Having some confusion over here. When I'm asked if I waive my right of access to recommendations, what does that mean? And should I waive it or not?
When a college asks if you're waiving your right of access to your recommendations, it's referring to your rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Waiving this right means you're giving up your ability to view your recommendation letters at any point in the future.
There isn't a one-size-fits-all answer to whether you should waive this right or not, as it largely depends on your personal preferences and circumstances. However, I can provide you with a few arguments for both sides:
If you choose to waive your right, it tends to present a stronger image of trust between you and your recommender. Colleges can generally assume that the recommender spoke completely honestly without the concern of possibly upsetting you, potentially giving this kind of recommendation more weight.
On the other hand, not waiving your rights gives you a chance to review your recommendation letters and ensure they best represent you before they get sent to colleges. However, this could slightly lessen the impact of the letter, as there could be a perception that the recommender might have tempered their honest opinion because you might read it.
In general, many applicants opt to waive their rights because they trust their recommenders to present them in the best light. The choice, however, is entirely up to you.
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