How to Write a Letter of Continued Interest That Gets You Off the Waitlist

Getting waitlisted feels like limbo. You're not rejected, but you're not in. The school is basically saying, "We like you, but we're not sure yet."

Here's what most students don't realize: you can influence what happens next. The most powerful tool in your waitlist toolkit is a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI).

What Is a LOCI?

A Letter of Continued Interest is a letter you send to the admissions office after being waitlisted that does three things:

1. Confirms you still want to attend (this matters more than you think)
2. Updates them on new achievements or developments since you applied
3. Shows genuine, specific enthusiasm for the school

Why It Matters

Admissions officers use the waitlist to fill spots from students who decline their offers. When deciding who to pull off the waitlist, they prioritize students who are most likely to actually enroll. Your LOCI signals: "Pick me, and I'm coming."

At many schools, demonstrated interest is the tiebreaker between waitlisted students with similar profiles.

When to Send It

Send your LOCI within 1-2 weeks of receiving the waitlist decision. Don't wait until May. Early signals of interest get noticed.

The LOCI Template

What Makes a LOCI Stand Out

DO:

• Be specific. Name a professor, a class, a club. Show you've done real research.
• Share genuinely new information. Improved test scores, new awards, a meaningful experience.
• Keep it under one page. Admissions officers read hundreds of these.
• Be authentic. They can smell a form letter from a mile away.
• Proofread ruthlessly. Typos in a LOCI are a bad look.

DON'T:

• Beg or guilt-trip. Desperation doesn't work.
• Repeat your entire application. They already have it.
• Send more than one LOCI. One strong letter is enough. Following up once after 3-4 weeks is okay.
• Make it about ranking or prestige. "Your school is ranked #12" is not a compelling reason.

Beyond the Letter

A LOCI isn't the only thing you can do:

• Visit campus if you haven't — and let admissions know you did
• Connect with your regional admissions rep — a brief, polite email expressing continued interest
• Keep your grades up — a mid-year grade drop can kill your waitlist chances

The Waiting Game

Waitlist decisions typically come between May and July. In the meantime, you need to deposit at another school by May 1. This is not double depositing — it's the correct move. If you get off the waitlist later, you can withdraw from the other school (you'll lose that deposit, but it's worth it if this is your top choice).

Get Honest Advice

Want to know what the experience is actually like at your waitlisted school? Talk to a current student or recent alum who can give you the real story. Ask Kinsley connects you with people who are actually there — not admissions staff, not marketing materials, but real students living it.

Write the letter. Send it. Then focus on the school that said yes. Either way, you're going to be okay.