Write waitlist Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI)

Overview

The Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI) is the single most important waitlist tactic. Schools waitlist hundreds or thousands of students; they move to fill gaps based on who is most likely to enroll. A specific, compelling LOCI signals you're still serious about that school.

When to Send

• Within 7-10 days of receiving the waitlist notification
• Only send if this is genuinely a school you would attend over others that admitted you
• Do NOT send if the school isn't a true top choice - waitlists are not a collecting activity

What to Include (in order)

1. Thank them for offering you a waitlist spot (one sentence, sincere, not sycophantic)
2. Unambiguously declare your continued interest: "If admitted, I would enroll." This must be explicit.
3. New material since you applied: grades from latest semester (especially if improved), new awards, new research results, new leadership roles, new jobs, standardized test score improvements
4. Specific reasons this school is the best fit: name 2-3 specific programs, professors (with research topics), opportunities, or courses that align with your goals. Generic "amazing community" lines hurt you.
5. Close with reiteration: "I remain committed to [School Name] and would enroll immediately upon admission."

Length

400-500 words MAX. Some schools recommend 300. Admissions officers are busy in April.

Format

• Email or portal upload, whichever the school specifies (check the waitlist letter for instructions)
• Signed by the student, not the parent
• No attachments beyond what's requested (unless school explicitly says "update us on transcript")

What NOT to Do

• Do NOT write multiple LOCIs to the same school ("I sent one in March and another in April")
• Do NOT have your parent write it
• Do NOT lie about commitment - schools check; many require a separate commitment form before offering admission
• Do NOT include gimmicks, videos, creative formats
• Do NOT send it before the stated response date
• Do NOT promise things you can't deliver ("I will donate to the alumni fund annually")

Legal / Ethical Note

By May 1, you MUST enroll at one school (even if that's a safety you don't love). Waitlist movement happens May-July. If you're pulled off the waitlist later, you withdraw your deposit from the original school (forfeit the deposit, typically $300-$500) and enroll at the waitlist school.

Sample Template Structure

Dear Admissions Committee,

Thank you for offering me a place on the waitlist. [School Name] remains my first choice, and if admitted, I would enroll immediately.

Since submitting my application, I've [1-3 specific updates - new grades, award, research, leadership, etc.].

I remain deeply interested in [School Name] for specific reasons: [2-3 specific programs, courses, or professors, with 1-2 sentence explanation each of why these align with your interests].

Thank you for your continued consideration. I would be honored to join the Class of 2030.

Sincerely, [Your full name] [Application ID, if provided]

Tracking

Keep a spreadsheet:

• School
• Date waitlisted
• Date LOCI sent
• Any additional updates sent
• Response date

Realistic Expectations

Waitlist admission rates vary wildly by school and year. Top schools often admit 0-15% from waitlists. Smaller colleges and those with lower yield rates admit more. Don't base senior-year mental health on waitlists - commit to a school you love on May 1, then let waitlists be a pleasant surprise.