‘What did you get?’ is a simple enough question but it is often loaded with anxiety and uncomfortable to answer. I remember my own A Level Results day well: My closest friends and I decided we’d meet at school to collect our results and then open them together. Such was our apprehension of the moment when it came to opening the ominous brown envelope that we had all found a quiet spot of our own, presumably to digest the contents before coming back together to face ‘What did you get?’
A Level Results day is undoubtedly extremely important and can help to shape a young adult’s future. That said, if the results achieved were not as expected there are still a number of options for students to consider:
- Check your grades against your offers: Your online UCAS Track account will outline conditions of your university offers – if for some reason you cannot access this information you should have written confirmation of your offer from each university. Check your final grades against these carefully before rushing to any conclusions. It is important to note, that even if you have not achieved the conditions of your offer, some universities or colleges may provide you with an alternative offer – a 'changed course offer' (which you'll need to accept or decline). This will be outlined on your UCAS Track account. If you are in any doubt contact UCAS to discuss your options. Please note they will be extremely busy so you may have to wait sometime before speaking with an adviser.
- Talk to your teacher: In the majority of cases, members of the school staff will be on hand, either face-to-face or on the phone, to discuss the next steps with students. School staff are likely to have dealt with all manner of situations before and as such are usually best placed to provide you with the ‘next steps’. If you have not met the conditions of your offers it is always advisable to go into school and meet a member of staff face-to-face.
- Phone your intended university: Take advice from your school teachers and even UCAS before calling your universities. In our experience it is rare to be offered a place having missed an offer. However it can be worth ringing a university when you have not met the conditions of your offer if you:
- have just missed out on a grade by a couple of UMS marks
- intend to appeal a particular grade due to extenuating circumstances.
When talking to university admissions services remember to remain calm, speak clearly and listen intently.
- Go through Clearing: If you have not been offered a place you can search through the Clearing service to see what’s available.
Should you get lost in all of the options above you may wish to seek independent advice. Keystone has a wealth of experience in offering university advice, so do give us a call if needs be.
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