DD1 Uni application. No reference!

[FlamingGalar]

DD1 has been so torn about applying for Uni. Basically huge lack of confidence has stopped her, but at the nth hour she’s decided to take the plunge and apply. She’s just realised one and a half hours before the deadline that she needs a reference letter which she doesn’t have! I’ve tried to contact her teacher by email and called the school but the school’s closed now and it’s doubtful her teacher will see the email in time. Or even have the time to do it anyway! Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Should she try applying without one or would that be futile?

Any thoughts or ideas would be welcome!

www.theuniguide.co.uk/advice/ucas-application/ucas-application-deadline-references-five-potential-problems-avoid-them

Scroll to question 4 op and fingers crossed for her

I’d say apply without. My uni would just email the applicant and say provide a reference, but I appreciate that’s before the deadline (you’d be amazed at how many apply with no reference and write that it’s been agreed they don’t need one, eh, no it hasn’t “. Not sure if it’s harder to add a reference after closing date but I think there’s flexibility in the system.

I'm going through this, trying to apply as a mature student and don't have a reference. I'd ring up the unis and ask as you need to tick the box that says they gave permission. The uni never got back to me, but im hoping to apply next year and sort it all out earlier!

This is all really helpful thank you! She has her boss hurriedly writing one for her as we speak. It’s going to be down to the wire though 🤞🏻 If it doesn’t work out in time then I guess she will have to apply without and hope the uni contacts her for a retrospective one.

Thank you all for bringing my heat rate down a touch. Just a touch mind 🤣 Let’s see what happens by 6 o’clock.

Good luck with your application Dk1b

I would try applying without one and contact the uni to explain as well.

Also maybe use this as the opportunity to explain the importance of not leaving things til the last minute, in a more thoughtful way of wording it than that.

I don't think it's a proper deadline..if there are spaces on courses left you can still apply up to the end of the summer term, or at least June. So if the reference doesn't go through in time she can still put it in later, depending on course availability.
I know this because DS applied in June last year for a place in the September, which he got. He also got a place in halls, though not everyone would be that lucky.

of course it is a proper deadline! Your son got through on the second round, once 95% of places were settled - total pot luck

What's happening about her predicted grades of school aren't involved? Or does she have grades in hand?

You can still apply after the deadline, and even go through clearing. Today is the deadline for equal consideration.

If she's applying through her school, (did she put in a buzzword when she set her ucas account up to link her application to her school?) when she sends the application off it will send to the school, not directly to UCAS. The school will then add the reference, predicted grades etc and send it onto UCAS. So if she sends it tonight, it won't meet the UCAS deadline anyway. Most schools have an internal deadline (ours was Dec 16th) and if students meet that deadline the school will guarantee to meet the UCAS deadline for them.

Even if it means missing the deadline by a couple of days, I would strongly recommend applying through her school rather than as a private candidate. They'll double check the details, add a reference which contains info UCAS looks for, put in the predicted grades etc. it'll be a better application.

It’s in! Just in time and with a hastily written reference from her boss. Let’s hope it’s enough to get her where she wants to go.

She’s got her A level results so she’s applying with grades. She didn’t get what she needed for her first choice last year and it really knocked her confidence. I just hope that doesn’t happen again, but at least she’s in with a chance.

Thank you everyone for your input. My heart rate will take a while to come down!

thats great - well done her!