Waive rights

[tranzformer]

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I searched the forum for this but could not find anything. For secondary applications, is it standard practice to waive your rights to have access to your references?

 

[jbayne04]

hi- someone with some more experience should comment here if possible...but in my case, I am waiving my rights to them because:

a. perhaps it IS required...and if so, you don't want any holdup
b. it shows those reviewing your app that you had no knowledge of all the good things they are saying about you, which could be pretty meaningful. (it's kind of like having someone say great things about you while you're in the room...isn't it more meaningful when they write about you in a private letter?)

 

[DoctorMom78]

I waived my rights, but I don't know if it makes any difference. I agree that it is more meaningful to do so.

 

[OceanPotion]

its not a requirement...just a preference of schools...since 'waiving your rights' usually leads to a more honest letter

 

[Eurocopter]

I have to agree. I think by waiving the rights you are saying "I trust that this person knows me well enough to write a good letter" I also agree that it will lead to a more honest letter. All the doc's that wrote mine for me insisted on giving me a copy. I just hope whats on the copies is really what they wrote😀

 

[Hardbody]

I searched the forum for this but could not find anything. For secondary applications, is it standard practice to waive your rights to have access to your references?

If you don't waive your rights it doesn't look good. Schools want an unbiased letter, and not waiving your rights destoys credibility (in the letter). Yes, it is standard practice, I waived my right on all of my letters.

 

[jkhamlin]

If you don't waive your rights it doesn't look good. Schools want an unbiased letter, and not waiving your rights destoys credibility (in the letter). Yes, it is standard practice, I waived my right on all of my letters.

On mine, I made it clear to the people writing my letters that I would have no problem signing the waiver if they wanted me to. So far, no one has asked me to, and the med schools don't seem to care.

 

[harrypotter]

I have to agree. I think by waiving the rights you are saying "I trust that this person knows me well enough to write a good letter" I also agree that it will lead to a more honest letter. All the doc's that wrote mine for me insisted on giving me a copy. I just hope whats on the copies is really what they wrote😀

So euro, you signed the waiver but still read the letter? My DO sent a copy of his letter to check it out. I wrote back and said since I signed a waiver I can't ethically go over it. But I'm curious to see what he said... temptation! 🙂

 

[dr.z]

I searched the forum for this but could not find anything. For secondary applications, is it standard practice to waive your rights to have access to your references?

It's better to waive your rights.

 

[HemaOncoDoc]

I searched the forum for this but could not find anything. For secondary applications, is it standard practice to waive your rights to have access to your references?

You should have confidence that your LORs will reflect your strengths and illustrate your candidacy. Adcoms want to know that the LORs are unbiased and that they can rely on them for valuable information that can not be discovered during an interview. As one of the adcoms has mentioned, the interviewers only get 30-60 minutes to get to know you while your LOR writers should have known for countless more.

So, it's best and customary to waive your rights.

This is quite a process, best of luck! 🙂

 

[Eurocopter]

So euro, you signed the waiver but still read the letter? My DO sent a copy of his letter to check it out. I wrote back and said since I signed a waiver I can't ethically go over it. But I'm curious to see what he said... temptation! 🙂

Ya, the docs that I had write letters for me all insisted that they give me copies. They are all friends of mine that I work with in the ER so I guess they just wanted me to see what they were saying about me. As for the ethics...there is nothing unethical about reading the letter if they give it to you. The waiver you sign just lets the writer know that the medical school will not release it to you. Since technically any file that is kept on you is your property (much like a medical record). You have to waive your legal rights to review it. That way it gives the writer the chance to tell what a real douce bag I really am with out have to say it to my face. Or worry about me reading it. I just think that by signing the waiver it shows you have confidence in your letter writers. If you are not 100000% sure that the person you pick will make you sound like a saint, you better pick someone else to write. It would be a real shame to have the 4.0 and 40 MCAT and get rejected because you got a bad letter.

 

[group_theory]

An old joke but i think somewhat relevant to this discussion


LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

Bob Smith, my assistant programmer, can always be found

hard at work in his cubicle. Bob works independently, without

wasting company time talking to colleagues. Bob never

thinks twice about assisting fellow employees, and he always

finishes given assignments on time. Often Bob takes extended

measures to complete his work, sometimes skipping coffee

breaks. Bob is a dedicated individual who has absolutely no

vanity in spite of his high accomplishments and profound

knowledge in his field. I firmly believe that Bob can be

classed as a high-caliber employee, the type which cannot be

dispensed with. Consequently, I duly recommend that Bob be

promoted to executive management, and a proposal will be

sent away as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

Project Leader

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The following Memo was soon sent following "The Letter"

That stupid dolt was reading over my shoulder when I wrote the report sent to you earlier today. Kindly read every second line (i.e.. 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, ..) for my true assessment of him.

Regards,

Project Leader

 

[jkhamlin]

Ya, the docs that I had write letters for me all insisted that they give me copies. They are all friends of mine that I work with in the ER so I guess they just wanted me to see what they were saying about me. As for the ethics...there is nothing unethical about reading the letter if they give it to you. The waiver you sign just lets the writer know that the medical school will not release it to you. Since technically any file that is kept on you is your property (much like a medical record). You have to waive your legal rights to review it. That way it gives the writer the chance to tell what a real douce bag I really am with out have to say it to my face. Or worry about me reading it. I just think that by signing the waiver it shows you have confidence in your letter writers. If you are not 100000% sure that the person you pick will make you sound like a saint, you better pick someone else to write. It would be a real shame to have the 4.0 and 40 MCAT and get rejected because you got a bad letter.

Which ER do you work in? Just curious, because my sister works in the Freeman ER.