Decide on FERPA waiver for letters of recommendation

Overview

When you add recommenders in Common App or Coalition, you will be asked: "Do you waive your right to review this recommendation letter?" This is governed by FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act). Most students and counselors recommend waiving your right.

What FERPA Means

FERPA gives you the right to view your educational records, including letters of recommendation if you enroll at a college. By waiving that right, you agree not to read the letter that your teacher submits.

Why Waive?

1. Credibility: Admissions officers strongly prefer waived letters. If you retain the right to view, they may discount the letter because the teacher may have softened criticism knowing the student would read it.
2. Teachers prefer it: Most teachers will write a more candid, detailed letter if they know it's confidential. Some teachers explicitly require a waiver.
3. Signal of trust: Waiving signals that you trust your recommenders - which you should if you asked the right people.

Why Not Waive?

There are almost no practical reasons not to waive. Occasionally a student has concerns about a specific teacher, in which case: pick a different teacher.

When You're Asked

• Common App: During Recommenders invitation setup in each school's "Recommenders and FERPA" section
• Coalition: Similarly during recommender setup
• UC Application: No FERPA waiver asked - UC requires the school counselor to enter activities but does not require teacher letters

One-Time Decision Per School

On Common App, you select your FERPA status per school. Most students check the same (waive) for every school. Common App lets you waive once and apply to all.

Timing

Complete FERPA waivers in August/early September, before inviting recommenders. Recommenders cannot submit letters until you've made the selection.

If You Accidentally Don't Waive

You can update the selection as long as the recommender hasn't submitted. Once submitted, the selection is locked in.

Strategic Note

Waiving is the default expert recommendation. If you ask a teacher "should I waive?" and they say "your choice," waive. If they say "please waive," absolutely waive.