How Long Should a Letter of Interest Be

A letter of interest for law school, often the same as a letter of continued interest, should be about a half page to one page. State that the school is a top choice, add one or two meaningful updates, and keep it focused. If a school or program sets its own length limit, follow that.

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 interest be?

A letter of interest for law school should be about a half page to one page, roughly three to five paragraphs. In the admissions and waitlist context, a letter of interest usually means the same thing as a letter of continued interest: a short note confirming the school is a top choice and sharing recent updates. The brief length keeps the letter easy to read in full.

Does letter of interest mean the same as a LOCI?

In most law school admissions situations, a letter of interest and a letter of continued interest refer to the same document, a concise note expressing sustained interest after a waitlist or deferral. The wording differs by school and by applicant, but the length norm is the same. If a specific program uses letter of interest to mean something else, such as a preliminary inquiry, follow that program's stated guidance instead.

When should a letter of interest be shorter or longer?

Keep the letter shorter when you have little new to report, since a sincere half page beats a padded full page. Extend toward a full page when you have a substantial update, such as a finished degree, a strong new grade, or a significant new role. Above all, honor any length or word limit the school provides, even when it differs from the usual one-page norm.

What does the right length signal to admissions?

The right length signals that you can communicate with focus, a quality law schools value. A tight, specific letter of interest shows respect for the committee's time and highlights your strongest point. A long, unfocused letter can bury the very update meant to help you, so spend your space on interest and evidence, not filler.

Frequently asked questions

How long should a LOCI be?

A LOCI, or letter of interest in the admissions sense, should be about a half page to one page, three to five short paragraphs. That length holds a clear top-choice statement and one or two updates without repeating your file. Follow a school's own limit whenever one is given.

What do you say in a letter of continued interest?

Name the school as a top choice, share one or two genuine updates since you applied, and give a specific reason the school fits your goals. Close with a short thank-you. Whether it is called a letter of interest or continued interest, keep it tailored to that one school rather than generic.

Does a LOCI help off a waitlist?

A focused letter of interest can help off a waitlist by confirming genuine interest and showing recent progress, which makes a committee more comfortable admitting you. It cannot outweigh a large gap in LSAT or GPA. Because waitlist admit rates vary widely by school and year, treat the letter as one helpful part of your strategy.

Verified August 2026.