Personal stories from Clearing
Results day 2024 is nearly here and it's always a good idea to have a plan ready. Clearing is a great option if your grades are higher or lower than you expected and you want to see what other places are available - or if you've changed your mind about your existing offers.
At TSR, we want to emphasise that you aren't defined by your results and that we're here to give you a helping hand to #FindYourFuture no matter what the outcome is. It can be challenging to change things up so quickly, but sometimes an unexpected path can lead to incredible opportunities!
In the spirit of helping each other, we want to create a space for you to share how you might have changed your plans and it worked out!
Did you go through clearing?
How did it turn out for you?
What was it like to change your plans?
What advice would you give to students in a similar situation now?
We can't wait to hear what you have to say!
This year The Student Room is encouraging everyone to #FindYourFuture
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Not clearing exactly, but something happened on my results day that I didn't even realise was possible - my firm uni hadn't actually given a decision on my application. I was expecting an accept or a reject from them, and on the morning of results day I got nothing. Phoned them, they said they were still considering my application. Kind of turned everything upside down because I had no news to tell people, no idea where I was going. Uni was weeks away and I didn't quite know where I was going to be living. Pretty scary.
Got some great advice on The Student Room, ended up going to my insurance uni. Had a little panic about accommodation (tag me if you want to know more), but all ended up alright in the end.
If you're feeling anxious / panicking / scared, you are not alone + we are here to help.
Got some great advice on The Student Room, ended up going to my insurance uni. Had a little panic about accommodation (tag me if you want to know more), but all ended up alright in the end.
If you're feeling anxious / panicking / scared, you are not alone + we are here to help.
Original post by 04MR17
Not clearing exactly, but something happened on my results day that I didn't even realise was possible - my firm uni hadn't actually given a decision on my application. I was expecting an accept or a reject from them, and on the morning of results day I got nothing. Phoned them, they said they were still considering my application. Kind of turned everything upside down because I had no news to tell people, no idea where I was going. Uni was weeks away and I didn't quite know where I was going to be living. Pretty scary.
Got some great advice on The Student Room, ended up going to my insurance uni. Had a little panic about accommodation (tag me if you want to know more), but all ended up alright in the end.
If you're feeling anxious / panicking / scared, you are not alone + we are here to help.
Got some great advice on The Student Room, ended up going to my insurance uni. Had a little panic about accommodation (tag me if you want to know more), but all ended up alright in the end.
If you're feeling anxious / panicking / scared, you are not alone + we are here to help.
It’s ridiculous that universities are allowed to do that!! It must have been so stressful. If you don’t mind me asking, how long ago was this and did you make a complaint?
Original post by LittleFire10
It’s ridiculous that universities are allowed to do that!! It must have been so stressful. If you don’t mind me asking, how long ago was this and did you make a complaint?
2017, no complaint - they are allowed to do it. Some universities keep hold of applicants with near misses to see if they can find anyone better in Clearing (which they often do). The situation is so common that UCAS have now created a function for the university to share the reason why the applicant's status has not been confirmed. That was new last year.
Advice in this scenario is always to phone the university you are waiting on and ask them what the delay is for. They get your results DAYS in advance, so there's little excuse to say they haven't processed them in time. However, it's also sensible to start ringing other unis and prepare further options as a plan B - unless you've met the requirements of your insurance and you're happy to study there.
This story isn't directly about me but I am a student and got the opportunity to work as a clearing assistant last year and had a phone call from an applicant on results day who was in tears about not reaching her predicted A Level grades due to extenuating circumstances surrounding her health . She was stressed and anxious and still really wanted to study biomedical science . After a few minutes on the phone we managed to get her an offer for the foundation course and by the end of our call there was a little light at the end of her tunnel. I have had several calls like this over clearing and it is such a great experience every time I get to be a positive part of someone's story. I would advise anyone to try give a call to a few universities on results day if things don't go as planned because you are allowed to have as many clearing offers as you want but you can only add one to your UCAS.
Cece ✨
Energy Engineering
De Montfort University
Cece ✨
Energy Engineering
De Montfort University
Ive previously shared my results day story.
I was rejected from my firm choice university & went to my backup choice (i felt incredibly deflated, felt like i had failed and it was really the first time i had experienced a significant knock back from a goal of mine). I deserved to get rejected though, I didn’t work particularly hard for my A-levels mostly coasted by.
I ended up not resitting kind of taking a gamble going to a university I hadn’t done much research on (and had never actually visited beforehand). But i ended up going and doing very well, I learnt my lesson from A-levels and decided to actually invest mentally in my education and loved my subject, I achieved a first class honours in a STEM subject. I also as part of this was able to get internships & a year in industry at “blue chip companies” in technical roles. I also had a class social life & met some great people - despite not really being enthusiastic initially for my university; after I arrived at university i really invested in myself in and my time was amazing! One thing I realised is your attitude and what you look for is what you get back, university name is far less important & focusing on your aspirations is what you can control and will dictate your achievements & happiness.
This really set me up well I ended up being awarded government scholarships & funding for my postgraduate studies (i have a masters & PhD and moved to another institution and due to my strong undergraduate academics & CV I could basically go wherever I wanted for postgrad and had funding so didn’t have to be burdened financially for this). Now I am a published scientific author, I also regularly get invitations to present at international conferences and I have worked at renowned technology companies and have been paid to advise/consult with several multinational companies on their scientific/r&d programs.
I think getting rejected results day was the best thing that happened to me, without this I would never have changed my attitude towards academics and probably coasted through my undergrad studies when working hard & with focus here was the key which opened the door to lots of fantastic things that have come down the road.
If you go through clearing don’t be disheartened, focus on what you want from university, what achievements would make you proud & open the doors you want at the end of the road. Your attitude & goals are what is really important (not the name on the door).
I was rejected from my firm choice university & went to my backup choice (i felt incredibly deflated, felt like i had failed and it was really the first time i had experienced a significant knock back from a goal of mine). I deserved to get rejected though, I didn’t work particularly hard for my A-levels mostly coasted by.
I ended up not resitting kind of taking a gamble going to a university I hadn’t done much research on (and had never actually visited beforehand). But i ended up going and doing very well, I learnt my lesson from A-levels and decided to actually invest mentally in my education and loved my subject, I achieved a first class honours in a STEM subject. I also as part of this was able to get internships & a year in industry at “blue chip companies” in technical roles. I also had a class social life & met some great people - despite not really being enthusiastic initially for my university; after I arrived at university i really invested in myself in and my time was amazing! One thing I realised is your attitude and what you look for is what you get back, university name is far less important & focusing on your aspirations is what you can control and will dictate your achievements & happiness.
This really set me up well I ended up being awarded government scholarships & funding for my postgraduate studies (i have a masters & PhD and moved to another institution and due to my strong undergraduate academics & CV I could basically go wherever I wanted for postgrad and had funding so didn’t have to be burdened financially for this). Now I am a published scientific author, I also regularly get invitations to present at international conferences and I have worked at renowned technology companies and have been paid to advise/consult with several multinational companies on their scientific/r&d programs.
I think getting rejected results day was the best thing that happened to me, without this I would never have changed my attitude towards academics and probably coasted through my undergrad studies when working hard & with focus here was the key which opened the door to lots of fantastic things that have come down the road.
If you go through clearing don’t be disheartened, focus on what you want from university, what achievements would make you proud & open the doors you want at the end of the road. Your attitude & goals are what is really important (not the name on the door).
(edited 7 months ago)
Original post by CamembertPaws
x
Did you go through clearing?
How did it turn out for you?
What was it like to change your plans?
What advice would you give to students in a similar situation now?
We can't wait to hear what you have to say!
Did you go through clearing?
How did it turn out for you?
What was it like to change your plans?
What advice would you give to students in a similar situation now?
We can't wait to hear what you have to say!
Great thread!
Did you go through clearing?
Yes I did go through clearing back in 2017
I had a feeling I wouldn't make my offers as I had a nasty Maths A-level exam experience plus my physics A-level paper was pretty horrid too, so I wasn't too sure what my grades were going to look like.
How did it turn out for you?
Really great, because whilst I didn't meet my firm/insurance, I was able to get onto the Chemistry course of one of my top 5 choices originally which was awesome.
What's more, I did really well on my degree and was able to transfer onto the MChem programme which I always wanted to do
I got a first class degree in Chemistry with Honours and since graduating, spent 2 years working as an industrial chemist and now work as a materials/analytical scientist where I am having so much fun
What was it like to change your plans?
On the morning of results day, I felt quite nauseous but was proactive and just got on with the clearing process.
I'd prepared for this moment and had researched a list of Unis and courses that I had considered for clearing.
In the end I phoned up loads and got many verbal offers meaning I could take some time to think about what was important and choose a favourite.
Turns out, my original UCAS top 5 choice (Southampton) would take me on for the BSc which I accepted. This was awesome because I'd already been on the open day and liked the course/area.
What advice would you give to students in a similar situation now?
Don't panic! There is still an awesome opportunity out there for you to go to Uni.
Take some time to research, get some options, phone some Unis and consider your verbal offers.
You got this, Clearing is nothing to be ashamed of and you can achieve amazing things as Uni is just the start of your life/career
Original post by CheeseIsVeg
Great thread!
Did you go through clearing?
Yes I did go through clearing back in 2017
I had a feeling I wouldn't make my offers as I had a nasty Maths A-level exam experience plus my physics A-level paper was pretty horrid too, so I wasn't too sure what my grades were going to look like.
How did it turn out for you?
Really great, because whilst I didn't meet my firm/insurance, I was able to get onto the Chemistry course of one of my top 5 choices originally which was awesome.
What's more, I did really well on my degree and was able to transfer onto the MChem programme which I always wanted to do
I got a first class degree in Chemistry with Honours and since graduating, spent 2 years working as an industrial chemist and now work as a materials/analytical scientist where I am having so much fun
What was it like to change your plans?
On the morning of results day, I felt quite nauseous but was proactive and just got on with the clearing process.
I'd prepared for this moment and had researched a list of Unis and courses that I had considered for clearing.
In the end I phoned up loads and got many verbal offers meaning I could take some time to think about what was important and choose a favourite.
Turns out, my original UCAS top 5 choice (Southampton) would take me on for the BSc which I accepted. This was awesome because I'd already been on the open day and liked the course/area.
What advice would you give to students in a similar situation now?
Don't panic! There is still an awesome opportunity out there for you to go to Uni.
Take some time to research, get some options, phone some Unis and consider your verbal offers.
You got this, Clearing is nothing to be ashamed of and you can achieve amazing things as Uni is just the start of your life/career
Did you go through clearing?
Yes I did go through clearing back in 2017
I had a feeling I wouldn't make my offers as I had a nasty Maths A-level exam experience plus my physics A-level paper was pretty horrid too, so I wasn't too sure what my grades were going to look like.
How did it turn out for you?
Really great, because whilst I didn't meet my firm/insurance, I was able to get onto the Chemistry course of one of my top 5 choices originally which was awesome.
What's more, I did really well on my degree and was able to transfer onto the MChem programme which I always wanted to do
I got a first class degree in Chemistry with Honours and since graduating, spent 2 years working as an industrial chemist and now work as a materials/analytical scientist where I am having so much fun
What was it like to change your plans?
On the morning of results day, I felt quite nauseous but was proactive and just got on with the clearing process.
I'd prepared for this moment and had researched a list of Unis and courses that I had considered for clearing.
In the end I phoned up loads and got many verbal offers meaning I could take some time to think about what was important and choose a favourite.
Turns out, my original UCAS top 5 choice (Southampton) would take me on for the BSc which I accepted. This was awesome because I'd already been on the open day and liked the course/area.
What advice would you give to students in a similar situation now?
Don't panic! There is still an awesome opportunity out there for you to go to Uni.
Take some time to research, get some options, phone some Unis and consider your verbal offers.
You got this, Clearing is nothing to be ashamed of and you can achieve amazing things as Uni is just the start of your life/career
Just to add @CheeseIsVeg also created an AMA if you're wanting to ask them about their own personal experience going through Clearing here!
Guiding Students Through Post-Results Day Decisions: As a Careers Advisor, you play a crucial role in helping students navigate their options after Results Day. Whether they’ve secured a place, are considering Clearing, or are unsure of their next steps, your advice is invaluable. Let’s share strategies, resources, and experiences to support these students in making informed decisions about their futures.
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