got my entry clearance today!!

Because my acceptance for registration part 1 was only for 6 months, I took a risk and flew to France to enter and get the visa at the port of entry.

I got a 30 or so minute interview, which was nerve wracking to say the least, and came with every bit of documentation I could think of in hand.

Since I had a return ticket booked for November, I only have clearance until then, and I'll have to reapply when I'm in the US for a full student visa.

But this means I can register next week, get my student loan money, and actually be enrolled and on the way to my PhD.

YAY!

(and the Suitehotel in Roissy-en-France is a sucky place to spend a night alone.)

Congrats! 

Boring correction:  entry clearance is what you apply for in your home country, you were applying for leave to enter.

Can I ask why didn't you just apply for entry clearance before travelling, rather than doing it in such a chancy and nerve-wracking way?

Congrats   

Congrats!

Congratulations on your clearance! 

i've been in the uk since april. i'd planned on going back to the us in june and getting the visa, but got shingles and couldn't fly. rescheduled that flight to sept,figuring i'd get it then. found out two weeks ago from the uni that i couldn't register or get my student loan funds until i had a student visa of some sort. thus the quicky trip to france.

i wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

Sounds a nightmare.  And you just squeaked in before the rules change too:  after tomorrow, getting a student visa on arrival will be impossible.