Hi,

I am applying for PhDs and separate funding competitions and I'm concerned that I'm asking for so many references from the same three academics. These academics are all my previous lecturers and one was my dissertation supervisor, I respect them hugely and they've all agreed to referee me and I have two PhD offers which i am thrilled about but I am very concerned I'm bombarding already very busy academics with yet more work. Has anyone been in a similar position? Any idea as to how to minimize being a pain in the bum re references?

Hi there,

Though in theory asking for references from former lecturers and supervisors is part and parcel of the field, it can feel like getting blood from a stone sometimes! Presumably you've given sincere thanks to people who've given you references already? How many have you asked for and how many more do you need?

I have been in a similar situation, and I was incredibly apologetic, acknowledged how much time it took, and how grateful I was etc. Some people will be happy to keep paying it forward, but one of my references eventually replied with a terse "No, I'm too busy, I've done enough". I thought this was unreasonable but there was nothing I could do except say "thanks anyway". I panicked because I thought I had left it too late to ask someone else. However, I immediately emailed another person in my department (who I felt was a nice person) and she happily agreed to provide a reference. I hadn't asked her in the first place because she didn't know my work that well but as long as you think they'll say something nice, I think that's the main thing! I ended up getting my offer so I guess she did write something nice.

Remember to say thank you when you hear back from where you've applied (obvious I know but easy to forget), and even send a nice card or something if you're closer with certain referees (like a former supervisor). Good luck!

Oh also, sorry if this is obvious again, but remember to ask well in advance of the deadline (around one month) and make it really clear where they should send the reference and in what format (if applicable). They shouldn't have to look up any details themselves...i.e. kinda spoon feeding them. In the interests of staying on their good side :)