To Waive or Not to Waive Recommendation Access

Hey guys, pretty confused here. While filling out some applications, there's an option to 'waive my right to access this recommendation'. What exactly does this mean and what are the pros and cons if I do waive this right?

The waiver you're seeing is referring to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). FERPA gives students the right to access their records—including recommendation letters—once they enroll at a college or university. By waiving this right, you're choosing not to view those letters, even after you're admitted.

There are a few things to consider. If you waive your right, it could potentially lend more credibility to your recommendation letters. Admissions officers might perceive waived letters as more honest and candid because the writers were free to share their thoughts without fear of student backlash. On the other hand, if you retain your FERPA rights, your recommenders might be less open or less detailed in their comments, which could potentially weaken your application.

As a downside, if you waive the right, you won't know what's being said about you in the letter. However, you can mitigate this by asking recommenders who you trust and have a strong relationship with. You could also have a conversation with them about your strengths, goals, and the aspects you'd like them to emphasize in their letter.

Overall, it's generally recommended to waive this right as it may increase the authenticity of your letters in the eyes of college admissions officers. However, the decision should primarily depend on your level of trust in your letter writers.