My newb question for the month of December...

[cdmOMR]

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Whats the advantage/purpose of waiving your right to see your Letters of Rec.


...aaaannnnddd go!

 

[utahdent123]

Whats the advantage/purpose of waiving your right to see your Letters of Rec.


...aaaannnnddd go!

Most authorities advise students to waive their rights because the recipients will then know that the information in the letters is more candid. Information contained in letters where the student does not waive the right of access may be discounted by the schools who receive it.

 

[Streetwolf]

Most authorities advise students to waive their rights because the recipients will then know that the information in the letters is more candid. Information contained in letters where the student does not waive the right of access may be discounted by the schools who receive it.

Yah pretty much. If you don't sign the waiver then whoever writes the letter knows you may one day see it. He or she may then be more inclined to write more positive (or less negative rather!) things about you. The schools want to see signed waivers because they know that whatever is in the letter is accurate.

 

[Old School]

Yah pretty much. If you don't sign the waiver then whoever writes the letter knows you may one day see it. He or she may then be more inclined to write more positive (or less negative rather!) things about you. The schools want to see signed waivers because they know that whatever is in the letter is accurate.

A couple of years ago a student at a local university signed a letter of rec waiver, then a professor wrote exactly what was true, that the guy should not be trusted around 16 year old girls. (he was applying to be a teacher and was an absolute menace to women of any age!). He went to the school, found someone in the office and started dating her. She spilled the beans about what was in the letter. He confronted the professor, who asked how he found out. Lead to a nice lawsuit against the other school for letting the letter become public.

He ended up getting a job somewhere anyway. He lasted 3 months until "an incident".

 

[ibwhoa]

I had a pre-med lecture once from a lady who used to be on medical school admission committees, and she said never once was a student accepted who didnt waive his/her right to see recs. Now thats just one school, during the time she was on the board, and a medical school, but do you want to take the chance that that one school is your first choice school. Waive it and make sure the teacher writing your rec likes you.