<p>What are the advantages and disadvantages of waiving right of access to letters of recommendation? Does waiving mean I will never get to see what the teacher is writing about me? </p>
<p>Yes, it does mean that, but it is standard to waive your right of access. If you don’t, the admissions people won’t trust the letter as much, because they’ll know that the person who wrote it knew that you might be reading it, and therefore the letter might not be as candid. If you don’t trust the teacher to write a positive letter, then don’t ask that teacher.</p>
<p>Also you can ask not just, “Will you write me a letter of recommendation?” but “Would you be able to write me a strong letter of recommendation?” and then if they don’t feel they can write a good letter they can just advise you to ask someone else who knows you better.</p>
<p>There are some schools that will refuse to accept letters of rec if you don’t waive your rights to read the recs, at least that’s what my guidance counselor told me last year. definitely waive the rights, there’s really isn’t any reason not to.</p>