<p>I'm filling out the first part of the application right now, and there's a section about waiving access to the reports made my alumni interviewers, teacher recs, counselors, etc. Should I waive access to them? I don't want to if I don't have to, cause I know I'll really want to read them once I get the chance, but is that one of those things where you should go ahead and waive the right to access because otherwise they won't be honest in their evaluations?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Exactly. You should waive your right to access those documents. I know it sucks, but if you don't waive your right to access, it implies that you have some reservations about what people might say about you. Also, people writing the letters who know you have not waived your access might not feel comfortable being completely candid in their evaluations of you, making their comments less credible. I know it's frustrating not knowing what they're saying--try not to think about it.</p>
<p>Thanks! That helps a lot.</p>
<p>Lol... I didn't waive my right to access the recs for all my apps. I don't think the colleges will reject you just because you don't waive your right. The teachers are going to be honest writing about you anyways. Generally, they write mostly good things because they are trying to help you to get to college, not the other way around. (Unless they have a grudge against you?? Well, then what's the point of going to a teacher like that for recs? You do ask for recs from teachers who like/know a lot about you after all.) Even if it's something on the downside, I don't see why the teachers would hide it on the recs if they know that you don't waive your right. It's not like they will write something SO bad about you that they'll make you hate them forever. Their job is to correct you if there's anything... so looking back on those recs might help you to change your faults. </p>
<p>Well, I'm just saying... These are only some personal opinions... (I know you are probably done with your recs and waived your right already.) =P</p>
<p>Um...I screwed up and waived my right to access. Can I change this before my interview?</p>
<p>Can anyone else shed some light on this? Should I or should I not waive access?</p>
<p>Definitely waive access. If admissions officers see you didn't they will wonder about the credibility and teachers really don't like writing recs if they know you will read them. It is a teacher's responsibility to tell you if they won't be writing a good rec, so you don't need to worry about getting an unexpected bad rec. Pretty much everyone waives, it's just kind of accepted practice in college admissions.</p>
<p>I meant to say, I screwed up and DID NOT waive my right. The language of this waiver stuff clearly leaves me somewhat disoriented. I think I should get some rest...</p>
<p>Nobody in the admissions office cares.</p>
<p>I would not worry about it. It's incidental.</p>