Waiving my right of access to recommendation letters?

So, when I'm asking for recommendation letters, there's usually an option to 'waive my right of access'. Can anyone explain to me what this means? Should I tick this off or not? Does it make any difference in how my application is viewed?

When you waive your right of access to a recommendation letter, you're essentially stating that you will not view the letter in the future. This right is protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Most students are advised to waive their rights for a few reasons.

Firstly, it reassures the person writing your recommendation that they can express their candid opinion, which creates a more authentic recommendation. Secondly, colleges tend to trust the credibility of a letter more when they know a student hasn't seen it.

Ultimately, whether you should waive your right to access the letters depends upon your relationship with your recommenders. If you trust them to write strong, positive recommendations, it is commonly suggested to go ahead and waive your right. However, if you're unsure, you could discuss the substance of the letter with your recommender before making this decision. Always remember to respect the preference of your recommender as well, some might be more comfortable knowing their feedback will be confidential.