LOCI: 250–350 word letter reaffirming interest in waitlisted school. Increases acceptance 1–3%. Send by mid-April. Include specific programs & new
Letters of Continued Interest (LOCI) 2026: Templates & Examples That Work
You're waitlisted. Your top-choice school says maybe, not yes. But before you resign yourself to alternatives, know this: sending a Letter of Continued Interest can meaningfully improve your chances. Research from the National Association of College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) shows that strong LOCIs increase acceptance rates by 1–3 percentage points—modest, but real. And for a competitive school where 1–2% separates acceptance from rejection, that margin matters. This guide shows you exactly how to write a LOCI that reignites a school's interest in you.
Why Admissions Officers Care About LOCIs
Yield—the percentage of admitted students who enroll—directly affects college rankings and prestige. Waitlisted students sending LOCIs signal genuine interest, which improves predicted yield. Admissions offices see LOCIs as evidence that you're serious, not just hoping. That commitment counts. However, LOCIs only matter if written well. A generic, form-letter LOCI might hurt more than help by signaling lack of genuine interest.
LOCI Timing & Format Guidelines
| Element | Best Practice | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Timing | Send by mid-April (before May 1st decision deadline) | Arrives before waitlist decisions; signals urgency |
| Length | 250–350 words (one page, single-spaced) | Respects admissions officer time; shows respect |
| Tone | Professional, sincere, enthusiastic (not desperate) | Demonstrates maturity and genuine interest |
| Format | Email or letter submitted via admissions portal (follow school's instructions) | Ensures LOCI reaches the right person/office |
| Subject Line (if email) | "Letter of Continued Interest – [Your Full Name]" | Immediately identifiable for filing |
What To Include In Your LOCI
1. Specific why: Name one or two program features or experiences that make this school uniquely appealing. Don't say "I love [School]'s community." Instead: "Your interdisciplinary Environmental Science program and partnership with the Audubon Society align perfectly with my goal to study wetland conservation." Specificity proves research.
2. New achievements: If you've accomplished something since your application (National Merit status, volunteer award, significant grade improvement), mention it briefly. But only if genuinely impressive—don't pad with fluff.
3. Commitment statement: Close with: "I want to assure you that [School] is my first choice, and I am committed to enrolling if admitted." This signals yield-improving intent.
LOCI Template (Customize This)
Dear [Admissions Officer/Counselor Name],
I am writing to reaffirm my strong interest in attending [School Name] and my commitment to your community. Since submitting my application, I have become even more convinced that [School Name] is where I belong.
Your [specific program, initiative, or feature] resonates deeply with my academic interests and values. In particular, [mention something specific you learned by visiting campus or researching]. This aligns perfectly with my goal to [your academic/career goal].
Additionally, [mention new achievement or updated information since application]. I believe this demonstrates [relevant quality: commitment, growth, seriousness].
[School Name] is my first choice, and I am fully committed to enrolling if admitted. Thank you for reconsidering my application.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
LOCI Example: Real Student
Here's a stronger example (real scenario):
Dear Professor Chen,
I am writing to express my continued interest in the Class of 2030 at [School]. I visited your campus in March and attended a seminar on epigenetics taught by Dr. Sarah Liu. Her discussion of gene-silencing in cancer research crystallized something I've been pondering: how do we translate molecular biology into clinical practice? Your program's 8-week Summer Research Initiative offers exactly this bridge.
Since my application, I earned National Merit Finalist status and completed an independent project analyzing mutation rates in fast-growing tumors. This work deepens my conviction that [School]'s research-focused curriculum is the ideal preparation for my goal: cancer research at the NIH.
[School] is unequivocally my first choice, and I would be honored to contribute to your scientific community.
Sincerely,
Emma Rodriguez
Common LOCI Mistakes to Avoid
1. Generic praise: "I love your school" doesn't convince anyone. 2. Desperation: "Please admit me; I need your scholarship" backfires. 3. Accidental disrespect: Misspelling the admissions officer's name or the school name (yes, this happens). 4. Overexplaining: Don't rehash why you were waitlisted or complain about it. 5. Lying about first choice: Admissions offices have radar for this. Only claim first choice if it's true—especially if you're applying Early Decision elsewhere.
Related: College Decision Day 2026 | How to Write a Personal Statement | College Visit Checklist 2026
★ Key Takeaways
Source: The College Monk — Based on data from 3,837 U.S. universities. Last updated July 2026.
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