<p>When I gave my teacher the recommendation form to fill out, I didn't waive my right to see it... And now I just realized that that might be bad?? Becuase I haven't even seen it anyway, but does this give the college the impression that i've "cheated" with my recs?...</p>
<p>I've heard (although this is totally unconfirmed by any reputable source, haha) that it's best to waive your rights, so you look like you're totally confident that you're going to get a good rec. Or whatever. It's not going to make or break your app. And if it does, then.. that sucks.</p>
<p>My friend waived her rights to see her recommendations from her guidance counselor thinking it would look best as well... confident in her application and acheivements etc. and wound up getting rejected (from Harvard and Yale, if I'm not mistaken) because her counselor simply sent a sheet of paper with the school's letterhead and his signature. Nothing else. So tread lightly, I guess.</p>
<p>I honestly don't think a little thing as that will affect your application. Besides, if a law allows you to keep your rights, then the same law should protect your from alleged repercussions of your decision. Besides, you get to see the recs AFTER they are sent to colleges.</p>
<p>-Edit- I didn't waive my right, mostly because- it's my right. I'm not saying I will definitely look at it. I'm just saying I'm keeping my options open.</p>
<p>Thanks for reminding me to look into how my school does the letters. I think a personalized one isn't too much to ask for.</p>
<p>AdmissionsDaniel
College Rep</p>
<p>Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Johns Hopkins University
Posts: 834</p>
<p>Let's settle this debate simply...</p>
<p>IT DOES NOT MATTER</p>
<p>The question about waiving your rights is on the Common App not the JHU App. The reason because we do not think it is a necessary question.</p>
<p>We assume that all counselor recs and teacher recs are written honestly, truthfully, and providing us all the information we need -- whether a student waives their right or does not waive their right. We really would hope that a counselor and teacher would still write the most honest rec. letter even when a student does not waive their right. No matter, we just don't look at that when reviewing applications.</p>
<p>Plus, if we ever need more information, we will pick up the phone and call your counselor or teachers. We will get the information we need.</p>
<p>Waive your right. It will make your teacher feel more comfortable expressing what they truly think. If you are concerned about what the teacher may say, you probably shouldn't be asking them.</p>
<p>I wasn't sure about whether or not to waive my right, so I asked my teachers doing my recommendations which they would prefer. Both said that it would be in my best interests to "waive" my right, especially since one said that he wouldn't have even considered writing me a recommendation unless he knew he could write a good one. I'm confident that they both wrote me good ones, and I'm okay with the fact that I won't see them. Even if I thought they were bad, I can't think of anyone else that could do a better job.</p>