In Corsica, candidates are torn between joy and disappointment over the first Parcoursup results.

On a witnessed a blend of  tears ,  joyful shouts ,  sighs of relief , and at times,  disappointment . On Monday, June 2nd, starting at 19:00, nearly  one million high school seniors  and students undergoing career changes across Corsica and the mainland eagerly awaited their  higher education admission results  through the  Parcoursup  platform.

Mathis, a senior at  Lycée Paul Vincensini  in Bastia, had fixated on his laptop since 18:30,  refreshing the webpage frantically . When he finally accessed the results, he felt an immense burden lift from his shoulders. *“I clicked, saw ‘yes’ for law at Corte. I couldn’t hold back my tears of joy,”* he shared, still overwhelmed.

At  Lycée Giocante de Casabianca , Fanny had submitted a total of  nine applications . She received  five positive responses , three waiting lists… and one rejection. However, it didn’t deter her: *“I got accepted to Sciences Po in Paris. It was my absolute dream.”*

While some students erupted in happiness, others remained  silent in bitterness , less fortunate during this initial admission phase. For  Laura , a student at  Lycée Vincensini , the news was a  cold shower . Her ambition to pursue law at  prestigious universities  on the mainland hinged on seven different applications. What was the outcome? Seven waiting lists. Not a single acceptance, yet not a definitive rejection either. *“I haven’t received any positive responses. I hope things will change in the coming days… I check the rankings every five minutes. It’s tough, but thankfully some of the programs are not too far,”* she confided.

*“The difficulty is that everything depends on other candidates. They must respond quickly to their offers so that spots can open up. All I can hope for is that others make decisions swiftly, allowing me to move up in the rankings and have a chance of being accepted,”* she sobbed, feeling overwhelmed. For weeks,  seniors  on the island have been under pressure, preparing for their  baccalauréat  exams amid this emotional turmoil.

Since its implementation in 2018, the  Parcoursup  platform has sparked frustration among students due to the  prolonged procedures ,  stressful waits , and  limited spots . Notably, results often arrive just days before the  baccalauréat  exams.

*“The selection process is brutal, and openings are scarce,”* recounted  Eva , a student at  Lycée Giocante de Casabianca  in Bastia, who secured her wish to study medicine in Corte. *“Parcoursup isn’t a lottery; your academic record plays a crucial role. Those who might be pushed aside are mostly those who did not invest enough in their studies over the past two years.”* Now, the focus shifts to the  baccalauréat , as without this vital diploma, her educational aspirations might collapse.

As in previous years,  licences  gain traction among future graduates. According to a report from the Ministry of Higher Education published on May 26th, nationally,  70% of high school students  submitted at least one application for a  licence program  on  Parcoursup .  Law  topped the list of the most sought-after fields, followed by  psychology ,  economics-management ,  mathematics ,  STAPS ,  life sciences ,  languages  (LLCER and LEA),  history , and  health pathways  (LAS).

Furthermore,  BTS  remains a popular choice, accounting for  27.6%  of applications this year.

In the coming days, pivotal decisions await candidates. Between June 6th and June 10th, applicants with pending applications will be required to rank their preferences. Any unranked waiting list applications will be permanently eliminated on June 11th. This move aims to  expedite the process , facilitating quicker advancements for candidates on waiting lists, which only evolve as spots become available from those who are better positioned. Additionally, it is noteworthy that new applications will be accepted from June 11th to September 11th for programs with remaining openings.