How Long Should Letter of Intent Be

A letter of intent for law school should be roughly one page, about three to five paragraphs. Length matches a letter of continued interest, but a letter of intent adds a firm promise to enroll if admitted and goes to just one school. Keep it specific and sincere, and follow any school-stated limit.

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 letter of intent for law school should be roughly one page, which usually means three to five concise paragraphs. That is the same length as a letter of continued interest. What sets a letter of intent apart is its content: a direct statement that you will enroll if the school admits you. Because of that promise, you send a letter of intent to only one school.

How do a letter of intent and a LOCI compare?

The two letters share a length but differ in commitment and audience. The table lays out the contrast.

FeatureLetter of intentLetter of continued interestLengthAbout one pageA half page to one pageCommitmentYou will enroll if admittedStrong interest, no binding promiseHow many schoolsOnly one, your top choiceCan go to several waitlisting schools

Why does a letter of intent stay short?

A letter of intent stays short because its strength is the commitment itself, not the word count. Admissions officers read it as a yield signal, so a clear, credible one-page letter carries more weight than a long one. Reserve the space for your promise to enroll, a specific reason the school fits, and one genuine update since you applied.

When should you send a letter of intent instead of a LOCI?

Send a letter of intent only when a single school is truly your first choice and you would attend without hesitation if admitted. If you are still weighing multiple schools, send letters of continued interest instead, which do not promise enrollment. Sending a letter of intent to more than one school is dishonest and can backfire if it comes to light.

Frequently asked questions

How long should a LOCI be?

A letter of continued interest runs about a half page to one page. A letter of intent is the same rough length but commits you to enroll if admitted and is sent to only one school. Whichever you write, keep it to three to five focused paragraphs and follow any school limit.

What do you say in a letter of continued interest?

You confirm the school is a top choice and add one or two real updates since applying. A letter of intent says more, that you will attend if admitted, so use it only for your single top school. In both, be specific about fit and keep the tone genuine rather than generic.

Does a LOCI help off a waitlist?

A letter of continued interest can improve your waitlist odds by showing genuine, ongoing interest, and a letter of intent sends the strongest enrollment signal to one school. Neither replaces strong numbers. Waitlist admit rates vary widely by school and year, so send the letter that honestly matches your plans.

Verified August 2026.