How to Write a Letter of Continued Interest

To write a letter of continued interest, open by reaffirming the school is a top choice, then share concrete updates since you applied, such as grades, work, or awards. Reiterate why the school fits your goals and close briefly. Keep it to about one page, specific and sincere. Lovare guides your waitlist strategy end to end.

By Ali Unar, Founder, Lovare Institut; JD/MSFS Candidate, Georgetown University. Last updated August 2026. Every figure on this page was verified in August 2026 against the sources listed below.

How do you write a letter of continued interest, step by step?

Writing a strong LOCI follows a clear sequence. Work through these steps in order.

1. Open by thanking the committee and stating plainly that the school is a top choice.
2. Share one or two concrete updates since you applied, such as new grades, a job, or an award.
3. Connect your goals to specific programs, clinics, or faculty at the school.
4. Reaffirm your interest and, if true, that you would enroll if admitted.
5. Close briefly with thanks, and keep the whole letter to about one page.

What does a letter of continued interest template look like?

A simple LOCI template moves from interest to update to fit to close. Use this shape and fill it with your specifics.

• Paragraph 1: thank the committee and name the school as a top choice.
• Paragraph 2: give your strongest update since applying, with a concrete detail.
• Paragraph 3: tie that update and your goals to what the school offers.
• Paragraph 4: restate interest, note you would enroll if admitted when true, and thank them.

What mistakes should you avoid in a LOCI?

The most common LOCI mistakes weaken an otherwise good letter.

• Sending a generic letter that could go to any school.
• Repeating your application instead of adding something new.
• Running past one page or burying the update in filler.
• Claiming the school is your top choice in a way that is not sincere.

What should you do after sending a LOCI?

After sending a LOCI, follow the school's stated preferences on further contact and avoid flooding the office with messages. If weeks pass and you have a genuine new development, one brief follow-up update is usually acceptable. Keep records of what you sent and when, and stay patient, since waitlist decisions often come late in the cycle.

Frequently asked questions

How long should a LOCI be?

Keep a letter of continued interest to about one page, or three to five short paragraphs. That length holds a clear top-choice statement, one or two updates, and a brief close. If the school's waitlist instructions give a length or word limit, follow that exactly rather than the general guideline.

What do you say in a letter of continued interest?

Say the school is a top choice, give one or two genuine updates since applying, and explain specifically why the school fits your goals. If it is true, add that you would enroll if admitted. Close with thanks. Keep every sentence tailored to that school and free of generic praise.

Does a LOCI help off a waitlist?

A well-written letter of continued interest can help off a waitlist by showing genuine interest and recent progress, which reassures the committee you would enroll. It cannot overcome a large gap in LSAT or GPA. Because waitlist admit rates vary widely by school and year, treat the LOCI as one part of your strategy.

Verified August 2026.