How to Write a Strong Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI)

A Step-by-Step Guide with Examples

If you’ve been deferred or waitlisted at a college you love, you may be wondering how to express your continued interest in a way that stands out. We recommend writing a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI) to let your first-choice college know that you’re still interested—and give them some updates to help you compete with the Regular Decision applicant pool. A well-crafted LOCI can demonstrate your passion for the school, showcase updates to your academic and extracurricular achievements, and reaffirm your commitment to attend if admitted. Here’s how to write a compelling LOCI, complete with a successful example and a breakdown of why it worked.

What is a LOCI?

A LOCI is a letter written by a student who has been deferred or waitlisted at a college. It’s your opportunity to show the admissions committee that you are still enthusiastic about attending their school and that your qualifications have continued to improve. Think of it as a way to reaffirm your interest and show how you’ve grown since your initial application.

Why Is a LOCI Important?

A well-written LOCI can:

• Show continued interest: Admissions officers want to admit students who are truly excited about their school, and a LOCI tells them you’re committed.

• Provide updates: New grades, accomplishments, and experiences can strengthen your case.

• Help you stand out: If the college is weighing multiple applicants for a limited number of spots, your LOCI can be a deciding factor in how they view you.

1. Start with Gratitude

Begin your LOCI by expressing gratitude to the admissions committee. Even if you were deferred or waitlisted, showing appreciation for their consideration is essential. You want to start on a positive note and establish that you value their time and effort.

Example:

Dear Mr. Guttentag and Duke Admissions Committee,

I hope this letter finds all of you well. I am writing to share some further updates and to tell you that Duke remains my top choice.

This shows respect for the committee's work and sets a positive tone for the rest of the letter.

2. Provide Academic Updates

If your grades have improved or you've taken on new academic challenges since your application, make sure to highlight them. Provide specific details—mention your GPA or any courses you’ve excelled in. This will show the admissions committee that you're still growing and excelling academically.

Example:

I continue to do well in my senior year courses; my senior mid-year GPA is a 4.771, improving my cumulative 9-12 GPA from 4.452 to 4.494. My counselor has supplemented my application with a full transcript including first semester grades for the Committee to review.

This update highlights the student’s improvement and provides quantifiable evidence of continued academic excellence.

3. Share Extracurricular Achievements

Next, discuss any new extracurricular activities, awards, leadership positions, or projects you’ve been involved with since your application. This is your chance to show that you’ve continued to invest in your interests and have developed your skills further.

Example:

I was also invited to speak at the annual Equity Lead Institute, a county-wide conference that is centered on “building bridges, breaking barriers.” I’ll give a TedTalk-style presentation about what I’ve learned as an FCPS Student Equity Ambassador Leader (SEAL). I want to focus on the importance of speaking up against inequality, to hopefully encourage other students to do the same.

Here, the student highlights a major leadership accomplishment that ties into their passion for social justice, demonstrating their impact beyond the classroom.

4. Address Any Challenges and Demonstrate Problem-Solving

If you’ve faced any challenges in your community or personal life, talk about how you’ve overcome them and taken initiative. This shows resilience and leadership—qualities that colleges value.

Example:

The pressures of the Israel-Hamas War have led to tension and discrimination at my high school. In response, I and the other two Oakton SEALs persuaded the Oakton administration to approve a cultural fashion show called “Cougar Culture Fest.” The Culture Fest will also showcase food and music from Oakton students’ family traditions. I hope the Culture Fest will heal some of the divisions among Oakton students.

This demonstrates both leadership and a proactive approach to real-world issues, a combination that is always impressive to admissions committees.

5. Share Personal Insights

Admissions officers don’t just want to know about your achievements—they also want to get a sense of who you are as a person. Don’t hesitate to share your passions, hobbies, and personal interests in a way that adds depth to your character.

Example:

Finally, I realize that my application did not showcase one of my greatest joys—dance! I love dancing as a team with my friends—the music starts, our breathing synchronizes, and we dance as one. I also love to dance spontaneously at home with my sister as a way to release stress or just to be silly. I would love nothing more than to use my dance skills, school spirit, jolly humor, and energy to audition to be the Duke Blue Devil mascot.

Incorporating personal details like this humanizes the applicant and makes them more relatable to the committee. Plus, it demonstrates that the student is excited to contribute to campus life in a fun and unique way.

6. Reaffirm Your Commitment

In the final paragraph, you should clearly state your continued interest in the school and reaffirm your desire to attend if admitted. This is your moment to let the committee know that their school remains your top choice.

Example:

Thank you again for reviewing my application and the updates I have submitted. If admitted, I am ready to commit and bring my enthusiasm and drive to Duke University.

A strong commitment to attend is crucial for waitlisted or deferred students. Schools want to admit students who will enroll if offered a spot.

7. Sign Off with Gratitude Again

End your letter by thanking the committee once again for their time and consideration. A polite, appreciative tone can leave a lasting impression.

Let’s break down how the example letter we reviewed is effective:

• Opening with Gratitude: Starting with appreciation sets a positive tone and acknowledges the committee's effort.

• Academic Update: The student provides updated GPA and emphasizes academic improvement, reinforcing their commitment to excellence.

• Extracurricular Achievements & Leadership: These updates show the student is actively contributing to their community and demonstrating leadership.

• Addressing Challenges & Problem-Solving: The student showcases resilience and leadership through their response to cultural tension at school.

• Personal Insights: Personal passions, like dance, humanize the student and show they are well-rounded, contributing to campus culture.

• Reaffirmation of Interest & Commitment: Reaffirming commitment to attend is essential to solidifying your position on the waitlist or after a deferral.

Final Thoughts

Your LOCI should reflect who you are, what you’ve accomplished since your application, and why the school is still your top choice. Use this opportunity to highlight your strengths, showcase your growth, and express your enthusiasm. Keep it professional, but don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through.

By following this structure, you can create a compelling LOCI that will make you stand out to the admissions committee and show them why you’re a perfect fit for their school.