Waiving Rights to See Reco's

Question

What is everyone doing when asked if they waive the right to see the recommendations? Are you waiving your right, or not? Does it matter to the school whether or not you do? If you don't waive your right does that mean they think you're worried about what the recommender will write?

kidderek · Answer

I waived my right.

Last year, someone mentioned putting in a 'dummy' school. You can open that recommendation and see what they actually wrote. 

Ethical? Probably not.

gmatclb · Answer

I didn't waive my rights.

There was a discussion here if you search for it. The theory is that the recommender will put a more honest response if they know the applicant won't be able to read it. At least that's what the adcomm thinks.


I don't really think it makes a difference. I think this issue is more between the recommender and the applicant.

gmatclb · Answer

I think you only have access if you get accepted.

kidderek · Answer

I think if you don't waive your rights, it sets an initial tone of mistrust. But then again, maybe if you don't waive your right, they will take more care to write a good recommendation. 

In the end, it's probably a wash.

aviroop · Answer

Doesnt matter - considering that a majority of recommenders specificaly ask for your feedback and help in writing recommendations (kryzak and his 44 page monstrosity), most folks know whats in their reco. 

I knew that in grad school, waiving your rights for a reco letter shows that you trusted the recommender in the first place and he/she knew about you in detail....so the school looks upon it as a positive thing if you waive ur right.

emoryhopeful · Answer

I love this forum. Thanks a lot for such quick feedback. I think I'm going to waive my right, as I already have pretty close communication with my recommenders and will have a pretty solid idea of where they're going with their thoughts.

lepium · Answer

No you don't. At least not at HBS.

L.

riverripper · Answer

Honestly I don't want to know what they are like in the end. It would piss me off way more if they werent very good and I didn't get in than getting dinged and thinking it was my fault. If I get in I wont care what they say since I will be in.

gmatclb · Answer

Well at least UCLA and UC berkeley don't let you see it if you get dinged.

rhyme · Answer

Similarly, the GSB won't let you see them either way I don't think. Also, 4000th post

aviroop · Answer

admit it. you just wrote this post to hit 4000.

Praetorian · Answer

Well deserved rhyme. Glad to see a lot of you guys from 06 coming back to help others this year.

rhyme · Answer

I admit it.

aviroop · Answer

hahaha. congrats dude keep up the awesome do-goodery. :wink:

kryzak · Answer

Thank you, digital pimp

I waived my rights because my recos all said they would show me and let me help them edit the essays. I personally think waiving your rights is the better step to take, otherwise why would they even ask the question? Congrats rhyme! I got a long ways to go to catch up!

emoryhopeful · Answer

4000 is pretty insane. I'm just trying to make it to 100. One step at a time grasshopper.

Waiving Rights to See Reco's

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