Sophie Bennett has just completed her degree in Biomedical Science and is about to start her journey at the University of Worcester’s Medical School.
It’s a very exciting time for Sophie, but when she opened the envelope containing her grades on A-Level Results Day three years ago, she was distraught. Having not made the grades to get into her first-choice university, she was faced with going to her insurance choice – somewhere she’d never visited.
However, after applying to come to the University of Worcester through Clearing, she says she couldn’t be happier with how things have turned out as she takes another vital step on the road to fulfilling her dream of being a doctor.
“I want people to know that just because you go through Clearing, just because you didn’t get into your first-choice university, doesn’t mean things aren’t going to go the way you want them to,” said the 21-year-old, of Bromsgrove.
Sophie’s results were determined by earlier tests she had done, as due to Covid-19 the A-Level exams that year did not go ahead. “I never thought I’d need Clearing,” she said. “I thought my life was over and I’d never achieve anything. You open that paper and think what now? I was distraught.”
On a visit to her insurance choice university the next day, she realised it wasn’t where she wanted to be. It was on the journey back that her mum, who was studying Paramedic Science, suggested trying the university that she was studying at – the University of Worcester.
Visiting on a dedicated Clearing Open Day the next day changed everything for Sophie, particularly as she was able to speak to a lecturer, and she knew it was the place for her.
“I remember it being a lot easier than I thought, but it was quite scary – the thought of having to speak to someone and say I’ve failed and I’ve not made it,” she said. “But even speaking to him definitely made a massive impact. He asked what I was interested in and said he thought Biomedical Science was the course for me. He made me feel like I could do it and if I couldn’t do it the lecturers would be there to support me. It was just a first impression thing. Everyone was so lovely and so welcoming.”
This convinced her to apply and having got her place and accommodation the process she said seemed to go very quickly. She said along the way there were always people at the University that she could turn to for advice. “It was a very quick turnaround, there were still people to contact if I had any questions at Worcester and they replied to me quickly with any questions or queries,” she added.
Three years later, Sophie has finished her Biomedical Science degree, and has applied for and secured a place to study medicine at the University of Worcester’s Graduate Entry Medical School.
More than a thousand people applied for the fifty places which Worcester was finally allocated after several years of campaigning.
Sophie is now looking forward to starting her studies next month, with a view to working as an emergency doctor. Applying to medical school she said had never seemed like an option, but she said being at Worcester gave her the confidence to put herself forward. She said: “I’m really glad I came here. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made.”
Her advice to others who don’t get the grades they hope for is simple. “It’s going to be okay,” she said. “Just take a minute, make peace with what you’ve got first, because it’s not going to help to be down, and look at all your options. It feels like the end of the world but it’s not, there are better things to come.”
The University of Worcester has places available on a variety of courses through Clearing this year.
The Clearing hotline – 01905 855111 – is open now for those who already have their results, and will be open from 8am on Thursday, August 15, as thousands of young people collect their A-level results. Those who accept a place through Clearing 2024 will be found a place in University accommodation.
Anyone wanting to visit the University of Worcester can take advantage of the Clearing Visit Days at the St John’s Campus on Friday 16th August and Saturday 17th August. Visit the website to book your place or find out more www.worcester.ac.uk/clearing.