How Long Should a Letter of Intent Be

A law school letter of intent should be about one page, similar in length to a letter of continued interest but stronger in commitment. A letter of intent states that if admitted you will definitely enroll, so send it to only one school. Keep it concise, sincere, and specific, and honor any length the school requests.

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 intent be?

A law school letter of intent should be about one page, or roughly three to five paragraphs, similar in length to a letter of continued interest. The difference is not length but strength: a letter of intent makes a clear commitment to enroll if admitted. That promise means the letter should be focused, sincere, and sent to a single school.

How is a letter of intent different from a LOCI?

A letter of intent and a letter of continued interest look similar but carry different weight. A LOCI expresses continued interest and can go to several waitlisting schools. A letter of intent goes to exactly one school and states that you will attend if admitted.

• Letter of intent: a near-promise to enroll, sent to only your top choice.
• Letter of continued interest: a strong signal of interest, not a binding commitment.
• Both: about one page, specific, and sincere.

Why keep a letter of intent to about one page?

Keep a letter of intent to about one page because its power comes from a clear commitment, not from length. A committee needs to see two things: that you will enroll if admitted and why the school fits you. Both fit in a page. Only send a letter of intent when you truly mean the commitment, since sending it to more than one school undermines its honesty.

What does letter length mean for your application?

For a letter of intent, a tight one page signals seriousness and clarity. Because the letter promises enrollment, admissions officers weigh it in yield decisions, so a focused, credible letter helps more than a long one. Follow any format or length instruction the school provides, and spend your space on the commitment and one or two genuine updates.

Frequently asked questions

How long should a LOCI be?

A letter of continued interest should be about a half page to one page, three to five short paragraphs. A letter of intent is a similar length but makes a firmer commitment to enroll and goes to only one school. For either, follow any length limit the school states in its instructions.

What do you say in a letter of continued interest?

In a letter of continued interest you say the school is a top choice and add one or two real updates since applying. A letter of intent goes further, stating you will enroll if admitted. In both, be specific about why the school fits you and keep the tone sincere, not generic.

Does a LOCI help off a waitlist?

A letter of continued interest can help off a waitlist by signaling genuine interest, while a letter of intent sends the strongest possible enrollment signal to one school. Neither overcomes weak numbers. Because waitlist admit rates vary widely by school and year, use whichever letter honestly reflects your intentions.

Verified August 2026.