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Whats the consensus on waiving rights to view letters of rec

Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 11:15 pm
by Hoping4Happiness
Is it best to just waive your rights? l wasn't planning on doing so, but on the page it says

"Important Note: We strongly encourage you to respond "yes" and waive your right to view letters of recommendation at the law schools. Recommenders may be more candid, and consequently, the law schools may look more favorably upon your application"

Does it really make a difference in your opinion?

Re: Whats the consensus on waiving rights to view letters of rec

Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 11:20 pm
by Bildungsroman
Waive it. It's so common and expected that not waiving it will likely put up a big red flag.

Re: Whats the consensus on waiving rights to view letters of rec

Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 11:28 pm
by Hoping4Happiness
ok, l waived it.. thanks! I didn't know it was so comment to waive.

Re: Whats the consensus on waiving rights to view letters of rec

Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 6:30 pm
by malleus discentium
Bildungsroman wrote:Waive it. It's so common and expected that not waiving it will likely put up a big red flag.
This may not be true. Karen, at least, has said she didn't care or even check. She's just one person, but it suggests that it's not as cut and dried as you say.
In any case, though, you should def waive it. And do remember what you're waiving: your right under FERPA to demand that the law school where you matriculate show you the letter. You're not saying you never saw the letter.

Re: Whats the consensus on waiving rights to view letters of rec

Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 6:39 pm
by Bildungsroman
malleus discentium wrote:
Bildungsroman wrote:Waive it. It's so common and expected that not waiving it will likely put up a big red flag.
This may not be true. Karen, at least, has said she didn't care or even check. She's just one person, but it suggests that it's not as cut and dried as you say.
In any case, though, you should def waive it. And do remember what you're waiving: your right under FERPA to demand that the law school where you matriculate show you the letter. You're not saying you never saw the letter.
I don't know who Karen is.

Re: Whats the consensus on waiving rights to view letters of rec

Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 7:20 pm
by 20141023
.

Re: Whats the consensus on waiving rights to view letters of rec

Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 9:51 pm
by Nonconsecutive
Even if (hypothetically) the schools don't care or check to see if you waived your right, can't the LOR writer see that when you send them the request? I think this could be a point of contention for some personalities that is best avoided even if the law school doesn't care.

Re: Whats the consensus on waiving rights to view letters of rec

Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 10:12 pm
by A. Nony Mouse
Yes, anecdotally, there are some profs who won't write a letter if you don't waive your right to see it. My understanding is that waiving is the default, so even if it's not going to raise red flags not to, the vast majority of people do waive. (And as malleus said, it doesn't mean you never get to see the letter, you just give up your right to demand to see it. If a prof gives you a copy you're free to look at it.)