FERPA Waiver: What It Means and How to Decide

By Eric Eng

By Eric Eng

questions to ask admissions officers

When applying for colleges, you’ll probably come across what’s known as a FERPA waiver, asking you if you want to give up your rights. But what exactly is FERPA, and is it a good idea to waive your rights? Before making any decision, it’s important to know what all of this means and how it fits into your college application process.

In this guide, we’ll discuss what FERPA rights are for and why waiving them is usually the best option. Plus, we’ll share tips to secure strong letters of recommendation so you don’t have to worry about this part of your application.

What Does FERPA Stand For?

“FERPA” stands for the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, which is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. By signing the FERPA waiver, you’re giving permission to colleges you apply to access your recommendation letters and other education records without you having the right to review them.

Folders in the table

Most students choose to waive their FERPA rights because colleges place more trust in recommendation letters and records they know the student hasn’t seen. This way, it reassures them that your letters are honest and genuine.

Some teachers or counselors might also decline to write a recommendation if you don’t waive your FERPA rights, as they may worry their comments could be misinterpreted if viewed later.

What are FERPA rights anyway?

Under FERPA, parents and students aged 18 or older have the right to review education records and request changes if the information is inaccurate or misleading. Schools need permission from the parent or eligible student to share these records with third parties, except in cases like health or safety emergencies or when required by a court order.

Since most college students are 18 or older, FERPA gives them the right to request access to their recommendation letters, including other records stored with their application.

Here’s the catch: you can only access your recommendation letters after you’ve been accepted and enrolled in a college. If you were rejected from or chose not to attend a specific school, you won’t be able to view them.

History of FERPA

So, where did FERPA come from? Knowing its history can help you understand why there’s a need for a waiver and what it means for your college application.

FERPA, sometimes called the Buckley Amendment, was named after Senator James Buckley, who sponsored the bill. He wanted to stop the misuse of student records, which was a big problem in the early 1970s. Back then, anyone in authority could look at student records, including medical information, and students were often placed in various programs without their parents’ knowledge or consent.

The 1972 Watergate scandal also helped lead to the creation of FERPA. Government corruption made people lose trust in those in power, pushing the need for stronger privacy protections in government and other areas. In 1974, FERPA was passed to protect student records and give families more control over their information.

Today, FERPA applies to all publicly funded schools under an applicable Department of Education program. It protects the privacy of student education records, including your college application, at the school you choose to attend.

FERPA Waiver on the Common App

While filling out the Common Application (or whatever application you’re using), you’ll be asked to read about your waiver and choose between two responses:

  • “I waive my right to review all recommendations and supporting documents.”
  • “I DO NOT waive my right to review all recommendations and supporting documents.”

Sounds pretty serious. But don’t worry, it’s actually quite simple.

If you waive your rights, you won’t be able to access your letters of recommendation at any point. If you DO NOT waive your rights, you may be able to request and read these letters, but only if your college keeps them on file after you enroll.

Female student typing in a laptop.

Again, it’s a good idea to waive your FERPA rights if you want admissions officers to take your recommendations seriously. Why?

Under FERPA, you can request access to your recommendation letters only after you’ve been accepted and enrolled in a school. By then, months after applying, waiting for decisions, celebrating your acceptance, and choosing your college, you probably won’t be thinking about digging into your admissions file to read what Mr. Johnson wrote about you back in senior year. You got in, so your letters must have been positive.

Also, remember that while FERPA doesn’t allow you to see your recommendation letters before they’re submitted, some teachers or counselors may still share their letters with you for feedback. However, this entirely depends on the individual, and it’s not something you should expect or ask for. 

Pressuring your recommenders to show you the letter could come across as distrustful. Plus, if you don’t trust them to write you a strong rec letter, they might not be the right person to ask in the first place.

Since you can only answer the FERPA waiver question once on the Common App, let’s discuss exactly why it’s a good idea to waive your rights.

Should I Waive My FERPA Rights?

The short answer is yes. By waiving your rights, you’re basically telling admissions officers you won’t try to read your recommendation letters and are confident in your abilities. It assures colleges that your recommenders can speak freely without worrying about you seeing their feedback.

If you don’t waive your rights, admissions officers might question whether your recommendation letters are really an honest and accurate reflection of your skills and character. Your teachers and counselors might also feel like you don’t trust them to write a strong letter, which could make them less willing to help.

While it won’t hurt you officially, not waiving could leave a bad impression on both your recommenders and admissions officers. By the time you’re in college, you’ll probably care more about your new experiences than what’s in your recommendation letters anyway. So, it’s best to waive your rights and trust your recommenders.

Tips to Secure Good Letters of Recommendation

It’s normal to feel uneasy about not seeing what’s on your college applications before submitting them. However, there are things you can do to gain some peace of mind when asking for those recommendation letters. Follow these tips, and you won’t need to think twice about waiving your FERPA rights.

Writing a letter of recommendation on a table.

1. Ask the right people.

The first step to getting a great letter of recommendation is choosing the right person to ask. Some colleges have guidelines about who should write your letters, so make sure you read and follow their instructions carefully.

If you’re not limited by school guidelines, ask someone who taught you recently or taught a subject related to your desired major or career. They should know you well enough to attest to your work ethic, intelligence, and overall character.

While it’s not exactly a good idea to ask a teacher from a class you didn’t do well, your recommenders don’t need to be the ones who gave you an A+. For example, a teacher from a hard class like Math or Science can highlight how you handle difficult topics and find ways to succeed.

You can also ask a teacher who knows you outside the classroom, like a club advisor or sports coach because they can provide a well-rounded and more personal view of who you are.

Overall, choose teachers you know want you to succeed and can be relied on to submit their letters on time.

2. Ask early.

Once you know who you want to ask, the polite thing to do is to make sure they have plenty of time to write your letter. Teachers are busy, and they’ll likely get requests from other students, especially around the same time.

Typically, you should request your letter at least four weeks before the due date. If the teacher is popular, ask even earlier. Some teachers may also have policies, like a cap on how many letters they write or deadlines for requests, so follow those guidelines closely.

3. Ask in person.

Some students make the mistake of asking for recommendation letters by email or even adding a teacher to the Common App without asking first. This is a no-no. Ask in person to show consideration and respect.

Pick a time when your teacher isn’t busy, like before or after class, and ask if they have a few minutes to chat. Don’t approach them right before class starts or when they’re surrounded by other students, as they might feel rushed or put on the spot.

When you do ask, make sure you phrase your words politely. If they hesitate or are unsure, it’s okay to ask someone else. If they agree, thank them and tell them you’ll send over anything they need to help write the letter.

ferpa waiver

Most teachers will submit letters electronically through the application systems, but if your teacher needs to mail the letter, you must provide an address and stamped envelope.

4. Give them the information they need.

Make sure your recommenders have the information they need to write a strong letter of recommendation. Send them your resume or write a brag sheet listing your accomplishments, interests, and experiences. Include the dates for each activity and any memorable roles or leadership positions you held.

You should also include details about your academic performance, especially in their class. Your teacher likely handles many students, so providing them with specific information will help them write a more personalized recommendation. This might include your grade in their class, your overall GPA, and any standardized test scores like the ACT or SAT.

Remember to mention where you’re applying, including Ivy League schools or other highly sought-after colleges, along with their application deadlines. And, of course, don’t forget to express your gratitude for their support and willingness to write the letter.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the FERPA waiver?

The FERPA Waiver is part of the Common App and other college applications, asking if you want to give up your right to view your letters of recommendation. By waiving your rights, colleges trust that your letters are honest and confidential. If you don’t waive it, you may be able to access your letters later, but it could make colleges question how truthful they are.

2. Am I waiving my rights forever?

No, the FERPA waiver doesn’t take away all of your FERPA rights. It only applies to your college recommendation letters, so you’ll still have the right to privacy and access to all your other education records. 

3. Will waiving my rights improve my chances of admission?

Waiving your FERPA rights can strengthen your application, as it assures colleges that your recommendation letters are candid and genuine. However, your chances of admission heavily depend on other factors like your GPA, extracurriculars, and personal essays—not just your recommendation letters.

Takeaways

  • The FERPA waiver asks you if you want to give up your right to view your college recommendation letters after you’ve enrolled in college.
  • You should waive your FERPA rights as it means you won’t be able to see your letters, which assures colleges that your recommenders are honest and candid.
  • Not waiving your FERPA rights could lead to doubts about the authenticity of your recommendation letters.
  • Choosing trusted recommenders is key to securing strong letters of recommendation.
  • Consult with experts at AdmissionSight to help you understand FERPA rights and craft a strong, well-rounded application to get you into the college of your dreams.

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