Should You Waive Your Right to See College Recommendation Letters?
By Admissions Narrative · · MIT Alumni Admissions Interviewer
Key Takeaways
You have a FERPA right to see your letters — but you can waive it
Most admissions counselors strongly recommend waiving — letters carry more weight when students can't read them
Admissions officers give significantly more credibility to letters from students who waived
Not waiving subtly signals you don't fully trust your recommenders
Once waived, you cannot un-waive for that application cycle
Most admissions professionals strongly recommend waiving your right to see recommendation letters. Letters carry more credibility with admissions officers when writers know the student cannot read them — it signals honest, unfiltered assessment rather than curated praise. Not waiving subtly suggests you don't fully trust your recommenders, which raises questions experienced readers notice.
When setting up recommendation letter requests through Common App, you're asked whether to waive your FERPA right to view them. This decision matters more than most students realize.
What the FERPA Waiver Is
Under FERPA, you have the right to view educational records — including recommendation letters — once enrolled. When you waive this right, you agree not to view the letters at any point. When you don't waive, the recommender knows you may eventually read what they wrote.
Why Waiving Is Recommended
Admissions officers give substantially more credibility to letters where the student waived access. A recommender who knows the student might read their letter has incentive to soften criticism. A recommender who knows the student cannot see it can write a fully honest assessment — exactly what admissions officers want. Non-waived letters are viewed with appropriate skepticism as potentially curated.
The Trust Signal
Not waiving sends an implicit signal: 'I'm not fully confident in what my recommenders will say.' If you don't trust your recommenders enough to waive, that's a signal to reconsider who you're asking — not a reason to skip the waiver.
Want a Personalized Assessment?
Answer 10 quick questions and get a custom admissions report based on your student's grade, GPA, and goals — free, in 60 seconds.
What if I don't waive and my recommendation letter turns out negative?
If you don't waive, you can technically request to see letters after enrollment — but this doesn't help during the admissions process. The better protection is choosing recommenders who will write enthusiastically and asking explicitly for a 'strong' letter before requesting it.