Hi everyone

I have just started my application for a PhD studentship and was wondering about the best time to contact potential references? The application is due in at the beginning of May with reference deadline one week after. Should I email them ASAP? And if they agree, when should they send them off?

Thank you

Hi. Yes you should contact them ASAP. They might take sometime to respond.

Yes, ask them now and let them know when the deadline for the references - then they'll ensure they get to them on time (and you can always send a polite reminder a week beforehand to be on the safe side). Good luck for your PhD application!