just turned 19, thus I would have to retake by myself, without being enroled in any institution (which does not help my argument to my parents)

I have, they have rejected me despite meeting the UCAS tariff points required. I called them and made an application at 9 am on results day. They said they had more students with better grades so the spaces got filled up. I believe I could get into City for English (since they still have places), however, I don't know whether I would be able to transfer to Law (so it is a risky choice).

This page seems to suggest otherwise, re KCL and retakes:
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/apply/entry-requirements/index.aspx

I also thought it was only 3 years for SFE (this is with settled status, though)- if you had a chance of getting student finance after you retook, would this help your case with your parents?

Being 19 does make it a bit more tricky, especially if you will now have to pay fees for exams as well.

Unfortunately, I would need 2 more years to get the maintenance (I do get the regular 9250 loan to pay for the course though). At this point, I am not even sure it is worthwhile to retake. Perhaps I am easy to influence (in a way I am since my parents have a lot of say in my life...it is a cultural thing) however, what option I have?

If my parents are correct, paying and studying without a teacher's help could lead me to get the same grades...or lower. Plus I have to go through the whole UCAS Personal Statement thing once more.

Also, are the unis as bad as people say? As I said, I have only been in this country for 3 years, but my college has insisted that only a degree from a top university (be it Russel Group or not) is worthwhile and would lead pupils to a job. I am just afraid that I will start uni for the sake of my parents and end up dropping out or reapplying to other unis (whilst also redoing my A levels) during term time.

I think regardless of culture, if your parents are helping you out financially, they do get a say in your life. Obviously, in some cultures, they do have more influence.

I am not a RG or nothing or top 20 or nothing type of person- it depends a lot on the field you want to work in. Unfortunately, law is one of those fields where the uni you go to does have more of an impact (as it's quite a traditional field). What area of law would you want to go into in the future?

Have you thought about seeing if a second year transfer is possible?

Well...here is the thing. I am 80% sure that I don't want to pursue a legal career post-graduation. I have done two work experiences at city law firms, and I simply cannot imagine having to defend an immoral person/company. I am currently considering a career in the civil service, politics, or something along those lines. I want to study law for the simple fact that it had been my favourite subject of study, and I truly enjoyed contract and tort law, and I cannot wait to learn more about the intricacies of the subject.

Perhaps a lot of work experience plus the masters would help me find a job?

I did not like some of them due to the campus (Middlesex and LSB), the small library + over 300 students for the subject + the very large seminars and tutorials (Westminister). But, moreover, I did not feel as if I belonged there. I visited them all today and on my way home I was just silently crying and praying that I won't be miserable for 3 years in the one I end up choosing.

Furthermore, I am waiting on my remarks and I am worried that my BCC will become ABB and then I won't have the possibility to attend a better university, such as SOAS or City (since the places would be gone by then, and transferring to the university will force me to redo year 1).

Hello,

To cut it straight to the point, on results day I failed to achieve my A*AA, lost my place at LSE and QMUL and ended up in Clearing (with BCC and a D* in a BTEC). I have been given offers for LLB Law from Westminster, London South Bank and Middlesex (as well as UEL). However, post visiting each university, I realised that I did not end up liking any of them.

My family would prefer if I just went to any university and the just do a masters at LSE. However, I am starting to consider retaking (something my family finds unacceptable since they believe I could come out with the same grades and just waste a precious year of my education).

Any advice?