Sweetchic just scared me stiff on demeaning reference!I recently applied for a PhD. I just learned that the uni communicated with my referees and they have been reluctant/busy to write back. A couple of questions:
-That the uni wrote to my referees, is it an indicator they'd be interested in me?
-That my referees aren't writing back, what should I do; write to the uni & give alternative referees? ask the referees to write?
-If my referees don't like me are they likely to write me a bad recommendation or they'll just not write?

It does show the uni is interested so well done! Try mentioning to your referees that you need the reference, they might just have forgotten. Or ask the uni what they want done about it. Nowadays, people don't like to write bad references, if they think badly of you they tend to say 'no' when you ask them to be a referee.

hi. normally universities in the UK don't follow up referees & ur lucky they followed up yours. some referees have a lot on their mind to remember that there is a reference pending. if your referees are in kenya, let them know that you will be collecting your references on a particular date & go there personally to pick them up- otherwise they will never post them. otherwise keep reminding them, if you don't nag them, someone else will. just do it with respect. you can always change your referees. i've done it a few times.

Personally, I *always* follow-up references (i'm UK based). No selfrespecting referee will give a bad reference, they will simply decline to offer you one. The easiest way to get your ref's sorted is to send your referees a quick email and just mention that you think such-and-such university (the one you know has already contacted them) will be in touch soon. That's the easiest (polite) way to get them to respond.

same happened to me a while go.ring your uni.tell; them the closing date is approaching,meanwhile give the name of another supervisor