References

[diehrdgiantsfan]

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So I know there is a choice to waive your right to read the references, but what exactly is the difference? Do programs frown upon the references that were not waived? How many of you have waived your right (and vice versa)?

 

[NeophyteParkour]

I would assume the majority waive their rights. The only reason to see it would be if you were worried or not they were going to write a good reference. I'm not on an admissions committee so I'm not going to pretend I know for certain, but I would assume it is frowned upon. Also, they may ask you about it in an interview.

I waived mine. A couple of my references showed me what they wrote anyway (afterwards, in person).

 

[EmmaLee]

I would waive the right for all of them. From what I hear it is frowned upon to not do this. Otherwise they will assume that you have picked the best 4 out of the bunch. If you don't know what they wrote, then the University you are applying to will get a better opinion of who you are, not who you want them to see.

Does that make sense? My mother is part of a committee for choosing students in a speech therapy masters program and she explained this to me.

 

[Azimuthal]

IMHO, there shouldn't be any reason not to waive your right to see a reference letter, other than being insecure about your OWN references. This shows that you chose someone who you may think does not know you well enough to even be a reference. You may lose some weight on any positive attributes the writer says about you.