<p>What do colleges think if you signed that you've seen your teacher recs vs. if you signed that you haven't seen them? Do they care about that at all, or do they just want the recs?</p>
<p><em>bump</em>
I'd really like some sort of answer to this.</p>
<p>Wait, do you have to sign if you've seen your recs b/c then I've definitely broken some rules. Though I don't think schools would care very much if you've seen them b/c it's not like you can alter them in anyway, so...</p>
<p>me.duh, do you mean the part where you waive your rights?</p>
<p>Yes, I do mean the part where I waive my rights.</p>
<p>Sorry for not being clear on that.</p>
<p>Well I hope not for my sake</p>
<p>What you sign is a waiver of your right to get a copy of the recommendations from the college. Colleges do this because they want honest assessments, not stuff written by folks that might be concerned about the fallout if something negative (or insufficiently positive) is said. I've heard that, without the waiver, colleges won't give as much credibility to what is said. I can't remember where I heard that, though!</p>
<p>
[quote]
Though I don't think schools would care very much if you've seen them b/c it's not like you can alter them in anyway, so...
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</p>
<p>Actually, on CC I've heard of some incredible instances of kids (and their parents) writing the rec's, rewriting them, comparing them to other rec's from the same teacher and then demanding changes, complaining to the principal or head master (and reminding same how much money they've given the school, where applicable), and on and on. There is a reason that colleges want the rec's sent directly from the teachers or given to the students in sealed envelopes with the teachers' signatures across the flap ...</p>
<p>But again, you don't sign to say you've never seen them. You sign to say that you waive your right to get a copy from the college.</p>
<p>You can always work on and discuss a rec with a teacher before the final copy is sent directly to the college. Thats what we do here</p>
<p>A rec is supposed to be an honest and CONFIDENTIAL representation of what a teacher thinks of you, not something that you and the teacher "work on" together. That seems beyond fishy to me.</p>
<p>yeah, it really does. I mean I just look at them, but it's not like i'm marking top in my career X's and telling them what to say, b/c it's not supposed to be a collaborative effort.</p>
<p>I wasn't criticizing you, Tonyt. If the teacher offers you a look, I don't think there is anything unethical about taking a peek. But "working on" the rec with the teacher is a big no-no.</p>
<p>No I know you weren't criticizing me. I was merely agreeing with you about those students who work with their teachers to write a better recommendation than they deserve.</p>
<p>My teacher gave me a copy of the rec he sent - that's legit. What's p*not* legit is peeking if the teacher gives you a sealed envelope.</p>
<p>Thanks for the help guys. =)</p>