If you’ve been deferred or waitlisted, you probably want to know what you should do to alert your desired college’s admissions team to your continued interest. That’s where a letter of continued interest comes in.
A deferral occurs when a college admissions team decides to delay their decision regarding an early applicant to a later round of admissions. Deferral or waitlisting can occur for a variety of reasons, but the result is always the same: applicants must wait until a later round of admission to learn their fates. But, that doesn’t mean a deferral is a failure. In fact, it can be an opportunity.
Generally, the students who benefit the most from a deferral are those who take this delay as an opportunity to improve themselves in various ways. Perhaps they retake their standardized tests to improve their test scores. Or, maybe they improve their resume with more volunteer hours, high school extra credits, work experience, etc. Doing so allows you to take advantage of the downtime before the next round of admissions to make yourself into a stronger candidate.
Aside from boosting your high school resume, it’s also wise to write a letter to the admissions committees, letting them know that you’re still interested.
What Is a Letter of Continued Interest?
A Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI) is a letter to a college where you’ve been deferred or waitlisted. It’s purpose is to show the college you’re still excited to attend, share any new updates to your application, and reminds them why you’re a great fit. While not required, a strong LOCI can boost your chances by showing commitment.
Why Write a Letter of Continued Interest?
A letter of continued interest, which differs from the Common App personal statement, can be a great way to keep open the line of communication between you and the admissions team. Often, deferred or waitlisted students are only waitlisted because the university wants to give them a bit more time to ‘ready’ themselves for their school. They want to see what you do with your time, how you improve yourself.
A letter of continued interest allows you the chance to reach out and keep your name in their sights. It shows your determination to attend their school, and that you want them to know your seriousness about your further education with them.
It’s important to note, however, that not every university wants or even accepts a letter of continued interest. Once you’ve been deferred, pay attention to their ‘next steps’ process in the deferral letter. They will detail what they expect you to do next in the waiting process. If it expressly states do not submit a letter of continued interest, then you should follow their wishes. Always check beforehand!
How to Write a Letter of Continued Interest
A letter of continued interest should be simple. All you want to do is hit a few key points and keep the letter as short and concise as possible. Here are the five areas that you should touch on:
1. Greeting and Thank You
Open with a polite greeting that (ideally) addresses a specific representative, thanking them for the time they’ve taken to review your application.
2. Reason for Sending the Letter
Clearly state the purpose of the letter, which is to express your continued interest in the university after being deferred. Emphasize that the school remains your top choice (or one of your top choices) and that you’d be thrilled to attend if admitted. Keep this section brief, but show enthusiasm!
3. Recent Updates
This is the most important part of your letter. Since colleges have already reviewed your application, use this opportunity to share any new information that could tip the admissions scales in your favor. This could include academic achievements, awards, leadership roles, extracurricular achievements, or work experience.
4. Interest in the School
Reaffirm your interest in the school by highlighting specific programs, professors, classes, or recent campus news. If you’ve visited the school since submitting your application, be sure to mention that, too!
5. Closing Regards
Conclude with a polite and professional closing. Express gratitude and enthusiasm once more, and sign off with your full name, contact information, and applicant idea (if applicable).
Letter of Continued Interest Sample
What does this look like when put into practice? Well, let’s take a look at a letter of continued interest sample:
Dear Mrs. Wendy Yang,
I hope this letter finds you well. I’m writing to reaffirm my strong interest in Boston University and my enthusiasm for joining your academic community. BU remains my top choice, and I truly believe it’s the best place for the next stage of my education.
Since submitting my application, my passion for environmental science has only deepened. Last semester, I proposed a pollinator garden at my school to complement our thriving vegetable garden. With the proposal recently approved, I’ve been deeply involved in planning with the Garden Club to bring this vision to life in the spring.
My commitment to activism and service also remains as strong as ever. Last month, I led a group of over 300 youth activists in a march through Chicago to advocate for a transition away from fossil fuels as part of the Fridays for Future movement. These experiences reinforced my dedication to sustainability and environmental advocacy—areas I am eager to explore further at BU.
Having visited Boston University twice, I’ve had the chance to immerse myself in its vibrant community and explore its many resources. I’m especially excited about the Earth & Environment Department and research opportunities through the Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future. Of all the opportunities at BU, I most look forward to engaging with the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) to collaborate on sustainability projects and environmental policy initiatives. I also recently discovered BU’s Beekeepers, which would allow me to continue my commitment to sustainability and activism alongside like-minded peers.
Thank you for considering my application. I genuinely hope to receive positive news from Boston University soon. Please feel free to reach out if you need any further information.
Sincerely,
Grace Henry
Applicant ID: 479720
Conclusion
It’s important that deferred students keep their spirits high and do everything they can to increase their odds of admission in the next round. Nevertheless, it’s important to note that a letter of continued interest is not a guarantee that the admissions team will bump your application to the top of the pile. You should remain optimistic, but also realistic.
College admissions can be stressful. Luckily, you have our team at HelloCollege to help provide you with the tools to ensure you are prepared for every step of the college admissions process, from application to acceptance!
