So you’ve been waitlisted or deferred. Darn. But wait: all is not lost! You may have another chance to make your case. And that, my friends, is what this post is all about.
We’ll cover:
What is a letter of continued interest (LOCI)?
Should I send one to every school?
How many students do schools accept off the waitlist (AKA What are my chances)?
What should I include in an LOCI?
A great example letter
Will a letter of continued interest really help?
Where and to whom should I send my letter?
What is a letter of continued interest (LOCI)?
A letter of continued interest is an email you send to an admission office, typically after you’ve been deferred or placed on their waitlist. It lets the college know you’re still interested in attending and why.
Should I send one to every school?
Not necessarily. When you’re deferred or placed on a waiting list, follow the directions the college provides for what they want you to do next. If they specifically ask you not to send a letter, don’t! But many colleges will invite you to update your application with a letter describing your new achievements and why you are still interested in attending. If you’re unsure, just email back to ask, “May I send a letter of continued interest?” Sometimes all they want is for you to check a box on a form they provide.
How many students to do schools typically take off the waitlist (AKA What are my chances)?
In short, it depends on the year and it depends on the school. If you’re curious, my friends and colleagues Jennie Kent and Jeff Levy, featured thrice on the podcast, have put together this rad Google spreadsheet that lists waitlist data for 2017-2019 for a number of schools. Note that just because X school accepted Y percentage of students off their wait list one year doesn’t mean they’ll accept that same number the following year. According to the chart, Clemson accepted 449 students off the waitlist in 2018 and just 6 in 2019. It’s also interesting to see how much schools vary: Baylor accepted 1,349 students off the wait list in 2017, according to the chart, while Beloit accepted just 3.
“If you’re placed on the waitlist (WL), the first thing to consider is if you want to prolong the decision process. Assess how that waitlist school stacks up against the other schools you’ve been admitted to. If you feel a deep connection to that school, a few more weeks of uncertainty may be worth it. But you'll need to express your continued interest to the WL school. Many schools will ask students via survey or email whether they want to be an active member of the waitlist. While it's imperative to respond in the school's requested format, you can often send an additional letter.
Strategy is key, though. Your high school counselor may be able to help you formulate one. If you have a connection with your admission counselor, this is a good time to reconnect. Ask the admission officer to recommend what you might do to show interest. Some schools allow WL students to provide further information (e.g., updated grades, new recommendation letters, a refreshed “why us” essay, a video response, or maybe even a meeting with the admission officer). Do not overdo your response; observe requirements and be discerning about what you include. Looking into the school’s WL history can reveal helpful insights.
For example: How many WL students were accepted in the previous year? When June arrives, you may need to let go of your WL school. Developing connections with schools that admitted you can help you transition to college. You'll want to earnestly prepare for this next step in your life. Connect virtually with classmates, get to know your new city/home, and read the materials your Student Life Office and professors send.”
- Ed Devine, West Coast Regional Director of Admissions, Lafayette College
What should I include in a Letter of Continued Interest?
New information. The school has made a preliminary decision that your application is a “maybe.” You’re a competitive applicant, but you didn’t quite make the cut. New information is the best way to turn that “maybe” into a “yes.” Here’s a paragraph-by-paragraph breakdown of what you might include in your letter:
Thank the reader for reevaluating your materials and reaffirm that X school is the place for you. If the college is your absolute first choice and you would attend if admitted, say so.
Offer new information such as updates on extracurricular activities, any awards won, projects you’ve begun, or improved GPA or standardized test scores (if applicable).
Include any info on a campus visit if you’ve made one, and what specifically you loved.
Consider including 2-3 brief “Why us” details describing why you and the school are a great match.
Thank the reader again and sign off.
A great example letter:
Dear Ms. Veronica Lauren,
My name is Zola Avery, and I’m a hopeful Yalie from Bergen County, New Jersey. Though deferred from the Early Action pool, I remain absolutely convinced that Yale is the school for me. I’d like to thank the admissions department for reevaluating my materials.
Notice how simple, clear, and straightforward.
This past weekend, I got the opportunity to spend some time up in New Haven for the Yale University Model United Nations Conference (YMUN), serving as part of the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction Committee (UNISDR) and debating rising sea levels and volcanic eruptions. Speaking with current Yale students made me realize more than ever before that I was with my people—warm, incredibly funny, artistic in their own way, and unabashedly inquisitive. This weekend, I was where I belong.
I love the specifics she includes when describing the students she met: “warm, incredibly funny, artistic in their own way, and unabashedly inquisitive”
I would also like to take this time to briefly tell the admissions department about a few things that have happened since I submitted my Early Action application. First, I wrote, illustrated, and published a children’s book centered around gender inclusivity in STEM fields, with all proceeds going towards supporting curriculum development and outreach for the Stereotype Project, an organization I’ve been running for the past four years that focuses on combating stereotypes through art. I’ve attached PDF copies of my book, Mika and the Microscope, along with some other information, but you should be receiving a copy in the mail soon. I very much believe the magic of reading is magnified when the book is in its physical form (and I think my brother and sister, 5 and 9, would definitely agree).
Here she includes a few updates told in a succinct, straightforward way.
Secondly, I’d like to add the following honors to my admissions file:
- Best Delegate, Yale University Model United Nations Conference
- Outstanding Delegate, Bronx Science High School Model United Nations Conference
- Member of the Andrea Rubino Sheridan Chapter of National Honor Society
Note that these are new awards and she is not re-hashing what was in her application already, which can sound desperate.
My whole life I have worked to draw connections and bridge the gap between science, social justice, and art. Whether wandering through the Yale Art Museum, bringing together feuding nations as part of YMUN, or listening to Dr. Woo-Kyoung Ahn speak about causal learning and the relationship between genetic explanations and psychopathology, I know that no community will help me flourish quite like Yale’s would. I know that there is nowhere else I’d rather create the future.
Here she offers a few “Why us?” details that she didn’t include in her original application.
Again, thank you for taking the time to reevaluate my application. Please let me know if there’s anything else I can provide.
Nothing fancy here, just thank you and goodbye.
Sincerely,
Zola Avery
Will a letter of continued interest really help?
Maybe. It depends on how the school uses its waitlist and what they’re looking to add to the first-year class. Colleges might use the waitlist to achieve gender balance, beef up enrollment in certain academic programs, or add certain talents. For schools that track demonstrated interest, the LOCI may matter a bit more. Some schools may not even go to their waitlist in a given year, as they’ll fill their class through the early and regular decision rounds. Having said that, ask yourself, “Will I regret it if I don’t write a letter?” If so, it may be worth a shot—you never know. And definitely write a letter if they ask you to and you’re still interested.
Where and to whom should I send my letter?
The school will likely tell you where to send your LOCI in your waitlist or deferral notice. There may be a form to fill out—if so, use that!—if not, send your letter to the person who sent you the original notice. If you’re unsure, email or call the admissions office and ask.
In closing
Again, read the waitlist letter carefully, follow the directions, and, if need-based aid is a deal breaker, make sure you are clear on whether or not it will be available.
Wondering what to do when you’ve been waitlisted or deferred? See my full guide.
