<p>When a rec letter has a place where the student can either waive the right to read the letter or not, is it to the student's detriment if they don't waive the right? My son's applying to a school that has that at the top of the rec letter, and I'm wondering whether or not it matters. He said that his teachers told his class that that they usually give the student a copy of their rec letters anyway. Is that how it usually happens in "real life"? </p>
<p>Since I only have one child, I'm new to all of this, and really appreciate the help of the CC community. I promise I'll return the favor, once I've been through the process and have some knowledge to share! Thanks!</p>
<p>I had my kid waive their right to read rec letters. While I’ve heard that there can be problems if the box isn’t checked, I don’t have any specific knowledge that not waiving your rights has a negative impact on admissions. It’s just my general view that when you ask for a LOR, it’s up to the writer if they want to give you a copy or not. </p>
<p>In reality, many teachers either show the LOR to the student for comments or corrections before they send, or they give them a copy for their records after the fact. Waiving doesn’t mean that the student can’t see the LOR if it’s given to them, only that they can’t demand to read it.</p>
<p>I’ve heard that it’s becoming more common for recommenders, especially teachers, to tell the student to write the letter with everything he or she wants in it—then the teacher will take it and revise it as they want it. One of my teachers pretty much did that, and the letter was almost exactly what I had hoped for…plus it made her job easier.</p>
<p>Thanks entomom. That’s kind of what I figured, but it’s good to have it verified by someone who’s been through the process. Wow, Tiger - good for you, I guess, but frankly, those teachers sound pretty lazy. But, alas, this seems to be the general direction that everything is going. Who knows what’s for real any more? Ok, enough soap box…</p>
<p>Ahhhh so I am flipping out. I didn’t waive my right to see the supplemental letter from a writing teacher since I’m applying to a writing program. I wanted to have access to the recommendation so that I wouldn’t need to re-ask her for the purposes of internships/grad school admissions in the future. But after reading about how checking “no” makes the letter less legitimate, I am really, really worried. I’m sure it’s an incredible letter (the woman is a professional author, come on) and I don’t want any of the things she says to be overshadowed by a check mark… Will this actually make a difference?</p>
<p>I certainly don’t know as much as most of the people on this board, but I seriously doubt that it will really make much of a difference. I’m sure that many people do the same thing. It seems to me that they’re going to look at you as a “whole package”, and the whole issue of waiving/not waiving that right is not going to be the deciding factor. There are legitimate arguments for each, anyway. And, if that was the only criteria they used to make their decision, you probably don’t want to go there anyway! I really wouldn’t lose any sleep over it. My two cents worth…</p>