TEARS of joy mingled with tears of disappointment yesterday when the A Level results were announced.
But Sheffield teenager Erica Fidorra could be forgiven for thinking exams are a complete waste of time.
Erica, now 18, took her A Levels last year a full 12 months early.
She scored an impressive four straight As but that wasn't enough to get her into medical school.
Erica took an aptitude test, volunteered in hospitals, doctors' surgeries and nursing homes but still hasn't got a place on the highly oversubscribed Sheffield University course.
What else could universities possibly demand of our youngsters? Erica isn't alone. Across the country teenagers are scoring straight grade As and being turned down for medical school.
One ambitious 17-year-old predicted I know who was predicted to get four As applied to six universities and was knocked back by every one. Talk about taking the wind out of your sails.
Usually hard work pays off, or at least it's supposed to.
But try telling that to Erica and her pals. It's sad to see such talent going to waste.
We should either increase the number of places available or reduce the number of money-spinning places offered to foreign students. This is a system that's badly in need of first aid.
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