Letters of Recommendation Waiver

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implications of waiving the right to view letters of recommendation for college applications. Participants explore the potential effects on admissions decisions and the honesty of recommendations.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether not waiving the right to see recommendations could negatively impact their application, citing a friend's belief that it may suggest a lack of honesty from teachers.
  • Another participant argues that not waiving the right could lead admissions officers to doubt the authenticity of a positive recommendation, as it may be influenced by the writer's awareness of the applicant's ability to read it later.
  • A later post seeks empirical evidence regarding the actual impact of not waiving the right, expressing a desire to see the recommendations if it does not significantly harm their chances.
  • Standard advice is mentioned, suggesting that waiving the right is generally preferred and that confidential recommendations may carry more weight in the admissions process.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether waiving the right to see recommendations is beneficial or detrimental, with no consensus reached on the actual impact of this decision.

Contextual Notes

Some participants acknowledge theoretical concerns about the implications of waiving the right, but there is a lack of concrete evidence or examples to support these claims.

Doctor Elect
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Just a quick question. I'm passing out college recommendations right now and it asked me whether or not I want to waive my right to see the recommendations. My friends swears that not waiving your right can actually hurt you because they will think the teachers aren't being honest. Is this true.
 
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I would think the opposite, if you don't waive your right to see them, then when the admissions looks at them, they don't know if the glowing rec is because you really deserve it, or because the person who wrote it knew you could read it later so they didn't say anything bad.
 
jbusc said:
I would think the opposite, if you don't waive your right to see them, then when the admissions looks at them, they don't know if the glowing rec is because you really deserve it, or because the person who wrote it knew you could read it later so they didn't say anything bad.

oops, I forgot to put "not" in the paragraph
 
I know all the theoretical ways in which it could hurt but does anyone know if it actually does. Because I want to see my recommendations if it doesn't seriously hurt me.
 
Standard advice is to waive your right. Confidential rec is weighted more heavily.
 

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