Deferred or Waitlisted? How to Write a Successful Letter of Continued Interest

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Waking up to find that you’ve been deferred or waitlisted is tough. And if you’re feeling frustrated, confused, or stuck in limbo, you’re not alone. It’s not a rejection, so there’s no closure. But it’s also not an acceptance, which means you’re left waiting, unsure of what comes next.

The good news? Being deferred or waitlisted still means there’s a chance. And one of the most effective ways to improve your odds is by writing a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI). In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly what a LOCI is, when you should (and shouldn’t) write one, what to avoid, and how to structure a strong, effective letter.

What Is a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI)?

A Letter of Continued Interest, often shortened to LOCI, is a formal letter sent to a university’s admissions office if you have been:

• Deferred from early admission, or
• Placed on the waitlist during regular decision.

The purpose of a LOCI is simple: it lets the university know that you are still genuinely interested in attending and explains why. It also allows you to update the admissions committee on anything meaningful that has happened since you submitted your application — and ideally, something has happened.

Should You Write a LOCI for Every University?

No — absolutely not.

Before you even consider writing a LOCI, the most important step is to carefully read the university’s instructions. Some universities explicitly state that they do not want additional materials. If a school tells you not to send a LOCI, do not send one. Ignoring instructions will only hurt your chances.

You should also pay close attention to:

• Whether a LOCI is allowed
• Any deadlines
• Length requirements
• Where and how it should be submitted

There’s no point writing a brilliant letter if no one is going to see it.

If you’re unsure about any of this, email the admissions office and ask. That’s completely fine.

Finally, don’t feel pressured to write a LOCI to every school just because it’s allowed. LOCIs take time. If you’re not particularly interested in a university or already hold offers you’re happy with, there’s no reason to invest the effort.

That said, if you do genuinely want to attend a university and LOCIs are permitted, writing one is a great way to stay proactive and potentially improve your chances.

What Not to Do in a Letter of Continued Interest

Before we talk about how to write a strong LOCI, it’s just as important to understand what to avoid.

Do not vent or complain. You may feel upset, disappointed, or even angry — and that’s completely understandable. However, a LOCI is not the place to express frustration or resentment. Admissions officers are busy, and negativity will only work against you.

Don’t overpraise the university. Being enthusiastic is good; being overly extravagant is not. Excessive flattery can come across as fake or insincere.

Don’t mention other universities or offers. Admissions officers don’t need to know where else you’ve applied or what offers you’ve received. Mentioning them can make you sound arrogant or disingenuous, and may even reduce a school’s incentive to offer you a place.

Don’t recap your entire application. Admissions officers already have access to your materials. Restating everything you’ve already submitted makes you seem desperate and suggests that nothing new has happened since you applied.

Double-check before submitting. Make sure you’re sending the correct letter to the correct university. Referring to the wrong school is one of the fastest ways to get rejected.

How to Approach a Strong LOCI

At its core, the goal of a LOCI is straightforward: You’re showing admissions officers that you’re still genuinely interested in their university and that you would be a strong fit.

You want them to be able to imagine you on campus, contributing academically, socially, and to the wider community.

Here are a few guiding principles to keep in mind:

• Be positive and polite. Rudeness, entitlement, or pressure will only hurt your case.
• Be genuine. Just like your essays, an LOCI should feel personal, not stiff or overly formulaic. Let your personality come through naturally, whether that be through a small personal story, your motivations, or even light humour if that speaks to your personality.
• Stay consistent with your application narrative. This isn’t a brand-new story, it should reinforce the narrative and themes that you’ve already established in your original application.
• Be concise but specific. Each school should receive a tailored letter with concrete details. However, don’t make it too long either. Keep it around 500–650 words, or roughly one to one-and-a-half pages.

A Recommended Structure for Your LOCI

Here’s a clear structure you can follow when writing your letter.

1. Open with Gratitude

Begin by thanking the admissions committee for taking the time to review your application and for deferring you or offering you a place on the waitlist. Keep the tone polite, positive, and respectful. This opening sets the tone for the entire letter and shows that you’re able to preserve and rise above challenges or downfalls.

2. Reaffirm Your Interest

Next, explain why you remain interested in the university. This is an excellent place to mention any interactions or experiences you’ve had since applying, such as:

• Campus visits or virtual events
• Conversations with current students or alumni
• Newsletters, program updates, or initiatives that stood out

Be specific, and clearly connect what you learned to your academic interests and long-term goals. This is also where your personality can really shine.

3. Share Meaningful Updates

Then, discuss two or three significant updates since submitting your application. These might include:

• New academic achievements
• Awards or recognitions
• Research projects, internships, or leadership roles

Ideally, these updates should align with the overall theme or narrative that you’ve been trying to convey in your application.

Don’t just list them as well. Explain why they matter, what you learned, and how they prepare you to succeed at that particular university. Try to link these updates back to specific opportunities at the school and how you would contribute to its community. Think of this as a mini “Why Us?” essay.

4. Close Professionally

End by reaffirming your interest one final time. Keep your closing hopeful, sincere, and professional. Thank the admissions committee again for their time and consideration, and sign off respectfully.

Final Thoughts

A Letter of Continued Interest won’t guarantee admission, but when written well and submitted correctly, it can meaningfully improve your chances.

Remember:

• Only submit a LOCI if it’s allowed
• Follow all instructions carefully
• Write a tailored letter for each university

I know this process can feel discouraging, but a strong LOCI is one way to take control of what you can influence.

If you’d like to see an example of an excellent LOCI or want professional assistance with your own, comment “LOCI” below or send us a message and one of our experienced editors will be in touch.

Good luck to every student out there — and we’ll see you in the next article!

About the Author

Zenar International Education is a company dedicated to helping students achieve their university dreams, with services including college application essay consulting and editing. All our teachers are native English speakers with years of experience correcting thousands of university application documents for students who’ve gotten into some of the top universities in the world.

Visit us at : **www.zenarinternationaleducation.com/collegeapp.php** to find out more.

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