reference when you want to transfer unis

xhelen1989x

hey, id like to transfer uni's and when i rang up the uni id like to transfer to (but ill have to start my first year again cos its a slightly diff course) they said to do it through ucas
i was going to go to my old school and get one (the school i left this year) probably from my form tutor..is this the best thing to do? also, what do i do about predicted grades as i already have my a levels and if they give me an offer itll be to get a certain pass rate in my first year so what should i put down in the predcited grades bit?
none of my tutors at my current uni know me well ive hardly spoke to any :\ so they cant really say anything

hmmm x

Reply 1

*pitseleh*

You could go back to your old school, and get them to explain in your reference that the reason they're writing it is because you've not been at uni long at the time of applying, and that the uni suggested your form tutor may be better qualified to write a reference.

With regards to the predicted grades bit: don't write anything. It's the same for mature applicants: if you already *have* your A-level grades, there's nothing for you to write in the "predicted grades" sections.

Reply 2

recneps

Chances are the uni will make you an unconditional offer based on the A levels that you already achieved, rather than making an offer based on your first year at your current uni

Reply 3

Juno

They might want a reference from your current uni to see that you can cope with the course

Reply 4

xhelen1989x

recneps

Chances are the uni will make you an unconditional offer based on the A levels that you already achieved, rather than making an offer based on your first year at your current uni

they wont do that as i put them as my firm last year and i didnt quite get the grades, they said that i could apply this year and if they decide to give me an offer itll be to get a certain pass in my first year

Reply 5

xhelen1989x

Juno

They might want a reference from your current uni to see that you can cope with the course

we havent done any work yet though, only had a couple of lectures with about 300 other people
they dont know anything about my ability lol

Reply 6

maucej

They might make it a condition of their offer, so that you have until August to get a reference. Then they should have got to know you a bit.

Is it worth just giving them a call and seeing if they have a policy on this sort of thing?

Reply 7

s.a.u

Hi, I am in a similar situation. I have been told that I'd get a conditional offer based on my first year results (60%). I am also thinking of getting a reference from school, because to be honest the lecturers/class teachers here don't actually know me.

Reply 8

PS Reviewer

Original post by xhelen1989x

we havent done any work yet though, only had a couple of lectures with about 300 other people
they dont know anything about my ability lol

Then hang on until December/January to put your application through. Talk to your tutor ASAP to ask if they'll be your referee.

Also for the education section you should list your first year modules as pending - that way they'll be able to see what topics you're currently studying even if you don't have any predictions to put in.

Depending on where you're applying they may well be willing to accept your application AFTER the 15 Jan deadline - transfers are quite often preferred if they come through late in the cycle with more detail from the university that you're leaving and reasonable predictions/1st year marks from 1st semester exams if you have them.

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If you apply now with a reference from your 6th form then you're basically showing the university that you're applying to that you're not likely to stick with any course and that you'd prefer to leave without contacting the staff at the university you're attending. Admissions staff don't appreciate students leaving them like that so they're less likely to look kindly at applicants behaving like that at another university.

This is especially true if you're planning on completing the first year without any intention of continuing - from an admissions staff point of view someone who went to a uni, hated it and left and moved back home to get a job is a more attractive candidate than a student who is completing a year with no intention to continue and without notifying their tutor.