Don't Give Up! Learn How to Write a Letter of Continued Interest
So you’ve waited to receive positive news from the college of your dreams, only to be left in limbo by getting deferred or waitlisted. Now what? Perhaps it wasn’t the response you had initially hoped for, but it also doesn’t mean it is the end of the line for your application.
Instead of waiting around for a final decision, use this time to take action and write a letter of continued interest (LOCI). What? You’ve never heard of a LOCI? Not to worry, this article will take you through the process of pleading your case to admissions, hopefully leading to an acceptance letter at the end.
According to Ethan Sawyer, the College Essay Guy, “ A letter of continued interest is an email you send to an admissions office… to let the college know you’re still interested in attending and why.”
Before you send your correspondence, it is crucial to find out if the school welcomes additional information and materials OR if they DO NOT want further communication. You must demonstrate that you know how to follow directions, so it doesn’t hurt your chances of receiving a coveted spot in the freshman class.
While there is no guarantee writing a letter of continued interest will increase your chances of ultimately being accepted, as long as you follow any instructions provided by the university, it’s okay to send a letter.
When deciding the best time to send your LOCI, please consider if you expect an improved GPA, additional test scores, or potential new awards or extracurricular achievements. You may want to wait until you receive them so you can discuss them in your letter.
The most important thing to remember when writing your LOCI is to be sure and indicate that you are likely to attend the school if offered a spot AND that you will be an asset to the school and have the potential to succeed there.
Below are some additional elements you should include when writing a letter of continued interest:
- The name of the individual (first and last name) to whom the letter is addressed. If you have been communicating with an area admissions representative, you may want to send it to them as well as the director of admissions.
- Express your gratitude for being deferred/waitlisted. This will give the reader another opportunity to evaluate your application materials. Consider it a positive; after all, you weren’t rejected.
- An explicit statement of your continued interest in the school as well as an acknowledgment that the school is your first choice IF this is the case. Also, be sure to share that you would have even applied for Early Decision if the college offered that policy.
- Add some specific reasons WHY you are interested in the school. Consider this like writing a “Why Us” essay and include details like programs, research opportunities, activities, faculty, etc.
- You can even use this time to mention that visiting other colleges only reinforced your interest in their school.
- Be sure to include any new information, such as improved test scores, higher GPAs, and/or awards.
- Your closing should thank the reader for their consideration and provide contact information.
- Finally, the letter should not exceed one page.
Remember, your LOCI is not an appropriate platform to complain about being deferred or waitlisted. Instead, stay positive! Hopefully, you will receive good news. Be sure to keep in mind that while there is no way to be sure your letter will sway admissions teams to provide you with an acceptance, but it certainly can improve your chances.









