How Long Should a Letter of Continued Interest Be

A letter of continued interest (LOCI) should be short, about a half page to one page, or roughly three to five paragraphs. State that the school is a top choice, add one or two meaningful updates since applying, and keep it concise and sincere. Follow any length limits a specific school gives.

By Ali Unar, JD candidate at Georgetown Law and founder of Lovare Institut. Last updated August 2026. Every figure on this page was verified in August 2026 against the sources listed below.

How long should a letter of continued interest be?

A letter of continued interest should be short, about a half page to one page, which usually works out to three to five tight paragraphs. Admissions committees read these letters quickly, so a concise note is more effective than a long one. The aim is to confirm interest and share a couple of real updates, not to restate your whole application.

Why does the half-page-to-one-page rule work?

The half-page-to-one-page rule works because a LOCI is a signal, not an essay. A committee mainly wants to know two things: that the school is a top choice for you and that you have kept moving forward. Both fit comfortably in a few paragraphs. A longer letter risks repeating your file and burying the update that actually matters.

When might a LOCI be shorter or longer?

Adjust the length to the situation. If a school's waitlist instructions set a word or format limit, follow that exactly, even if it is shorter than one page. If you have a substantial, relevant update, such as a completed degree or a major new role, a full page is fine. If you have little new to report, a shorter, sincere note is better than padding.

What does letter length mean for your application?

Length signals judgment. A concise, specific LOCI shows you respect the committee's time and can communicate clearly, both useful traits in a future law student. A rambling letter can suggest the opposite. Focus your limited space on the single clearest statement of interest and your strongest update, and the length will take care of itself.

Frequently asked questions

How long should a LOCI be?

Keep a letter of continued interest to about a half page to one page, roughly three to five short paragraphs. That is enough to state the school is a top choice and share one or two updates. If the school sets its own length or format limit, follow that instead.

What do you say in a letter of continued interest?

Say that the school remains your top choice, then give one or two concrete updates since you applied, such as improved grades, a new job, or an award. Add a specific reason the school fits your goals, and close with a brief thank-you. Keep every line tailored to that school.

Does a LOCI help off a waitlist?

A concise letter of continued interest can help off a waitlist by confirming genuine interest and showing recent progress, which makes a committee more confident you would enroll. Length is not what helps; specificity and sincerity are. It cannot fix a large credentials gap, and waitlist admit rates vary by school and year.

Verified August 2026.