> Really? I've always had them handed to me. If a professor refuses to hand you the sealed envelope, maybe that's the red flag right there. Sending it directly

> Really? I've always had them handed to me. If a professor refuses to hand you the sealed envelope, maybe that's the red flag right there. Sending it directly is the norm in my experience, and it's directly intended to avoid the "hack" you suggested. > Even so: There's probably a way to game that system, too. (Handing them pre-addressed envelopes, and one of the addresses is a PO Box you own?) ...although you have to be careful, because at some point it presumably becomes mail fraud. That would work for finding out after the fact who has written you a poor recommendation, but that's not particularly useful, since by the poor recommendations arrive at your PO Box and the other receivers at the same time.