--- title: Should I Waive My Right to Read My Letters of Recommendation? description: In college applications, you'll be asked whether you want to waive your right to review or examine your letters of recommendation. What does this mean, and should you do it? Find out why you should waive your FERPA rights. image: https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/feature_ferpa.jpg --- **[![PrepScholar](https://www.prepscholar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PrepScholar-Logo-Colored.png)](https://www.prepscholar.com/)** CALL NOW: [+1 (866) 811-5546](tel:18668115546) [![Start Free Trial](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/360031/interactive-171805697634.png)](https://cta-service-cms2.hubspot.com/web-interactives/public/v1/track/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLKJluK2NyG3jpAJh%2F2lClc1fhnVHyMZoQonqRxtJngB8FMX6lc78F84JqOaVAL0d36TA5%2FYuH%2FLCJw8AG3ewREi%2F7a3XDouZgjxWfYCBUge6z76KnSykOxONl3avMK0gUjJGpJdyJE2BDTx8g3bsgHwMtx4Kr9Jfh6Jr7WA2XEIgtLw1OoVvAMo4Kw%3D&webInteractiveContentId=171805697634&portalId=360031) ## Choose Your Test SAT Prep ACT Prep [PrepScholar Advice Blog](https://blog.prepscholar.com/) ☰ - Search Blogs By Category - [SAT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/sat) - [ACT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/act) - [College Admissions](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-admissions) - [AP and IB Exams](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/advanced-placement-ap) - [PSAT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/psat-info-and-strategies) - [TOEFL](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/toefl) - [GPA and Coursework](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/coursework-gpa) # [Should I Waive My Right to Review Recommendation Letters?](https://blog.prepscholar.com/should-you-waive-right-to-review-letters-of-recommendation) ![author image](http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/360031/file-2392391352-png/author_rebecca.png) Posted by [Rebecca Safier](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/rebecca-safier) | Updated on August 14, 2024 [Letters of Recommendation](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/letters-of-recommendation)   ![feature_ferpa](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/feature_ferpa.jpg?width=236&name=feature_ferpa.jpg) Short answer: yes. Long answer: there's no need to worry about checking "yes" and waiving your right to see your letters of recommendation on the FERPA waiver section of your college applications. This article will explain exactly what FERPA is, why you're being asked to waive it, and how it impacts your letters of recommendations. To be honest, the FERPA waiver will probably be the easiest part of filling out your college applications!   ## What is FERPA? The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), otherwise known as the Buckley Amendment, was passed to **protect the privacy of students' educational records.** It gives parents and students who are 18 years and older the right to access their records. It also requires that parents or eligible students give permission before their information is released to a third party, except in special circumstances like transferring schools or a health emergency. Since most **students who enroll in college are 18 or older**, FERPA gives them the right to request access to their letters of recommendation, wherever they might be stored along with the rest of their application materials. I like to picture all the applications of years past stored somewhere like the Hall of Prophecies in Harry Potter, except the endless shelves are filled with files instead of shiny glass orbs. There's one caveat to your FERPA-given right of access: **you can only access your recommendation letters after you've gotten your admission letter of acceptance and chosen to enroll in a college.** If you were rejected from or chose not to go to a certain school, then you won't be able to get your hands on those letters. Note how I said that FERPA gives you the right to access your letters of recommendation *after* you enroll at a college. It really doesn't have anything to do with getting to read your letters before your recommenders send them. **Some recommenders will let you see them**, while others will keep them confidential. The general assumption around reference letters is that they are confidential—this seems **more honest** in the eyes of admissions officers. Whether or not you see the letters before they're sent is not really what FERPA's about, when you get down to the specifics of it. On the Common Application (or whatever application you're using), you'll be asked whether or not you want to waive your right to access your rec letters. Read on for a preview of what you'll see.   ![body_harrypotter](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/body_harrypotter.jpg?width=362&name=body_harrypotter.jpg) *Harry Potter and the Chamber of College Applications*   ## Waiver of Access (FERPA) on the Common Application Once you add a college to your Common Application, you'll see a tab show up to invite your recommender(s). **Before you send those invites**, you'll be prompted to read about your waiver of access and select a response. This is what you'll see:   "**Waiver of Access (FERPA)** *Under the terms of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), you can review letters of recommendation and accompanying forms after you enroll at a postsecondary institution and only if that institution saves the documents post-enrollment.* *Why should you consider waiving your right of access? Waiving your right lets colleges know that you will never try to read your recommendations. That in turn reassures colleges that your recommenders have provided support that is candid and truthful. While you are free to respond as you wish, if you choose not to waive your right, some recommenders may decline your request, and some colleges may disregard letters submitted on your behalf. Remember, even if you retain your right of access, you still won't be able to view any recommendations until after you have been admitted to and enrolled in a college. In other words, FERPA does not give you the right to inspect recommendations before they are sent to your colleges.* *After you make your selection, you will be able to invite your counselor and recommenders. Once you make the first invitation, you will not be able to change your response to the waiver question. To ensure that you fully understand the implications of your selection, we urge you not to answer the waiver question until you have consulted with your guidance counselor or another school official.* *For more information on FERPA follow this link:* [http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html](http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html)" *Source: The Common Application*   Sounds like serious stuff. In reality, it's pretty straightforward. **FERPA lets you request access to your recommendation letters after getting in and enrolling in a school.** By that point, months after you've applied, done the requisite period of nervous waiting, received the thick envelope and decided on a school, you **probably aren't thinking about cracking into your admissions file** to read exactly what Mr. Smith said about you back in December of senior year. You got in, so the rec letters had to have been pretty complimentary. Again, note that FERPA does not give you the right to see your letters of recommendations before they are sent. In the academic world, recommendation letters tend to be kept confidential. Your teacher or counselor **may show you the letter and ask for your feedback or revisions**, but this depends on the person. Even if you're burning with curiosity, you shouldn't pressure your recommenders to show you the letter. It could indicate that you don't trust them to provide you with a strong letter—and, if that's the case, you shouldn't choose them in the first place! Since you can only respond to the waiver question on the Common App once, let's go over exactly why it's a good idea to waive access.   ![body_wavegoodbye](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/body_wavegoodbye.jpg?width=367&name=body_wavegoodbye.jpg) *"Waive" goodbye to FERPA—you don't need it this time.*   ## Why It's a Good Idea to Waive Your FERPA Right As I mentioned above, the typical expectation for letters of recommendation in college admissions is that they are kept **confidential**. Admissions officers give most weight to letters that provide an honest and qualified assessment of the applicant. If you don't waive your FERPA right, you could accidentally signal to admissions officers that you don't trust your recommender or that the recommendation is less candid or genuine. Your recommender might also get the subtle message that you don't trust him or her. The knowledge that you'll see the letter at some point in the future might cause your recommender to write a more **generic letter,** and thus be less powerful and effective in support of your candidacy. You won't be penalized for your response, but it's risky to check "no" since **you don't know how admissions officers or your recommenders will interpret it.** If you still feel uneasy about waiving your FERPA right, keep reading. In the next section, I'll explain why there's no need to worry about your recommendation letters, even if you never get the chance to read them.   ![body_circleoftrust](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/body_circleoftrust.jpg?width=283&name=body_circleoftrust.jpg) *Keep your recommenders inside the circle of trust.*   ## No Need to Worry About Recommendation Letters... Perhaps easier said than done, but you really shouldn't stress about your letters of recommendation. Your teachers and counselor are **there to help you**—in fact, it's literally their job. They want to advocate for you and help you further your education. When you ask for a recommendation, you should ask your teachers if they can provide you with a *strong* letter of support. If they seem hesitant at all, then thank them for their time and ask somebody else. As long as you're thoughtful about choosing people with whom you have good relationships and who can write an insightful letter about you, then you don't have to worry about **leaving the rest up to them.** Apart from choosing recommenders who know you well, **you can also have some say into shaping what goes into the letter.** Most schools will give you a "brag sheet" where you can remind your recommenders of your interests, motivations, and goals. You and your parents can describe some significant experiences you've had or challenges you've overcome to help your recommenders make the strongest letter they can. So even if the letter stays confidential, you'll still have some sense of what likely went into it. At this point, hopefully you have a better sense of what the FERPA waiver is all about and why it's **in your best interest to go ahead and agree to the waiver.** Or maybe you've scrolled down to this point, thinking "too long; didn't read." Either way, you're in luck! Below are the key points I wanted to make, distilled into bullet points for your reading pleasure. ![body_tldr](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/body_tldr.jpg?width=253&name=body_tldr.jpg)   ## Key Points About the FERPA Waiver - The FERPA waiver only waives your right to access your recommendation letters **after you've been accepted to and enrolled** in a college. - It's common practice for recommendation letters to be kept **confidential** in admissions procedures. Your recommenders may still let you see their letters before they send them—that's totally up to them. - As long as you're **thoughtful about choosing recommenders** who are supportive and know you well (and help them out with a detailed brag sheet), you can rest easy knowing your recommenders want to support you and help you get into college. - The FERPA waiver is probably the easiest part of your application. Just go ahead and click yes!   ## What's Next? **While the FERPA waiver's easy, the rest of your application can get a bit more complicated.** Read all about [how to build a versatile college application](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-can-you-build-the-most-versatile-college-application) that showcases your strengths and makes you stand out among the competition. **Is it that time of year when you're thinking about requesting letters of recommendation?** This article breaks down [how to request a letter of recommendation, step by step](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-request-a-letter-of-recommendation).   [![Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?   We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download them for free now:](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/360031/interactive-151856191907.png)](https://blog.prepscholar.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLIJgiMFJorbV2WfFXpUvrTKCV5ctlGkWrSTeA6T1spAsxnSiAqA%2BbR1%2FrFwJ%2Flc22yLCZ7QA%2BAvtHC8hStVNjHwAUCuy69G25Dnh7P2iUieB9KjH3utWdnpJGHhNtbkE3q3IXqTehyj3SGXs9D7u%2BUfI%2F8p7vzR7Ipr71DnSI6CtB9SzV2rrbIz0pGSPUzzF9quXg%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=151856191907&portalId=360031)   ### Trending Now [How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-into-harvard-and-the-ivy-league-by-a-harvard-alum) [How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-a-4-0-gpa-and-get-better-grades-by-a-harvard-alum) [How to Write an Amazing College Essay](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-write-a-college-essay) [Should You Take the SAT or ACT?](https://quiz.prepscholar.com/sat-vs-act) [What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-do-colleges-look-for) [ACT vs. SAT: 10 Key Differences](https://blog.prepscholar.com/act-vs-sat) [Calculate Your College Chances](https://mycollegechances.prepscholar.com/) Get Your Free **[![PrepScholar](https://www.prepscholar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PrepScholar-Logo-Colored.png)](https://www.prepscholar.com/)** eBook [5 Tips to Raise Your SAT Score 160+ Points](https://www.prepscholar.com/rp/sat-5-tips-ebook/) [5 Tips to Raise Your ACT Score 4+ Points](https://www.prepscholar.com/rp/act-5-tips-ebook/) ### SAT Prep [Find Your Target SAT Score](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-is-a-good-sat-score-a-bad-sat-score-an-excellent-sat-score) [Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests](https://blog.prepscholar.com/complete-official-sat-practice-tests-free-links) ### **[How to Get a Perfect SAT Score, by an Expert Full Scorer](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-a-perfect-sat-score-by-a-2400-sat-scorer)** [Score 800 on SAT Math](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-800-on-sat-math-by-a-perfect-scorer) [Score 800 on SAT Reading and Writing](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-800-on-sat-reading-and-writing) [Raise Your SAT Score by 160+ Points GUARANTEED. Start Your 5-Day Risk-Free Trial](https://www.prepscholar.com/sat-test-prep/?utm_source=databasepage&utm_medium=sidebar&utm_campaign=sat_guarantee) ### ACT Prep [Find Your Target ACT Score](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-is-a-good-act-score-a-bad-act-score-an-excellent-act-score) [Complete Official Free ACT Practice Tests](https://blog.prepscholar.com/complete-official-act-practice-tests-free-links) ### **[How to Get a Perfect ACT Score, by a 36 Full Scorer](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-a-perfect-act-score-by-a-36-full-scorer)** [Get a 36 on ACT English](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-36-on-act-english-9-strategies-from-a-perfect-scorer) [Get a 36 on ACT Math](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-36-on-act-math-8-strategies-by-a-perfect-scorer) [Get a 36 on ACT Reading](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-36-on-act-reading-11-strategies-from-a-perfect-scorer) Stay Informed Get the latest articles and test prep tips! - [![Follow us on Facebook (icon)](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/facebook_logo.png)](https://www.facebook.com/prepscholar) - [![Follow us on X (icon)](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/twitterx-50.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/follow?region=follow_link&screen_name=PrepScholar&tw_p=followbutton) - [![Follow us on Instagram (icon)](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/instagram-sidebar.webp)](https://www.instagram.com/prepscholar/) Get Exclusive Tips for College Admissions Sign up to receive free guidance on everything from acing the SAT to writing a standout college admissions essay. × ## Thanks for Subscribing! ![Check icon](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/file-2386656898.png/subscribe_check.png.png?width=175&name=subscribe_check.png) To receive immediate updates on all our helpful guides and strategies, **follow us** on social media: [![Facebook](https://blogprepschola.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/26de6c2beb2b71ee5b8d660200359259.png)](https://www.facebook.com/prepscholar) [![X](https://blogprepschola.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/f233666501ea25d3fcf3c390d2f08c7b.png)](https://x.com/intent/follow?region=follow_link&screen_name=PrepScholar&tw_p=followbutton) [![LinkedIn](https://blogprepschola.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/linkedin.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/prepscholar/) [![Instagram](https://blogprepschola.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/download-1.png)](https://www.instagram.com/prepscholar/) **Have friends who also need help with test prep?** Share this article! [![Share on email](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/email-color.png?width=24&name=email-color.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fblog.prepscholar.com%2Fshould-you-waive-right-to-review-letters-of-recommendation%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fblog.prepscholar.com%2Fshould-you-waive-right-to-review-letters-of-recommendation%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) [![Share on facebook](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/facebook-color.png?width=24&name=facebook-color.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.prepscholar.com%2Fshould-you-waive-right-to-review-letters-of-recommendation%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on twitter](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/x-twitter-color.png?width=24&name=x-twitter-color.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.prepscholar.com%2Fshould-you-waive-right-to-review-letters-of-recommendation%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.prepscholar.com%2Fshould-you-waive-right-to-review-letters-of-recommendation%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) [![Share on linkedin](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/linkedin-color.png?width=24&name=linkedin-color.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.prepscholar.com%2Fshould-you-waive-right-to-review-letters-of-recommendation%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) About the Author ![author image](http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/360031/file-2392391352-png/author_rebecca.png) Rebecca Safier Rebecca graduated with her Master's in Adolescent Counseling from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She has years of teaching and college counseling experience and is passionate about helping students achieve their goals and improve their well-being. She graduated magna cum laude from Tufts University and scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT. ## Ask a Question Below Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply! **[![PrepScholar](https://www.prepscholar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PrepScholar-Logo-White.png)](https://www.prepscholar.com)** - [WHO WE ARE](https://www.prepscholar.com/who-we-are/) - [SUCCESS STORIES](https://www.prepscholar.com/case-studies/) - [ADVICE BLOG](https://blog.prepscholar.com/) - [FOR SCHOOLS](https://www.prepscholar.com/for-schools/) - [SAT](https://www.prepscholar.com/sat-test-prep/) - [ACT](https://www.prepscholar.com/act-test-prep/) - [PSAT](https://www.prepscholar.com/psat-test-prep/) - [AP](https://www.prepscholar.com/ap-tutoring/) - [GRE](https://www.prepscholar.com/gre-test-prep/) - [GMAT](https://www.prepscholar.com/gmat-test-prep/) - [TOEFL](https://www.prepscholar.com/toefl-test-prep/) - [ADMISSIONS](https://www.prepscholar.com/college-admissions-consulting/) - [TERMS OF SERVICE](https://www.prepscholar.com/terms-of-service/) - [PRIVACY POLICY](https://www.prepscholar.com/privacy-policy/) - [![follow us on X (icon)](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/twitter-64.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/follow?region=follow_link&screen_name=PrepScholar&tw_p=followbutton) - [![Follow us on Facebook (icon)](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/facebook-64.png)](https://www.facebook.com/prepscholar) - [![follow us on Instagram (icon)](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/instagram-64.svg)](https://www.instagram.com/prepscholar/) - [![follow us on TikTok (icon)](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/tiktok-50.svg)](https://www.tiktok.com/@prepscholarofficial) - [![Follow us on LinkedIn (icon)](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/linkedin50.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/prepscholar/) © PrepScholar 2013-2025. All rights reserved SAT® is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination BoardTM. The College Entrance Examination BoardTM does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with the owner or any content of this web site. ACT® is a registered trademark belonging to ACT Education Corporation ("ACT"). ACT is not involved with or affiliated with PrepScholar Inc., nor does ACT endorse or sponsor any of the products or services offered by PrepScholar Inc. GRE® and TOEFL® are registered trademarks of the ETS®. The ETS® does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with, the owner or any content of this web site. GMAT® is a registered trademark of the Graduate Management Admissions Council®. The Graduate Management Admissions Council® does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with, the owner or any content of this website. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Rebecca Safier", "url" : "https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/rebecca-safier" }, "dateModified" : "2024-08-14T20:32:35+00:00", "datePublished" : "2020-01-18T14:00:00+00:00", "description" : "In college applications, you'll be asked whether you want to waive your right to review or examine your letters of recommendation. What does this mean, and should you do it? Find out why you should waive your FERPA rights.", "headline" : "Should I Waive My Right to Review Recommendation Letters?", "image" : "http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/feature_ferpa.jpg", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.prepscholar.com/should-you-waive-right-to-review-letters-of-recommendation", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.prepscholar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PrepScholar-Logo-Colored.png" }, "name" : "PrepScholar" } } ```