[allyjack110]

Hi guys,

I am new to the forum so this is my first post. What is the correct procedure for obtaining a reference for entry into medical school? I understand that all applications have to be made via UCAS and part of that application includes a personal statement and reference. However, I am unsure about how to go about the reference part. I am already a university graduate but have been out of education since graduating (MA History 2:1) in 2008. I'm looking to apply possible entry for 2013 which means it will have been 5 years since I was at university. I am currently working part time and am looking for suitable voluntary experience in a 'care' setting though. Would a reference from my employer suffice?

[Ra.One]

Have you emailed the unviersities you're thinking of applying to and asked?

[allyjack110]

(Original post by Ra.One)
Have you emailed the unviersities you're thinking of applying to and asked?

Thank for your reply. I have identified the universities that I am hoping to apply to (Dundee, Keele, and Warwick) and have spoken to their admissions team regarding my eligibility. However, I never asked about their 'reference' requirements. It might be an idea to contact them again. Say for example I identify a suitable referee. How does my referee go about writing a reference? Does that person write a reference beforehand and I send it along with my UCAS form or do I merely provide UCAS with the person contact details?

[Ra.One]

I think you give access to the person doing the reference (by entering their emails and UCAS notifies them). They can then enter the personal statement into the specific section.

[Soph.Jade]

You give the reference's contact details to ucas, they will email the person with a seperate password and login. The person then has 30 minutes to complete the reference so it's worth warning them to write it beforehand and paste it as they can't log on more than once and as my reference put it "it was like a countdown clock". Hope this helps (I'm tired and probably not making much sense haha)

[Ra.One]

(Original post by Soph.Jade)
You give the reference's contact details to ucas, they will email the person with a seperate password and login. The person then has 30 minutes to complete the reference so it's worth warning them to write it beforehand and paste it as they can't log on more than once and as my reference put it "it was like a countdown clock". Hope this helps (I'm tired and probably not making much sense haha)

Sounds bad. lol

[Soph.Jade]

Wasn't "bad", he hadn't really prepared though so gave me the most rushed reference ever. He said the instructions on the email were simple to follow (though he does work with computers every day) so my best advice as someone who's done it is just to tell the person to prepare the statement beforehand and make sure they're not completely computer illiterate.

good luck!!!

[Ra.One]

(Original post by Soph.Jade)
Wasn't "bad", he hadn't really prepared though so gave me the most rushed reference ever. He said the instructions on the email were simple to follow (though he does work with computers every day) so my best advice as someone who's done it is just to tell the person to prepare the statement beforehand and make sure they're not completely computer illiterate.

good luck!!!

What would have happened if he hadn't have prepared it in 30 minutes?

[allyjack110]

(Original post by Soph.Jade)
You give the reference's contact details to ucas, they will email the person with a seperate password and login. The person then has 30 minutes to complete the reference so it's worth warning them to write it beforehand and paste it as they can't log on more than once and as my reference put it "it was like a countdown clock". Hope this helps (I'm tired and probably not making much sense haha)

I have just visited UCAS online and viewed several of their tutorial videos on YouTube. It sounds pretty straight forward actually; thanks for clarifying that up for me. Another question though, as with my own PS however, is there strict criteria for my referee to follow ie word count etc? For example, say I apply for 3-4 universities does that mean that my referee can use the exact same reference for all 4 choices?

I wonder just how vital the a person's reference will be? From my reading already the emphasis seems be on the following three areas: Ukcat score, PS and voluntary experience.

[Soph.Jade]

If he hadn't done it in 30 mins it would have had to be sent incomplete (as far as I can tell, didn't happen to me so not 100% sure) and the person will write one reference which will be sent to all of your choices (much like your statement).

It varies between uni's and courses how important the reference is, it's always better to have an amazing reference in csae you're on the boderline of grades/experience etc.

No idea about the word count I'm afraid. I think mine was really long though (sorry I can't be more helpful)

[allyjack110]

(Original post by Soph.Jade)
If he hadn't done it in 30 mins it would have had to be sent incomplete (as far as I can tell, didn't happen to me so not 100% sure) and the person will write one reference which will be sent to all of your choices (much like your statement).

It varies between uni's and courses how important the reference is, it's always better to have an amazing reference in csae you're on the boderline of grades/experience etc.

No idea about the word count I'm afraid. I think mine was really long though (sorry I can't be more helpful)

I've just spoken to the medical admissions team at Kings College London and they said a professional reference ie from an employer would be acceptable for those who have been out of education for a while. I graduated in 2008 so its unlikely that any of my former university lecturers would remember me.

[allyjack110]

(Original post by allyjack110)
Hi guys,

I am new to the forum so this is my first post. What is the correct procedure for obtaining a reference for entry into medical school? I understand that all applications have to be made via UCAS and part of that application includes a personal statement and reference. However, I am unsure about how to go about the reference part. I am already a university graduate but have been out of education since graduating (MA History 2:1) in 2008. I'm looking to apply possible entry for 2013 which means it will have been 5 years since I was at university. I am currently working part time and am looking for suitable voluntary experience in a 'care' setting though. Would a reference from my employer suffice?

Some good news. I managed to contact one of my old lecturers (PhD) from university. I was slightly wary at first because I wasn't sure if she would remember me or not. Anyway I got a very nice email back saying she remembered me very well and would be happy to write me an academic reference. However, she did request some further information regarding the process before writing it. My question is: what format should the reference take? For example, the PS has strict and certain guidelines ie structure and character count etc. Likewise, are there similar guidelines for the referee to follow when writing the reference or is it merely at their own discretion? I'm really happy to have her as my referee because she is very highly respected in her field. I know she will do her best for me. Thanks in advance.

[Beska]

(Original post by allyjack110)
Some good news. I managed to contact one of my old lecturers (PhD) from university. I was slightly wary at first because I wasn't sure if she would remember me or not. Anyway I got a very nice email back saying she remembered me very well and would be happy to write me an academic reference. However, she did request some further information regarding the process before writing it. My question is: what format should the reference take? For example, the PS has strict and certain guidelines ie structure and character count etc. Likewise, are there similar guidelines for the referee to follow when writing the reference or is it merely at their own discretion? I'm really happy to have her as my referee because she is very highly respected in her field. I know she will do her best for me. Thanks in advance.

There's some info from UCAS that might be useful here. The reference has the same character/lines limit as the PS.

[anoldbaby]

(Original post by allyjack110)
Some good news. I managed to contact one of my old lecturers (PhD) from university. I was slightly wary at first because I wasn't sure if she would remember me or not. Anyway I got a very nice email back saying she remembered me very well and would be happy to write me an academic reference. However, she did request some further information regarding the process before writing it. My question is: what format should the reference take? For example, the PS has strict and certain guidelines ie structure and character count etc. Likewise, are there similar guidelines for the referee to follow when writing the reference or is it merely at their own discretion? I'm really happy to have her as my referee because she is very highly respected in her field. I know she will do her best for me. Thanks in advance.

it may be helpful for you to do some research on what to put on the reference and forward that to your referee as a good reference for medicine is very different to a normal good reference

[adsyrah]

(Original post by allyjack110)
Thank for your reply. I have identified the universities that I am hoping to apply to (Dundee, Keele, and Warwick) and have spoken to their admissions team regarding my eligibility. However, I never asked about their 'reference' requirements. It might be an idea to contact them again. Say for example I identify a suitable referee. How does my referee go about writing a reference? Does that person write a reference beforehand and I send it along with my UCAS form or do I merely provide UCAS with the person contact details?

Just to double check - are you aware that Keele are no longer offering their 4 year grad course? 2012 is the last intake year for it.

[allyjack110]

(Original post by anoldbaby)
it may be helpful for you to do some research on what to put on the reference and forward that to your referee as a good reference for medicine is very different to a normal good reference

I appreciate that a medical reference is different from a 'normal' university reference. That's what I am trying to do, establish what is necessary for a medical reference. I have been trying very hard to locate the relevant information but have been unable to do so (that's why I started the thread).