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Thursday
19th August was A-Level day for many in Cornwall.
If
you didn't get the grades you require the first thing to say is
Don't Panic!
There
are lots of organisations around to explain the various options
open for you.
This
page lists the agencies that offer advice.
Try
to think positively - there are still loads of options open to you.
If
you've applied to uni and your grades are only slightly lower, call
the university or college direct. They may still be willing to accept
you.
If
not, you can still go through clearing where students are matched
up with free uni places.
The
Clearing Process
The
UCAS Clearing service matches candidates up with suitable higher
education vacancies.
If
you're eligible for Clearing, UCAS will automatically send you a
Clearing Entry Form (CEF) and an information booklet.
Vacancies
are listed in the Independent and The Independent on Sunday starting
from the 12 August 2003 for Scottish vacancies and from the 14 August
for the rest of the UK.
Call
the free 91热爆 One Life; results helpline on 0808 100 8000.
Open continuously from results day until 31 August 2004. You can
talk to a careers adviser who will have access to all the latest
information on Clearing, vacancies and even be able to tell you
if you've got your place - even if you're not got your results yet!
Remember,
Clearing Is Not An Option For You If Any Of The Following Apply:
1.
You have withdrawn from the UCAS scheme.
2. Your conditional offer has been confirmed.
3. You decide not to take your confirmed offer.
If
you didn't get the A Level/AS Level or Higher Still grades you'd
hoped for, and you don't want to go through Clearing to get a new
place at university, it may be worth resitting your exams.
Why
Would I Want To Do Resits?
If
your grades improve, you may be able to get in to your dream university.
You
may be able to retake your exams later this year (maths resits are
usually in November and the rest are in January, depending on the
examining body) so if you're planning to take a year out, you've
still got time to retake and go travelling.
It's
possible you might have to do part of your course again or retake
all the units, but it might be worth it in the long run if you're
going into a career which pays a lot of attention to exam results.
Or you could take a one-year course in a different subject.
Talk
to your school or college careers advisor as well as your subject
tutor to find out what your options are. They can help you decide
if resits are a good idea for you.
Where
Can I Do Resits?
At
your old school or college. Most places offer a resit programme
although it might be weird if most of your mates have left.
At
home - you could work through your old textbooks and get some occasional
private tuition.
At
a fee-paying crammer college.
At another school or college.
You may be entitled to funding during this time.
Getting
Papers Marked Again
If
your grades are so far off your expectations that you think there's
been a mistake, here's the lowdown on having the papers marked again:
For
2004, the deadline for requesting re-marks is 19 September.
Having a paper re-marked costs money. How much depends on your examining
board.
Talk to your teacher and ask them if they think there may be a reason
for the low grade.
If you want to go ahead, approach the exam boards through your school
or college.
Play the waiting game. It's unlikely you'll find out your re-mark
grade before the beginning of the academic year in September.
It's worth remembering that papers can also be downgraded!
What
are my other options...?
Have
you considered Modern Apprenticeships or other non-academic courses
that could still get you to your goal?
Modern
Apprenticeships give you the chance to get a job in an area of work
you are interested in, get paid the wage for the job and get nationally-recognised
training while you work.
There
are hundreds of opportunities for school and college leavers with
local employers who understand the importance of training their
young workforce.
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