To waive or not?

[diber]

I'm wondering what other people are doing about this. Do you waive your write to see the recommendation or not? I have been waiving because 1) I'm confident in my recommenders and 2) I wondered if it helped or not (I seem to remember being counseled to waive when applying for undergrad).

But I'm curious. What did they say about me!?

Edited December 3, 2010 by diber

[history_PhD]

One of my professors said that professors often refuse to write letters if the applicant doesn't waive the right to review. I think I would continue to waive.

[eklavya]

if you believe that your professor knows you well enough to write you strong letters vouching for your candidacy, why not waive the right? if you don't waive the rights, first off, your profs might think that you don't trust them and that you don't respect/value the relationship you two have built over the course of few months/years. the writer would feel more comfortable on elaborating your strengths by knowing that you won't be reading the letters.

moreover, if the adcomms finds out that you did not waive the rights, they might assign less weight on the LoRs. because they might get the idea that you had/have something to conceal, and therefore inspected the letters before deciding to send out to the schools.

i waived my rights when i asked for letters.

[ydg23]

I waived my rights, but I know my professors very well.

[Paradeplatz]

I'm pretty sure, no one cares unless:

Right is not waived and one or multiple letter writers are subequently replaced.

[Eigen]

I've never heard of anyone not waiving their right.

I would be quite suspicious of the veracity of any letters written for a student who hadn't waived their right to read.

[diber]

Yea, I've been waiving. Guess that seems pretty standard.

[Scat Detector]

I've been told by many Graduate admissions looks more highly at those who waive their "right" to view. That doesn't mean you aren't allowed to view the letter of rec. I had a professor ask me to draft one so he knoew what details I considered important to be mentioned. Some was removed, but most remained and was changed to his own words.

Waiving is best it shows the confidence you have in your recommender to give a good LOR

[modernity]

Waive your right.

While some schools may not care, the vast majority do - and it is customary to waive your right. As mentioned some professors will not write letters if you don't, and adcomms may not take you as seriously if you don't (because they worry professors might not have been as honest as they could have been without worrying if you would see it.)

If you really need to see your letter - ask the professor who is writing it for you for a copy.

[katerific]

I'm REALLY curious about what professors might think about me, so I was really tempted to not waive my right. I wanted my writers to be very honest, however, and I thought that not waiving my right might interfere with that. It ties in with the whole trust issue and such. Just echoing what everyone else said! But I am still really, really curious about what they said, too... argh! (I'm confident that two of my letters will be good, and I really trust them, but the third--hmmm....)

Edited December 6, 2010 by katerific

[Bukharan]

It is a respect issue.

If there is a chance that by not trusting enough, you may offend your referee (a person who can make THE difference for you in the admissions process), why would you not waive?

[murkyama]

I'm REALLY curious about what professors might think about me, so I was really tempted to not waive my right. I wanted my writers to be very honest, however, and I thought that not waiving my right might interfere with that. It ties in with the whole trust issue and such. Just echoing what everyone else said! But I am still really, really curious about what they said, too... argh! (I'm confident that two of my letters will be good, and I really trust them, but the third--hmmm....)

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.