How to Write a Letter of Continued Interest That Actually Gets You Off the Waitlist

A letter of continued interest, or LOCI, is a short piece of writing your student sends to an admissions office after being waitlisted. Done well, it can be the difference between getting the call in June and never hearing from that school again.

Here is how to write a letter of continued interest that actually does its job.

What a Good LOCI Actually Accomplishes

When a college fills spots from its waitlist, it chooses students who are most likely to enroll. This is a yield decision as much as an admissions decision. The school is asking: if we extend this offer, will this student actually come?

Your LOCI answers that question directly and credibly. It does three things: it confirms continued strong interest, it provides evidence of that interest through specific school knowledge, and it shares genuine updates that strengthen the original file.

A LOCI that does only the first thing is weak. One that does all three is compelling.

The Structure That Works

Keep the letter between 200 and 300 words. Longer is not better. Here is the structure:

Opening (2 to 3 sentences): State clearly that you are writing to reaffirm your strong interest in attending. Name the school by name. Mention that you received the waitlist notification and that your interest has not changed.

Specific school fit (3 to 4 sentences): Name something specific about the school that connects to your academic or personal goals. Not generic praise. A named program, a specific faculty member’s research, a unique curriculum feature, or a community aspect. This shows you have done real research, not just copy-pasted a letter you sent to five other schools.

Updates since application (3 to 5 sentences): Share any meaningful developments since you submitted your application. This could include a significant new award or recognition, a leadership position you took on after applications closed, a completed project, a new research opportunity, an improved grade in a challenging course, or a meaningful experience that reinforced your interest in the school’s program. Only include genuinely new and meaningful updates. Do not pad this section.

Commitment statement (1 to 2 sentences): If this school is your top choice and you would attend if admitted, say that clearly and directly. “If admitted, this would be my first choice and I would enroll.” Admissions offices read this and take it seriously because students who make this statement know they are making a commitment. If this school is not truly your first choice, do not write this sentence. Be honest.

Closing (1 sentence): Thank the admissions office. Keep it brief.

What to Avoid

Emotional appeals without specificity. “I have dreamed of attending this school since I was a child” without specific supporting detail lands as noise. Admissions readers have seen it hundreds of times this month alone.

Repeating your original application. The reader has already seen your application. The LOCI is for what is new. Do not restate your GPA, your activities, or your original essay themes unless you are using them as context for a new update.

Excessive length. A four-page letter reads as someone who cannot edit. A tight 250-word letter reads as someone who respects the reader’s time and knows what they want to say.

Pressure tactics. Do not mention that you have a deadline at another school, that your parents are pushing you to decide, or that you are losing patience. None of this helps.

When to Send It

Send the LOCI within two weeks of receiving the waitlist notification. Earlier is better. If the school provides a specific method for sending updates (many do, through the portal), use that method. If no portal mechanism is provided, email the regional admissions officer or the general admissions email address.

A Sample Framework

Here is a framework your student can adapt. Do not copy it verbatim. The specificity must be real and true to your student.

“Dear [Admissions Office / specific admissions officer name if known],

I am writing to reaffirm my strong interest in [School Name] following the waitlist notification I received on [date]. My enthusiasm for attending [School Name] has not changed.

[School Name]’s [specific program, research center, or academic feature] directly aligns with [specific thing your student is working on or interested in]. [One specific sentence connecting the school’s offering to your student’s goal.] I have not found this combination at any other school I was admitted to.

Since submitting my application, [describe 1 to 2 genuine new updates]. [Briefly explain why each update is meaningful and relevant to your candidacy.]

If admitted, [School Name] would be my first choice and I would enroll. I am grateful for your continued consideration.

Sincerely, [Student Name]”

For the full strategy around waitlist decisions, including when to accept and when to move on, see my guide on what to do when you are waitlisted at a college.

Frequently Asked Questions: Letter of Continued Interest

How long should a letter of continued interest be?

200 to 300 words is ideal. Never more than 400. A concise, specific letter demonstrates better writing judgment than a long one and respects the reader’s time in a high-volume season.

Should my student or a parent write the LOCI?

The student should always write it. A letter clearly written by a parent does not help and can hurt. Admissions officers can tell. The voice, the level of academic specificity, and the emotional register should all be the student’s own.

Can my student send updates in addition to the LOCI?

Yes. If significant new information emerges after the LOCI is sent, such as a major award or a significant new achievement, a brief supplemental update is appropriate. Keep it short. Send it to the same contact. Do not bombard the admissions office with multiple messages per week.

Does every college accept or read LOCIs?

Most do. Some schools specifically encourage them. A few schools state clearly in the waitlist notification what type of additional communication is welcome. Always read the waitlist letter carefully before sending anything additional.

What if the school my student is waitlisted at is not their true first choice?

Be honest in the LOCI. Do not write “if admitted, this would be my first choice” if that is not true. Write something like “I remain very interested in attending [School Name] and would give your offer serious consideration alongside my other options.” This is honest and still signals genuine interest without an untrue commitment statement.