Letter of Continued Interest Template

Build a strong LOCI in minutes with this guided checklist. Answer focused questions about your update and school fit, then preview your letter in real time.

LOCI Builder
Application Status
The college you're writing to
One substantive development; avoid lists of small activities
Tie your interest to a concrete aspect of the school: a program, faculty, research, campus culture, or opportunity
0 words

What a LOCI must NOT do

  • Repeat your application. A LOCI adds one new fact and one specific reason for your interest. It doesn't rehash your essay or résumé.
  • Sound entitled or demanding. Never imply you deserve admission or pressure the admissions office ("I will definitely enroll if accepted").
  • Exceed roughly 1 page / ~300 words. Admissions officers have limited time. Concise and focused beats lengthy and comprehensive every time.
  • Go to a school that explicitly says not to send one. Schools like Stanford, NYU, USC, UNC, UVA, and UIUC actively discourage LOCIs. Following their instructions is a sign of respect and careful attention.
  • Make excuses or focus on rejecting other schools. Don't explain why a waitlist happened or compare it to your acceptances elsewhere; focus only on your interest in this school.

When to send it

Timing matters: Send your LOCI within 1–2 weeks of receiving a deferral or waitlist decision. Waiting too long signals waning interest; sending immediately may look hasty. Aim for the sweet spot of thoughtful urgency.

Check the school's instructions first. The deferral or waitlist letter should tell you whether LOCIs are welcome. Some schools actively ask you not to send one, while others explicitly invite them. Honor those instructions exactly: sending unsolicited materials to a school that declines them will not help your case.

Delivery method: Most schools specify how to send your LOCI (email, your application portal, or to a specific person). If no method is given, email your regional admissions counselor is typically safe.

A LOCI is a one-page follow-up highlighting one new achievement and one specific school reason. It shows you are still interested and have remained active; it is not an apology for a deferral or an argument for reconsidering.

Explore related tools

Deferred vs. Waitlisted

Understand the difference between a deferral and waitlist decision, and what each means for your chances.

Demonstrated Interest Tracker

Track your interactions with each school to see where you stand and where you might strengthen your case.

Deadline Tracker

Keep all your application deadlines, deposit deadlines, and LOCI send-by dates in one place.

Frequently asked questions

Is a LOCI required or optional?
A LOCI is optional for most schools, but it is one of the most effective ways to show continued interest after a deferral or waitlist decision. If the school explicitly invites or requests one, treat it as strongly encouraged. If the school says not to send one, definitely skip it: forced materials rarely help.
Can I send one to every school that waitlists or defers me?
No. Always check each school's specific instructions. Some schools (Stanford, NYU, USC, UNC, UVA, and UIUC, among others) explicitly ask students not to send unsolicited materials. Sending a LOCI to a school that declines them will not improve your chances and may signal that you didn't read their instructions carefully. For schools that welcome LOCIs, one thoughtful letter is sufficient: multiple follow-ups rarely help and can backfire.
Should my counselor or a teacher also send a follow-up?
Probably not, unless the school specifically requests it. A single, focused update from you is most powerful. If a counselor or teacher wants to recommend you, ask the school's admissions office first whether they accept teacher or counselor updates. Coordinate with them to avoid sending duplicate information or overwhelming the admissions office.
What's the difference between a LOCI and asking someone to call the admissions office on my behalf?
A LOCI is a formal written update that goes into your file; it's a documented part of your application record. A phone call or personal advocacy by a counselor is more informal and may carry less weight. Both can show interest, but a LOCI is the more standard, trackable approach. If you do ask someone to contact the school, make sure the school welcomes that kind of outreach first.
Is there a best day of the week to send a LOCI?
No. Admissions officers read applications and updates continuously, and most systems timestamp all incoming materials. Sending your LOCI on a Monday, Wednesday, or Friday makes no meaningful difference. Focus on clarity and quality over timing: send it within 1–2 weeks of the deferral or waitlist decision, and you're in good shape.

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