Originally Posted by Sliceback

Since they're not looked at until the final step at AA the value is suspect.

First you have to get selected by the computer. Accepted for, and pass , the online interview. Pass the F2F interview. Then the entire package gets reviewed by the final selection team. That's when the LOR's are reviewed.

There's a suspicion that there some 'top down' selections are being made. All indications are that it's MUCH smaller than it was in the past.