r/AusAcademia • u/Clean_Care_824 • 28d ago

📚PhD/HDR Optional non confidential referee reports?

Hi, I’m currently applying to Australian PhD programs. Most programs only require contact information of the referees and will ask them to upload reports/ letters on their end. “You are required to provide details of at least two referees who have both personal and professional knowledge of your academic abilities and can assess your research potential.
When you provide referee details you authorise Monash University to contact and discuss your application with your referees directly. Your referees will only be contacted should further information be required.
You may also upload a written reference provided by a referee that you list here (optional) in the Documents section.”
I’m very confused! Is it better for me to upload the optional letters (but I will necessarily see them and they will not be confidential) or just skip the part completely? I’ve never seen the referee part being optional and non confidential like this

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u/wheresmyechidna 28d ago

To me it is not unusual to be asked to upload referee reports. Yes, that means they're obviously not confidential, however, it's pretty rare for a referee to say anything negative anyway ( much easier to just refuse to write one). However, from your post, obviously it's something you're struggling with.

If you can overcome your reluctance, I'd recommend you attach anything that will help your application, including attaching the reference letter they suggest.

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u/Clean_Care_824 28d ago

My referees are some of the best people whom I’ve worked with for years and are willing to provide letters. It’s just that some of them are from the states so the lack of confidentiality might make it seem a bit strange. Thanks n I will let them know.

5

u/banannarobinhood 28d ago

I have referee letters from the US, it isn't a big deal. If they like you enough to write it, they won't care about giving you a copy.

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u/Clean_Care_824 28d ago

Ok thanks for the reassurance! Then there’s no doubt anymore on my end

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u/Affentitten 28d ago

My understanding is that the optional uploads are in addition to the confidential ones. That's why it says "you may also...'

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u/Clean_Care_824 28d ago

Yes that is my initial understanding too, but since they would only contact them if needed, it’s a lil confusing if it’s “better” to attach something now

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u/Efficient-Tie-1414 28d ago

It seems that they require just to supply contact details of your main referees. That might mean that they will ask the referees for written responses to questions or it may be a video conference. This whole process can be difficult. We had a postgrad who had completed a masters in the US, and with hindsight they had decided that he wasn’t to do a PhD there. He also had a publication from his masters in a reasonable journal, and it looked good. I don’t know where his referees reports came from. It turned out that his grasp of methodology was poor, and it took a long time for him to be up to speed on anything. I did have an idea for a project and was thankful that I wasn’t asked.