Waive right to review recommendations

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Waive right to review recommendations

by twoplustwo » Mon Jun 22, 2009 11:40 am
Hello, I am applying to the HBS 2+2 program and I unchecked the box which said "I waive my right to review the letters of recommendation." I guess I was just curious as to what my recommenders would write about me. Was that a bad decision? Will that be viewed negatively and hurt my chances? I was thinking of faxing a letter to the admissions office to waive my right to review the letters, but then I thought the damage might already be done. Is there any way I can repair the damage? The application is not due until another 10 days. Please help!
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by Paxton Helms - Kaplan » Wed Jun 24, 2009 12:54 pm
Hmm... interesting question. My take is that --if your recommenders have already submitted their recommendations-- then that you should do nothing. I suppose you could fax a letter if you wanted (and I probably would) but this seems pretty small in the scheme of things.

The bigger risk is if this adversely effects your recommenders. One of the nice things about confidential recommendations is that the recommenders are free to say what they want. The picture that they paint is not as black and white as recommendees might think: it is often a combination of high praise and candid assessment of your weaknesses. Often times, the recommendation is more nuances (and the writer far more perceptive) than one might think.

My recommendation? Send the fax and then follow up with a phone call. Make sure that it gets done, especially if your recommenders haven't done their thing.

Paxton
Keep me in the loop about your thinking and let me know if you have any more questions.

Paxton



Paxton Helms is an MBA admissions consultant for Kaplan Admissions Consulting. He earned his MBA from UCLA and specializes in helping clients that are applying to top twenty and "reach" programs. He can be reached directly at [email protected].

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