I applied for a M.Res that required two written, sealed references to be supplied with the application. It took me ages to be able to muster up my referee's to supply these written referecnes - they are quite used to being cited as a reference however. Now I am considering applying elsewhere, due to my lack of success with my first application, but between I don't think I can really push these people again for references. I am considering just putting their names as citations on the application form and just risk a straight up refusal! Bloody hassle! :(

Now that they have written one reference for you they'll be able to use the same one again, so it should be no problem putting them down.

Haley, don't worry. Like the FindAPhD Team says, most good referees will write it and then keep it and just print off another. In fact I think most referees would be surprised if they only had to write up one copy. I applied 6 places and one of my referees was really lazy about getting my references. But with a bit of gentle prodding it can turn out okay. But YOU have to make the effort, nobody else is going to do it for you i'm afraid.

It should be normal for any supervisor to be expected to send of references to several places for you. Its a hassle, but you are certanly not asking for too much. How about asking the secratary of your refree for help??? Very often the secretary keeps order in the written references and reads the e-mails of their boss and then just get the singature of their boss/ your refree.