Waiving right of access (LOR)

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So I work as a tech for a retail pharmacy chain which is not the best of employers. I have a very rude and condecending PIC. I am not sure how the PIC would rate me on a LOR. I am afraid of what might be said on there. Having said that i want to see what is written about me so I don't want to waive the right of access. I also know that being a PIC there LOR would be highly weighted. My question is 3
1. How bad does it look if I don't waive it? And does it hurt my chances at getting accepted?
2. What would you do in my situation, skip the PIC's LOR or still get it, and waive or not waive?
3. I have a distant family member who is a pharmacist, I have never worked with him but he is kind of my mentor, can I or should I get an LOR from him?
Thanks

Good question, was wondering this myself. I'm not sure there is going to be a very cut-n-dry answer as I've never really heard of anyone doing it. If you don't trust the person writing you a LoR then my guess is that it speaks a lot to the ad coms and you should probably find someone else. Personally, I would skip the PIC and maybe try shadowing another pharmacist part-time for a month or two. I know people that have done this and it has worked well for them, especially when they have found a good individual. Maybe even bring up your trepidation to your PIC? As for #3, you aren't supposed to get LORs from anyone who is your "friend" or related to you in anyway. Basically anyone who associates with you outside of a professional basis shouldn't be used as a LOR. Now does it happen? My guess is probably. That is going to be something you have to decided if you want to do or not. It's kind of like cheating on your taxes.. most people will get away with it most of the time.
 
After they submit the LOR, you can't take it off of there even if you have access to see it..so if you don't think the recommendation would be good then skip it. For the distant family pharmacist..if they have a different last name than you and if you can do some shadowing with them (so that they can attest to your professionalism) then it is fine.
 
So I work as a tech for a retail pharmacy chain which is not the best of employers. I have a very rude and condecending PIC. I am not sure how the PIC would rate me on a LOR. I am afraid of what might be said on there. Having said that i want to see what is written about me so I don't want to waive the right of access. I also know that being a PIC there LOR would be highly weighted. My question is 3
1. How bad does it look if I don't waive it? And does it hurt my chances at getting accepted?
2. What would you do in my situation, skip the PIC's LOR or still get it, and waive or not waive?
3. I have a distant family member who is a pharmacist, I have never worked with him but he is kind of my mentor, can I or should I get an LOR from him?
Thanks

Eh, I would simply talk to PIC about it and ask if they would be willing to recommend you for pharmacy school and how important it is for you and if you could count on a solid recommendation.
 
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