The clearing process when applying to university can be a rollercoaster and confusing. Many times, students going into clearing weren’t expecting to get into higher education this way, but look at it as a second chance.
Preparing for Clearing Calls
Preparing for a clearing call with the university’s hotline can be your most anxious moment through the whole process, but with a little preparation, you can make the whole experience smoother.
Before you start calling the universities, make sure you take these steps:
- Prepare your documents: Have your clearing number, UCAS ID and your grades in front of you for when the moment comes
- Questions: Have your questions ready, even if you think you don’t have any. It always gives a good impression and shows you’re actually interested in the university and in the course. Some questions can be about accommodation, campus facilities, and course content.
- Keep your head high: Stay positive and polite to your admission officers. They understand this is a high-stress situation, so don’t be scared to make a little mistake, they’re here to help you and not to criticize you.
Dealing with Rejection and Disappointment
As much as this is difficult, rejection is very much a real thing during clearing. There are many students trying to get in like you are, but remember a “no” doesn’t reflect on your abilities or worth, it’s simply part of the process. And dealing with this rejection isn’t always easy, so here are a few tips on how to handle these feeling:
- Accept your emotions: It’s totally normal to feel discouraged to continue with the process and disappointed, but give yourself time to process your feelings
- Stay positive: Just because one university rejected you, doesn’t mean they all will. The right university that will fit you perfectly will be a yes
Accepting a Clearing Offer
When you’ve finally received an offer from the university and course you wanted, it’s time to accept it! And here’s how you’ll do it
- Accept your offer on UCAS Track: when the university confirms they have accepted you through clearing, log into your UCAS account and add the course
- Celebrate the whole process: Going through clearing certainly wasn’t easy, so don’t forget to celebrate your victories, even if you think they were small. This is something for you to be proud of
Clearing is only the beginning of your journey. You might look at it as a setback, but this is just the beginning of your university life and when you look back at it, you will appreciate going through this process. Don’t let yourself be demotivated by a “no”; this just means you haven’t found the perfect fit for you, so keep looking!
