The Student Room Group

UCAS reference nightmare

Hi! I am a gap year student and I want to go to university this year after taking a break but I left it too late I completely forgot I had to have a reference , my UCAS application is 91% done I’ve completed everything but the only thing missing is the reference I’ve emailed so many people from my school I’ve emailed my former head of year and head of sixth form but they are not replying should I email the head teacher or just wait a bit

Reply 1

Original post
by Buzzinglion
Hi! I am a gap year student and I want to go to university this year after taking a break but I left it too late I completely forgot I had to have a reference , my UCAS application is 91% done I’ve completed everything but the only thing missing is the reference I’ve emailed so many people from my school I’ve emailed my former head of year and head of sixth form but they are not replying should I email the head teacher or just wait a bit

You've only got a few days left before the equal consideration deadline, so try every avenue.
(edited 2 months ago)

Reply 2

Original post
by ageshallnot
You've only got a few days left before the equal consideration deadline, so try every avenue.


Ok I will email all the teachers I know I am very desperate i see no other alternative
Have you tried calling? Schools have only just reopened and some have closed a few extra days because of the weather.

Really all you need are the details of someone who is happy to provide the reference they put together when you were completing your AL's (or equivalent).

Reply 4

Original post
by Admit-One
Have you tried calling? Schools have only just reopened and some have closed a few extra days because of the weather.
Really all you need are the details of someone who is happy to provide the reference they put together when you were completing your AL's (or equivalent).


No I haven’t called yet do you think the main office can help. I do have the details of the teachers but what if the email goes to their junk mail so I thought I had to ask for permission first

Reply 5

Ring school as they will have an admin team or person sorting out this years applications. I had to ring ours a few times due to mistakes, they should help or advise you. Ring through school main number. Good luck.

Reply 6

Original post
by EDP8
Ring school as they will have an admin team or person sorting out this years applications. I had to ring ours a few times due to mistakes, they should help or advise you. Ring through school main number. Good luck.


Thank you I’ll wait until Thursday if no reply then I’ll do that
Original post
by Buzzinglion
Thank you I’ll wait until Thursday if no reply then I’ll do that


If you wait until Thursday that'll only leave 3 working days. I would just call them tomorrow.

Reply 8

Original post
by Admit-One
If you wait until Thursday that'll only leave 3 working days. I would just call them tomorrow.


Ok I’ll do that thank you 🙏
Original post
by Buzzinglion
No I haven’t called yet do you think the main office can help. I do have the details of the teachers but what if the email goes to their junk mail so I thought I had to ask for permission first

It's best to ask permission, because otherwise a teacher would be quite confused by a reference request appearing from UCAS without any context from you.

Reply 10

This has been sorted thank you guys! This serves as a lesson to not leave things till last minute :smile:

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