Masters application references!

[BigfanofCheese]

I know IABU as nobody will know the answer for sure but I am asking as I have seen posts from a lot of academics and university staff on here and am on pins waiting for a decision on my masters application!

I have applied to 2 very similar masters courses at 2 different departments of the university of london (uni A and uni B).

Each requested two references, one of which was provided to promptly to both. I have had some trouble with the second. The original referee (who has previously provided good references for me) has said she was happy to provide one but she can often take a long time to get things done. After 2 months and her acknowledging occasional friendly reminders but not delivering the reference, I have now asked someone else.

Anyway, Uni A have made me an offer today with just the one reference. I am delighted about this but Uni B would be my first choice for several reasons.

My place at Uni A will be kept open for 2 weeks and Uni B are still awaiting my second reference which I am told they definitely need.

AIBU to think that if one dept could make an offer with just one reference, the other would have the same discretion? So, are they therefore probably going to refuse but are waiting to receive all the required paperwork so the application has been considered fairly and in full?

I would say I meet the requirements for both equally but Uni B are probably a bit more selective as they have a slightly more prestigious reputation in the field.

Argh! Fully aware I am likely overthinking this!

You refer to them as different departments but also say uni A and uni B. The different universities that make up UoL are separate institutions. I'm guessing from the rest of your post that you're talking about different institutions. That means they have their own admissions processes. So:

AIBU to think that if one dept could make an offer with just one reference, the other would have the same discretion?

Not necessarily.

are they therefore probably going to refuse but are waiting to receive all the required paperwork so the application has been considered fairly and in full?

Possibly, but again not necessarily. It could be the case that they have to pass clearance checks for both refs.

Is there a deadline by which your refs are required?

You could give them a call and be honest. Say that your second reference is taking a while (they'll be used to disorganised academics ). Explain that it's your first choice but that you hold an offer for another institution which you have to commit to by x date - that you're really wanting to know whether it's worth holding out and wondered whether they can tell you whether you're accepted in principal (ie pending satisfactory refs). Say that you understand that nothing is certain until an offer has been made. At best they'll err on the noncommittal side and they may prefer not to say anything at all, but it's possible that if you're honest you'll get a hint in the right direction.

Hi Feline thanks for your extremely helpful reply. Yes, that's right, i meant different institutions, not departments, and just used Uni A and Uni B for brevity, sorry about that!

Well, the application deadline is in late August so that's when I would receive a decision based on what I have submitted so far if the second reference was not forthcoming (presumably a 'no' if they strictly need 2 refs). In terms of hearing back in time to meet Uni A's acceptance deadline, I would need the reference submitted within a week as Uni B have said they will take 5 working days to notify me once received.

I have spoken to Uni B several times but not since my acceptance at Uni A so that is great advice and I will try today ASAP. Hopefully they might be able to give me a clue!

I would chase up your 2nd reference very hard and explain the situation to them in quite firm terms. It’s very unprofessional to commit to have done a student’s reference by a certain date and then just not do it. I’m an academic and I try to be quite conscious of these things, but I do know colleagues who are not so organised.

I would also go back to uni A and explain that you need a bit more time to decide and ask if they can be flexible in your response to the offer. I’d also maintain regular contact with uni B and apologise for the slow response and let they know what you are doing to get it in. I wouldn’t ask if they can decide with only one reference. If they want to do that, they will. But I wouldn’t assume they’d be happy to.

I wouldn’t ask if they can decide with only one reference. If they want to do that, they will. But I wouldn’t assume they’d be happy to

But asking isn't assuming they'd be happy to. It's asking.

Just to add, I would also be quite honest with uni B and let them know that they are your preferred programme even though you have received another offer. Most unis are quite keen to win out in the offer race and that will perk their ears up a bit and perhaps make them a bit more willing to be flexible if it comes to it.

For clarity, I don't think you should ask them if they can decide with one reference. Even if they could, it's presumptuous and doesn't go in the spirit of parity between applicants.

What you're trying to get at is whether it's worth holding out for uni B ie assuming your ref comes through on time and is good enough, will they be making you an offer? I'd be surprised if they give you an outright 'yes' but they might be able to hint. Moreover, if it's a 'no' they could say something like "If I were you, I'd accept the other place." At least that way you've got an indication.

Thanks all for your replies. Sorry, I ended up working late yesterday without my phone.

MindUtopia you're right, I would never agree to writing a work reference and just sit on it for 2 months.

The original referee has form for leaving things though until or beyond the last minute so I should've really asked elsewhere first. No 2 referee has really acted fast and written a fantastic work and character reference (this is acceptable as I left uni a few years ago now), but isn't allowed to use headed paper or her work email as requested due to company policy (different part of the same larger organisation). She didn't realise this as is in quite a new job.

So Uni B now has 2 references but one is not quite in the right format. I will ask today if they can accept No 2 but in the meantime have gone back to Ref No 1 who will 'try to get it done before the weekend'. All along I've given her the option of 'if this is not possible, please let me know and I will ask someone else' and she has insisted she is happy to do it. Argh.

Anyway.

Thanks Feline. Absolutely understood regarding not pushing for being considered on the back of one reference if this is not the process at Uni B.

I did speak to them yesterday and was told that my application will be sent to the next and final stage of being checked by a course leader so it is in progress and the reference will be directed straight to them.

Your tip about mentioning the pressure to make a decision at Uni A although B are my clear first choice seems to have had some effect! Unfortunately they didn't give me much of a hint about the outcome but are trying to work around the 2 reference rule by keeping the application moving.

Sorry, last para I think it was MindUtopia 's tip but either way, I really appreciate everyone's advice