I'm getting very frustrated now with getting all my academic references.

There is a person I need a ref from who just ignores me. I missed a funding deadline for a PhD I really wanted and had a good shot at because this person never completed a reference despite my having applied to the PhD months in advance, well in time and my sending the ref request many times over a period of months and a telephone conversation with them about it. Luckily the Uni in question is still interested in me and although I missed the first funding deadline because of this lack of reference, they have now released some new funding and I'm tryng again.

I'm also applying to my current uni where this person works and have a supervisor agreed and passed interview but they can't make a formal offer without this reference, yet again this person is ignoring requests and I've no idea why. I've spent 6 months chasing them.

I've had good attendance and completed my MA with a high distinction in all aspects, including dissertation and even won a small research grant in the process. I do have quite an unusual surname and there is a member of staff in this persons department who is more senior than this professor with my surname. We are not related but I'm wondering if said ref thinks we are or am I just being paranoid? Is it usual to have such trouble? It's worryimg me that despite my grades and interest from supervisors I'll not get a phd as my applications time out because of no second reference:-(

Any advice very very welcome

Hi wowzers,

I have been in similar situations a few times. I hate to depend on people in this way. Sometimes they are just lazy or unorganised. Sometimes you can ask a personal assistant to take care of the organisation of the reference, if the professor has one. Once I really needed a reference and I called the potential referee. This gives an immediate response. The second step was to contact another potential referee. I mentioned the problem with the professor I had asked and suddenly I found his reference in my mailbox.

Good luck with your applications :)

Thanks for the reply. Ah, so it can be expected then :-( I've tried the contacting directly, they agreed to do a reference and then never actually did it. I'm a bit stuck as I was out of education for a while until doing my MA, which was part time whilst working so this person and my other tutor are the only academic refs I can get. I've sent another request.