Some applicants are unsure whether to waive their right to access their letters of recommendation.
If you waive your right:
You will not be able to view the letters submitted on your behalf, even if you are admitted and enroll at Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
If you do not waive your right:
If you are admitted and enroll at Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, your letters will become part of your student record, and you will have the right to inspect that record (including your letters) after you enroll. Please note that you ONLY have this right if you enroll at Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. If you do not enroll, you do not have the right to view your letters.
Please note that both your recommenders and your program of interest can see whether you have chosen to waive your right to inspect your recommendations.
What does this question mean?
When you waive your right to view your recommendation, our system notifies your recommenders of your decision. As they submit a recommendation on your behalf, it may be useful for them to know if you will possibly have access to this recommendation in the future.
Should I waive my right?
Only you can decide whether or not to waive your right to inspect letters of recommendation. If you are uncertain, you may wish to ask the advice of people you know and trust (e.g. faculty, current graduate students, etc.).
Can I change my mind after I have submitted my recommender information?
No. Once you have submitted information about your recommenders, you cannot change your answer.
Why do we ask this question?
Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences asks this question in order to meet its obligations under the US Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), which gives all enrolled students the right to inspect their student records. If you are admitted and enroll at Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, your application will become a part of this student record.