If you haven't got the minimum grade to get into the race you want, what do you do?

To see that you haven't got the minimum grade to enter the university you want is a severe blow. In many homes there are days of nervousness, frustration and ignorance, and the same question prevails in both students and family members: what now? When a door is closed, it is essential to explore alternatives, which is the main task of school counselors at this time.

"We always tell students to put different options on the table, everything to look at from a broader perspective," says Maialen Aranbarri , High School Counselor at Urretxu Zumarraga Ikastola (Lyceum). In order not to cut the rope, she recommends a clear procedure: "In general, we advise them to enroll in Vocational Training and various universities.

However, before exploring other avenues, the university door is not completely closed with the June results; the first alternative is within the university itself.

The UPV guidance technicians, Mireya de Castro and Maite Urtiaga , have sent a clear and hopeful message: "Yes, waiting lists move throughout the enrollment process. This year, for example, from 11 July to 8 September, six admission lists will be published, so it is very important to consult the situation with each new list."

They explain that there is a lot of movement in degrees in Health Sciences, for example. Because of their high grades, students apply from different universities and provinces for more opportunities.

Another option, they add from the UPV/EHU, is to enroll in a similar degree in the same branch of knowledge: "There are degrees that share many subjects and many credits are validated, but it should be studied on a case-by-case basis." Thus, knowing and analysing all information beforehand is the best strategy when deciding.

Jon Busto , head of communication at FP Tolosaldea, is clear that cycles are strategic pathways for both employment and university: "They offer practical training and high employability without closing academic opportunities." For example, those who have not joined the Sports Degree (JFKZG) then go to their cycles to make the leap to university.

"When we move from computer cycles to UPV/EHU Engineering, we have an agreement to complete the degree in three years," explains Busto. The Baccalaureate Counselor also believes that the negative image of the FP is changing because it facilitates access to the university and provides rapid job opportunities.

In any case, from Tolosaldea they warn of the importance of pre-registration: "It is advisable to leave the doors open just in case."

Running again in July is an option to raise the grade, but with a limit. The High School counselor warns that the increase in grades in the extraordinary call means that they are placed on the lists later, and places are usually almost full. The review of the June exams is also an option, "but the student must be sure, because there is also a risk of lowering the grade."

With regard to the sabbatical year, Maialen Aranbarri has acknowledged that it has rarely happened to her and has pointed out that in some cases it may be useful to clarify interests, but with clear objectives: "It is advisable toorganize time well , for example, to prepare university entrance tests (USaP). "To take advantage of this stop, she has also proposed other ways:" Study foreign languages, stay outside or start work, to gain experience and maturity. "

There are two other options on the table, each with its own lights and shadows: to go to a public university outside the Basque Country or to choose a private university. The latter generally do not require a minimum grade.

Experts agree that there is no single way to get to the desired university career, and that the best strategy is to take into account all the alternatives. Depending on the degree chosen and the situation of the student, each case must be analysed in a personalized way to assess the most appropriate option, since starting a similar degree and applying for a transfer the following year, trying to improve the grade of access to the university, or performing a Higher Secondary Vocational Training Cycle in the same field, are valid ways to reach the same destination.