Should you write a letter of continued interest?
Were you deferred from the early college deadline round or waitlisted in the regular decision pool? Consider writing a letter of continued interest to your top choice colleges!
What is a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI)?
A LOCI is just as it sounds… it is a letter the prospective student writes to the university letting them know that, even though they were deferred or waitlisted, they are still very interested in being considered for enrollment at the institution.
How to Send a Letter of Continued Interest
You want to read your deferral or waitlist letter very carefully to make sure you are adhering to the guidelines set forth by each college. Some schools will provide very specific guidance (ex. It must be submitted through the application portal and they will only accept one update), while others may have a less formal process that isn’t addressed. If it isn’t specified, you’ll want to send your LOCI, through email, to your assigned regional admissions counselor.
What to Include
The Letter of Continued Interest is an opportunity to provide a college with any updates since you originally submitted your application as well as letting the college know how much you’d like the chance to attend their institution.
Recent Accomplishments
This includes any extracurricular competitions & awards, athletic accolades, as well as newly elected leadership positions. Did you make it to the regional, state, or national level of competition in your chosen activity? Were you elected president of a club or captain of your athletic team? These are all great updates to provide to the college admissions counselor!
Above Average Grades
Did you work extra hard to make your first-semester senior year grades the best of your high school career? This is an update an admissions counselor wants to see! While many high schools will send semester grade reports to colleges, it doesn’t hurt to highlight this in your LOCI.
Why You Want to Attend This School
While some schools ask the traditional “Why Us?” question in a supplemental essay, many applicants haven’t had the opportunity to share why they are interested in attending. Have you visited the campus? Is there a specific major you want to study or a professor you are interested in learning from? Are there any specific clubs, activities, or campus traditions you are excited to participate in? Has this school been your first choice your entire life? Don’t hesitate to share why you love this college in your letter!
Level of Interest
Is this your top choice school? Do you plan to attend this school if you are offered acceptance? If the answers are “Yes”, definitely let them know! Colleges want to admit strong students who want to attend their institution!
When to Send a Letter of Continued Interest
For a deferral from the early round, you can send a LOCI between mid-January to mid-February, depending on when you have accomplishments you can share. If you are waitlisted, you should plan to send the letter within a few weeks of learning your status.
Don’t Forget to Say “Thanks”
You want to be gracious throughout your letter. Thank the admissions counselor for continuing to consider your application and let them know how special this school is to you. Focus on sharing why you love the school, how you see yourself as part of the school community, and providing updates to the admissions office. Remember, you don’t want to repeat the information that you shared in your application! Personalize each letter you write and conclude with a final thank you.