murkyama

It has always been my impression that you DO waive your right to access/see the letters. I think by you should have the utmost confidence with what your recommenders will have to say about you; that's why you asked them to write on your behalf, right? If you really want to know what your recommenders are writing about you, just ask.

You may want to check out Martha Kolln's Rhetorical Grammar and Donald Murray's The Craft of Revision.