The Student Room Group

Clearing after a gap year with poor grades

I applied for uni this year after taking a gap year. My A-Level grades were absolutely miserable, and I only have something like 76 UCAS points. I got rejected from my first choice and insurance, not too unexpected, however I was offered an unconditional at my insurance on a different course. I’m not too thrilled about the course I’ve been offered - it’s not too dissimilar to my original choice, but I’m just unsure. Essentially what I’m stuck on, is with my miserable grades, do I still have a shot at finding a place I may enjoy more through clearing? Or would I be shooting myself in the foot by rejecting this unconditional offer? Do I have a better shot at clearing due to having my grades already, and being able to start the clearing process as soon as it opens in July? I’m so worried that I’ll decline this place and then I won’t find anything in clearing. Any advice appreciated!!

Reply 1

Original post
by pinkiabs
I applied for uni this year after taking a gap year. My A-Level grades were absolutely miserable, and I only have something like 76 UCAS points. I got rejected from my first choice and insurance, not too unexpected, however I was offered an unconditional at my insurance on a different course. I’m not too thrilled about the course I’ve been offered - it’s not too dissimilar to my original choice, but I’m just unsure. Essentially what I’m stuck on, is with my miserable grades, do I still have a shot at finding a place I may enjoy more through clearing? Or would I be shooting myself in the foot by rejecting this unconditional offer? Do I have a better shot at clearing due to having my grades already, and being able to start the clearing process as soon as it opens in July? I’m so worried that I’ll decline this place and then I won’t find anything in clearing. Any advice appreciated!!

Hi! If you've been offered an unconditional place in a university that you're interested in, then there is no harm in accepting this offer. You will still be able to apply to other courses through clearing, you'd just have to withdraw yourself from the offer you previously accepted before adding your clearing offer. The university you apply for and UCAS will be able to advise on that at the time if you end up in that situation, but it should be pretty simple 🙂

Reply 2

Original post
by pinkiabs
I applied for uni this year after taking a gap year. My A-Level grades were absolutely miserable, and I only have something like 76 UCAS points. I got rejected from my first choice and insurance, not too unexpected, however I was offered an unconditional at my insurance on a different course. I’m not too thrilled about the course I’ve been offered - it’s not too dissimilar to my original choice, but I’m just unsure. Essentially what I’m stuck on, is with my miserable grades, do I still have a shot at finding a place I may enjoy more through clearing? Or would I be shooting myself in the foot by rejecting this unconditional offer? Do I have a better shot at clearing due to having my grades already, and being able to start the clearing process as soon as it opens in July? I’m so worried that I’ll decline this place and then I won’t find anything in clearing. Any advice appreciated!!

What course are you applying for? Have you used all five of your choices?

Quick Reply