Flashes of Panic

I’m sending batches of letter-of-recommendation forms out, recruiting writers and juggling who would be best for which school. (I’m trying to make sure the alumni of particular universities write letters to those universities, for example.) So I’m trying to patch together quick but lucid cover letters explaining how many copies of which need to go in what sealed envelope and sent where by when, address and stamp all the relevant envelopes, and so on.

One of the curious little rituals is signing the waiver: I waive my right to read this letter. I always waive. I figure, if I get in, it won’t matter to me what was in the letters; they did their job. If I don’t get in anywhere, I might contact the recommenders and ask if their letter might have been involved, and if so, what I need to work on, but since I got in to my undergrad college on early decision, I have yet to be turned down by an academic institution. (That’s going to change, I suspect; but where?)

I wonder if it makes a difference; if the admissions committees take a letter less seriously if the applicant doesn’t waive. Or if there’s an alternate scenario where they prefer the applicant not to waive.

One of my writers has already returned envelopes to me, and included a copy of the letter. “I know you signed the waiver, but I want you to see it anyway.” It was good. I hope they’re all like that.