Should I waive my FERPA rights on my application?

Hi everyone, I'm starting my college applications and I keep seeing this FERPA waiver thing. I've read about it, but I'm still unsure. Should I waive my FERPA rights when applying? What are the pros and cons? Any advice would be helpful.

It's indeed a common question among many applicants and it's good that you're curious about understanding it better. On the Common Application and other college applications, you'll come across a section on FERPA, or the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. This is a law that protects the privacy of student education records.

In the context of college applications, waiving your FERPA rights means that you will not have the right to view your recommendation letters or any comments from admissions officers about your application. You're essentially agreeing not to view these particular parts of your application once submitted.

Most advisors will recommend you waive your rights. Why? Waiving your rights allows colleges to trust that your recommendations are honest and candid. Admissions officers generally want to read letters that have been written without any influence from the applicant and waiving your FERPA rights shows them that your recommenders could express their thoughts openly.

Conversely, if you decide not to waive your rights, it could raise questions about the authenticity or honesty of your recommendations, although it's unlikely to be a deciding factor in your application.

Just remember, before you waive these rights, ensure you're choosing recommenders who know you well and will most likely write positive letters on your behalf. It's always best to cultivate relationships with recommenders, so they're able to truthfully write about your strengths and potential.

In the end, it's a personal decision, but hopefully, these insights will help you make an informed choice.