Okay, I feel like an idiot, but please indulge me even if this question is really as ridiculous as it's sounding to me.

I think this application is really weird. When asking my referees for references they asked me to give them the relevant info. The ADH website indicated that it needed to be on official letterhead, so I told them that. Normally the referee receives an email from the school itself, as per the regular online application system, and the referee sends the (confidential) reference letter back via email. But ADH did not appear to be using this system and I thought that references needed to be submitted in hardcopy format, so I asked my references to provide me with actual signed and sealed letters, which they graciously did.

Now I see that hardcopy applications no longer appear to be used. Where a postal address used to be given, now all applicants are instructed to send their applications via email if they download the application, or via the online application form. Except that this form does not ask for the email addresses of my referees, it requires that *I* scan and upload the letters.

Despite feeling extremely confident that they are positive, I am exceptionally uncomfortable with the idea of opening these letters. Does anyone have any advice on the matter? I HATE the idea of bothering my references to redo the letters that they already wrote on my behalf and that are in MY possession, and I also hate the idea of opening them myself because this feels like a violation to me.

So did you all see and upload your own reference letters, or am I missing something in the online procedure? I must be doing something wrong here.

Hi, and what did you do with your reference letters?
Does the ADH have its own reference form (like e.g. LSE) to fill in? there is no information available on the ADH homepage since the deadline for applications for 2011 was in February. I would like to apply for 2012 and would be very grateful for some information on the reference letters (my referee is retiring soon so I am forced to think about the letter now). Kind regards, O.

It's not the same system as it is with LSE - My referees never received an email from the school. I don't know how anyone else handled it, but I filled out the online application and submitted it, and then I sent hard copies of my letters via courier to the school. I wasn't accepted but I was waitlisted, so I know that at least the process was accepted. Good luck with your application!