Can I read my teacher’s recommendation letter before it is submitted?

Usually, you cannot read your teacher’s recommendation letter before it is submitted. When you fill out the Common App or other applications, you are given the choice to waive your right to see it. Spoiler alert: you should waive it. Colleges take letters more seriously if they know teachers are free to be completely honest. It shows trust in the process and tells admissions officers that your recommendation was genuinely earned. Plus, a good teacher who agrees to write for you is already on your team, so trust them to tell your story well. If the idea still makes you nervous, choose a teacher you are absolutely confident will be your biggest cheerleader behind the scenes.