What's a FERPA waiver and should I sign it?

I noticed that there's a FERPA waiver option when applying to college. What exactly is this, and should I sign it? What are the pros and cons of doing so? Appreciate any advice on this!

The FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) waiver is an option you encounter when applying to colleges through the Common Application or other application platforms. FERPA is a federal law that protects the privacy of your educational records, specifically access to your records and the ability to control who else has access to them.

When you sign the FERPA waiver, you're giving up your right to view certain parts of your college application, such as recommendation letters and any admissions notes, once you're enrolled in a college. The waiver is voluntary, but it's generally recommended that students sign it.

Pros of signing the FERPA waiver:

1. Confidentiality: By signing the waiver, you're assuring your recommenders that their letters will remain confidential, allowing them to provide a more candid assessment of you. This is important because admissions officers tend to give more weight to letters they believe are honest and uninhibited.

2. Trustworthiness: Signing the waiver demonstrates to colleges that you have faith in your recommenders and yourself. It shows that you aren't trying to control every aspect of your application and are willing to allow others to speak on your behalf.

Cons of not signing the FERPA waiver:

1. Limited insights: If you choose not to sign the waiver, your recommenders might hesitate to provide a fully candid evaluation, which could result in more generic recommendation letters. This might make it more difficult for admissions officers to get a complete understanding of your strengths and weaknesses.

2. Possible perception issues: Some colleges may interpret your refusal to sign the waiver as a lack of trust in your recommenders or an inability to receive and accept constructive feedback, both of which could be seen as negative traits.

In conclusion, it's generally recommended to sign the FERPA waiver as the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. By signing, you're giving your recommenders the assurance of confidentiality and showing the colleges that you are a trustworthy and confident applicant. Keep in mind that you can always discuss the content of your recommendation letters with your recommenders beforehand if you have any concerns or if you would like them to highlight specific points.