How to Write Letter of Continued Interest

Write a letter of continued interest by leading with a sincere top-choice statement, then proving it with concrete updates since you applied, grades, work, or awards, and a specific reason the school fits you. Keep it to one page and end with a brief thank-you. Lovare helps you shape each waitlist letter.

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 do you write a letter of continued interest?

A letter of continued interest works when every line earns its place. Lead with a sincere statement that the school is a top choice, then back it with evidence. The core of the letter is proof of continued momentum, so build the message around your strongest genuine update rather than around praise for the school.

What is a simple structure to follow?

Use a short, four-part structure so the letter stays focused.

1. State that the school is a top choice, briefly and sincerely.
2. Present your best update since applying, with a specific, concrete detail.
3. Explain how that update and your goals connect to this school in particular.
4. Close with thanks and, if true, a note that you would enroll if admitted.

What belongs on a LOCI checklist?

Before sending, run your letter against a quick checklist.

• One page or less, three to five paragraphs.
• At least one real update the committee has not seen.
• A specific school detail, such as a clinic, journal, or program.
• A sincere, non-generic top-choice statement.
• Correct school name and no text left over from another letter.

What are the do and do-not rules for a LOCI?

Do keep the letter short, specific, and honest, and do follow the school's stated contact rules. Do not send the same generic paragraph to multiple schools, do not simply restate your application, and do not claim a school is your top choice unless you mean it. A LOCI that is tailored and truthful is the version that helps.

Frequently asked questions

How long should a LOCI be?

Aim for one page or less, about three to five short paragraphs. That is enough space for a top-choice statement, a real update, and a specific reason the school fits you. If the waitlist instructions set their own length or word limit, follow that instead of the general one-page rule.

What do you say in a letter of continued interest?

Lead with a sincere statement that the school is a top choice, then give one or two concrete updates since applying and a specific reason the school suits your goals. Add that you would enroll if admitted only if it is true. Keep the whole letter tailored to that single school.

Does a LOCI help off a waitlist?

A tailored letter of continued interest can help off a waitlist by confirming genuine interest and showing you have kept progressing, which makes a committee more confident about admitting you. It will not fix weak numbers, and waitlist admit rates vary widely by school and year, so use it as one part of a broader plan.

Verified August 2026.