It is interesting that in the UK Clearing is becoming a way for students to exercise more flexibility over the university application system, when it was previously much more common as a second chance system.
There is no reason for a student to be nervous or disappointed about ending up in clearing since a lot of excellent choices are still available through clearing. But for overseas or International students, clearing might not be a positive first choice option.
Overseas students have much to plan for prior to taking up a place at university abroad. While some do end up in clearing, many students feel a certain amount of confidence if they have chosen where they are likely to end up and familiarized themselves with their likely living and study environment.
Clearing is a good process but I can see a benefit for students taking up a place in a location they have researched. A student who finds it difficult to make a firm choice about a pathway of study before they have completed their final year will be able to use clearing, but choosing a study program probably begins a long time before the final year of school.
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