Waiving My Rights?

What does it mean to 'waive my right' when asking for teacher recommendation letters? And should I do it?

Waiving your right when asking for teacher recommendation letters refers to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which gives students the right to access their educational records, including recommendation letters, after they enroll in a college. By waiving your right to view a recommendation letter, you're essentially telling the recommender and the college that you won't be checking the contents of the letter.

It is generally recommended that students waive their rights to view recommendation letters for a few reasons:

1. Confidentiality: Colleges typically prefer confidential recommendations, as they believe this allows the recommender to provide a candid and honest evaluation of the student without fears of potential repercussions from the student reading the letter.

2. Trust: Waiving your right demonstrates to the college admissions office that you trust your recommender to write a strong letter on your behalf. It shows that you have built meaningful relationships with the people you've asked to advocate for you.

3. Credibility: Confidential recommendation letters are generally perceived as more genuine and credible by admissions officers, making them more valuable in the overall evaluation of your application.

So, while you have the right to access your recommendation letters under FERPA, it is advisable to waive that right in order to strengthen your college application. Before selecting a recommender, make sure to choose someone who knows you well, can speak to your strengths, and is willing to write a supportive and impactful letter on your behalf.