Hi everyone

One question. Regarding references, the practice is that they need to be enclosed with the application and sent by post (although some exceptions). This is a major issue when applying for severel Unis. Can you certify the references (this would imply I had to open the envelopes with the references)? Is there any other to go around this? How did you cope with this issue?

The solution might be to request about 20 references to my Uni teachers...

I just went to three tutors and asked if they could write me 4 refs each, and put them in marked envelopes. Simple.

Thank for the reply

Thats the easiest way, for sure.

But the some Unis have different reference requirements and even specific forms. One more thing, is there a template of reference anywhere, just to save some trouble for the tutors...

Cheers

Oh right, I'm with you. All I did was just give them all the forms etc and just put a covering letter on explaining what needed to go where and they seemed to be ok with that and they seemed to do the trick.

That's exactly what I did, too. They won't do it for the first time... You have no choice, I think. And definitely never ever open a reference letter, you are not supposed to see it. Some places even provide the possibility to submit electronic references, in those cases you could provide your profs with the login and they'd do it directly online. However, mine preferred the writing.

Yeah I agree, I just asked my tutors and they all seemed happy to help, and they signed over the envelopes and put selotape over the seal, this seems to be the standard method and worked out just fine for me.

Thank you for your replies.

Hum. So, I better start buying envelopes and selotape. Basically the tutor seals the envelope with selotape and then signs on top of it, right?

I'll have to do a more general referece template for Unis where no form is provided. I think Bristol's Guidelines are pretty good. In addition, then you have UCL rules, where you only provide the tutor's email, and then the Uni contacts the relevant contact.

Thank you for your help.

Cheers

Errr, the other way round, sign then selotape!!! Erm, for my UCL one I think there was a form and then an additional attached form (I did mine via post, I prefer paper, plus it saves you £25)

How sending by post saved you money? Normally is the expensive way. Btw, I think UCL does not require we send references, we only need to give the tutor's email and then the Uni will send the form to them. We only receive a note confirming the Uni has receive the references (when same are provided by the tutors, of course). Am I wrong?

Cheers

Hmmm, there's a fee to apply online, and not by post, so it didn't cost anything. I definitely had to send in my references for UCL, there was a form for them to fill in and then a reference was to be attached. I think they even gave you the envelopes to use.

Hi

I applied to 8 Univs in January 2008 and sent my references and transcripts on April 9, 2008 through a friend who's studying in London. He's forwarded them to the respective Univs.

My referees didn't have time to write individual references for each Univ and though some of the Univs had referee report forms, I just gave my referees the forms and they enclosed them in the envelopes and then signed and sealed the reference letters/ envelopes. A general reference was acceptable to all the Univs I applied to.

I've gotten admission (email confirmation so far) to Manchester Univ. for a LLM in International Business Law.

All the best

Cheers
Prash

One thing I should add is that it really is crucial that you ask your referees to write references for the individual Universities; my tutor is a fellow at Oxford and informed me that different Uni's look for different things, making it a good idea that they tailor their references. I got round the problem of having to ask for a silly amount of letters by only applying to places where I was realistically considering going, 3, and therefore my tutors were all keen to help.

You are right! But I think a good personal statement a good reference might be able to get in a top Uni. I'm counting on some top references to get me in KCL and UCL. Lets see.

I think I'm gonna go for individual references. Moreover, the forms provided have to be wrote by hand, which might be a pain in the a** for the tutors, who, some, I reckon would just prefer to sign a general reference letter. Nonetheless I'm gonna force this because it may decide in my favour whether I get in a top Uni or not.

Btw, congrats for your Manchester admission (I'm also gonna apply there for 2009).

Cheers