Send the wrong recommendation letter?

Applying to College
1

<p>Ok. I have an extra rec. letter from a well-known professor I worked with for a while. This letter is a generic letter (I asked for 5 they're all the same, 'cept they are adressed to the different schools) which addresses school A, while I decided not to apply to school A, instead to school X.</p>

<p>I really want school X to receive this letter though because he showed it to me afterwards and it was absolutely amazing. But that was before I realized that school X would be a much better FIT for me than the former (albeit its lower ‘ranking’). I think I have more chances of getting in this school and I just -really- love it.</p>

<p>At the same time, I have no way to access the prof. because he is very busy and I want to send the letter with another supp. ASAP. I am wondeirng if it would be a bad decision on my part to mail this letter in. </p>

<p>This isn't really an ethical dilemma, I don't think. But I am just afraid that school X will be like, look this kid (which is a retard to have made such a stupid mistake) applying to school A which is "better" than us so we're like their safety... pfft. rejected.</p>

<p>ps. If it was just the adress on the envelope I'd readress it. But the letter mentions the name of the school several times and I can't open it and white them out. :P</p>

2

<p>Nuboday? :(</p>

3

<p>i think you should try to modify the rec letter. change the name of the college</p>

4

<p>Can't it's sealed. :/</p>

5

<p>It's tacky to send a rec letter for a different school, but if you do, then simply attach a VERY BRIEF note stating that the rec letter was written for another college application and you decided to share it with this application. </p>

<p>DON'T SAY ANYTHING ELSE !!!
Let the content and quality of the rec letter speak for you.</p>

<p>If the letter is really as good as you claim it to be, the adcom may be flattered that you chose to attach it to their school's application.</p>

6

<p>So won't they wonder why I decided not to apply to school A?</p>

7

<p>Adcoms know that applicants change their mind. You shouldn't offer a long, drawn out explanation in advance. Handle it in a personal essay if you absolutely feel the need to or during an interview after the application is submitted.</p>

8

<p>Alright thank you.</p>

<p>So do I write somehting along the lines of</p>

<p>Dear Admission Office at U of X,</p>

<p>The following letter of recommendation was originally written for another college, however, I've decided to include it with my U of X application [instead? / because?].</p>

<p>Thank you,</p>

<p>"Yoda the Galaxic Warrior"</p>

9

<p>there is no need at all for an "instead" and a "because" is strictly your option, but really is unnecessary.</p>

10

<h2>So this is good? attached with a pin to the envelope. Thanks Silicon! :)</h2>

<p>Dear Admission Office at X University,</p>

<p>The following letter of recommendation was originally written for another college, however, I've decided to include it with my X University Application.</p>

<p>Thank you,</p>

<p>Paraiso L.</p>

11

<p>I dunno. If you're really concerned they might think they're just your safety, you might want to specify you're no longer applying to school A.</p>

12

<p>I think that that note looks fine. You could take elphaba88's advice, but I don't think it will kill you either way. You certainly wouldn't be the first to make a mistake like this.</p>

13

<p>What if school A was MIT or Yale, and school X... Cornell?</p>

14

<p>Hmm? HMMMM?</p>

15

<p>What if school A was MIT or Yale, and school X... Cornell?</p>

<p>Thanks :)</p>