dd1 has applied via UCAS for degree starting Autumn 2017. She's in her third year of sixth form after a pretty disastrous year 12 due a combination of wrong subject choice, mental health issues, a lack of effort on her part and long term teacher absence.
Anyway, she's got one C at A2 and is predicted BCC in 3 more A2s this summer. This is a grade lower than her first choice University whose typical offer is BBC. Today she has had an email from them asking for a second reference, preferably an academic one from school (although they did say one from work would be ok - she has a very part time job related to the degree choice).
I can understand why they'd want to be cautious baring in mind she's not predicted their normal offer grades. She does have many years of relevant experience for the vocational course she's applied for, but it's the sort of course you wouldn't apply for unless you have experience.
We're just a bit unsure as to what more a second academic reference from school can do? her tutor has already written the UCAS reference after all. Also never having heard of anyone needing a second reference what will it mean in terms of an offer? I guess only time will tell, but if anyone has any experience of this we'd love to hear it :)