Waitlisted? Here’s How to Write a Letter of Continued Interest.
Being waitlisted sucks. However, you still have the opportunity to affect your admissions decision by writing a strong Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI).
A well-crafted LOCI is your last chance to tell the school why you’re the perfect candidate. Take this opportunity seriously! Here’s how to write a compelling Letter of Continued Interest that may help you secure your spot at your dream school.
What is a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI)?
A Letter of Continued Interest is a formal letter you send to a college or university after being waitlisted. This letter should reaffirm your interest in the school and provide any new information that may strengthen your application. It’s your final chance to update the admissions committee on your achievements, share how the school fits into your future goals, and demonstrate that you are still eager to attend.
If you’re on the waitlist, you should consider this letter a required step to gaining admission. (While of course it’s not technically required, your chances of getting admitted without one are slim to none).
When Should You Write a LOCI?
You should write a LOCI after you have been officially waitlisted and given the opportunity to submit one. Most colleges will provide clear instructions on what to do if you’re waitlisted, and some may even request that you send an LOCI. Make sure to check the school’s guidelines before submitting.
Steps to Write an Effective Letter of Continued Interest
Start with Gratitude and Reaffirm Your Interest Begin your letter by thanking the admissions committee for considering your application and placing you on the waitlist. Express your genuine appreciation for the opportunity to still be in the running for admission. Then, explicitly state that you are still very interested in attending the school.
Example: “I would like to begin by expressing my sincere gratitude for being placed on your waitlist. I am still very excited about the possibility of joining [School Name] and I wanted to take the opportunity to reaffirm my strong interest in attending if admitted.”
Update Them on Your Progress This is where you can share any new accomplishments or developments since submitting your application. Have you won any new awards, completed a significant project, or received improved grades? Did your internship duties expand, are there anecdotes you included in other applications that you didn’t have room to share with this school, or did you join a new club? These updates show that you are continuing to challenge yourself and excel.
Example: “Since my application, I’ve continued to [mention a significant achievement or update]. For example, I recently completed a research project on [topic], which I presented at [event or competition]. Additionally, I have maintained my [academic progress or extracurricular involvement].”
In this section, don’t shy away from explicitly stating how these updates make you a good candidate.
Example: “I’ve continued to develop leadership skills by [contributions to an activity]” or “I’ve continued to demonstrate a commitment to [insert value] by [action].”
Reinforce Why the School is a Good Fit Reflect on why the school is your top choice. Which specific programs, values, or campus culture align with your academic and personal goals? Be specific, and explain why you believe you would thrive there. This part of your letter should sound like a Why School essay, and will require significant research to improve your specificity. Remember: this is a chance to show the school that you know exactly who they are, and in consequence know that they’re the best fit for you.
Example: “I remain deeply committed to attending [School Name] because of its outstanding [specific program, professor, or opportunity]. The school’s emphasis on [specific values or academic focus] is something that aligns perfectly with my long-term goals in [field of interest]. I am confident that [School Name] would provide the ideal environment for me to grow academically and personally.”
End on a Positive, Enthusiastic Note Conclude your letter by thanking the committee once again for their consideration and reiterating your eagerness to attend. Make sure your tone is respectful, but also excited and forward-looking. Keep it positive and professional.
Example: “Thank you once again for considering my application. I would be absolutely thrilled to join the [School Name] community and I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to its vibrant campus life.”
Keep It Concise and Professional Your letter should be no more than one page in length. While it’s important to share updates and your enthusiasm, it’s equally important to be concise. Keep your letter well-structured, free from errors, and professional in tone.
Tips for Writing Your LOCI
Proofread Carefully: Just like your college application, your LOCI should be error-free. Read through it multiple times and consider having someone else review it as well.
Personalize It: Tailor your letter to each school. Avoid using a generic template. Mention specific details about the school that show you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested.
Be Honest: If you’ve had challenges, it’s okay to briefly mention them, but don’t dwell on negatives. Keep the tone positive and forward-looking.
Follow the Instructions: If the school provides guidelines for waitlisted students, make sure you follow them to the letter. Some schools may want you to submit the LOCI through a portal, while others may ask for it to be emailed or sent by mail.
Conclusion
Being waitlisted is not the end of the road — it’s simply a delay in the admissions process. By writing a thoughtful and compelling Letter of Continued Interest, you can demonstrate to the admissions committee that you’re still a strong candidate, eager to contribute to their campus.
If you’d like assistance with your Letter of Continued Interest, we’d be happy to help! Please contact us here.
