@rebeccasunshine Thank you! I was unaware of that, will certainly check for other schools that waive fees for early applicants. Even more incentive to get my ducks in a row sooner rather than later!
I've received four emails from schools already, and every one of them has volunteered an application fee waiver. I think a lot of whether or not they're willing to waive the fee has to do with your competitiveness as an applicant.
... ; 1) When academic letters of recommendation are preferred, is there any ... _don't_ submit an employer recommendation, after having been in the ...
It doesn't hurt to send some "feeler emails" to prospective profs. If they say that they are not able to write you a _strong_ recommendation, then go with the pro letters.