Sample Letter of Continued Interest: Templates, Tips And Correct Usage For Every Common Case

Opening your admissions or hiring update and seeing ‘waitlisted’ or ‘deferred’ can stop your breath. You didn’t get a no, but you also didn’t get the yes you worked for. This is exactly when a well-written Sample Letter of Continued Interest becomes one of your most powerful tools.

Too many applicants send generic notes that get ignored. This guide will break down exactly what this letter does, when to send it, and give you ready-to-adapt examples for every common situation. You will also learn the mistakes that get letters deleted unread.

What Is A Sample Letter Of Continued Interest, And Why Does It Matter?

A letter of continued interest (often shortened to LOCI) is a formal, polite message you send after receiving a deferral or waitlist decision. It confirms you still want a spot, shares new positive updates, and reinforces why you are a strong fit. This letter can move you from the waitlist to an acceptance: 30% of waitlisted applicants who send a strong LOCI receive an offer at most mid-sized schools.

Before you draft anything, confirm these basic ground rules:

Every effective LOCI includes these core elements, in this order:

• Clear subject line with your full name and application ID
• Gratitude for the original consideration, no frustration
• 1-2 specific new achievements since you applied
• Clear statement that this opportunity is still your top choice
• Polite closing and updated contact details

Sample Letter of Continued Interest For College Waitlist

Subject: Mia Carter - Application ID 91742 - Fall 2025 Waitlist Update

Dear University of Michigan Admissions Committee,

Thank you sincerely for reviewing my application and offering me a spot on the incoming class waitlist. I deeply appreciate the time your team invested evaluating my materials.

UMich remains my absolute top choice. Since applying, I placed 2nd in the state environmental science Olympiad and began a weekly volunteer position at our local watershed protection group. If accepted, I will enroll immediately.

Please let me know if I can provide any additional information. Thank you again for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Mia Carter

Sample Letter of Continued Interest For Deferred Early Action

Subject: Javi Ruiz - Application ID 38201 - Deferral Update

Dear Boston College Admissions Team,

Thank you for reviewing my early action application. I respect your decision to defer my file for regular decision review, and I remain fully committed to Boston College.

Since submitting my application, I earned a perfect score on my AP Calculus BC exam and was named captain of the varsity cross country team. I am still 100% committed to enrolling if accepted this spring.

Please let me know if any additional materials would be helpful. Thank you for your time.

Best regards,
Javi Ruiz

Sample Letter of Continued Interest For Grad School Application

Subject: Lena Marquez - Clinical Psychology Masters Program Waitlist

Dear Graduate Admissions Committee,

Thank you for offering me a waitlist position for the Fall 2025 Clinical Psychology masters cohort. I greatly value this opportunity.

Since applying, I completed my undergraduate thesis on adolescent anxiety and accepted a 10 hour weekly research position in the campus behavioral health lab. This program remains my first choice, and I will enroll immediately if offered a spot.

Thank you again for your consideration.

Respectfully,
Lena Marquez

Sample Letter of Continued Interest For Job Waitlist

Subject: Follow Up: Junior Marketing Role - Noah Kim

Dear Ms. Henderson,

Thank you for updating me that you have placed me on the candidate shortlist for the junior marketing role. I remain very excited about this position at Brightside Creative.

Since our interview last week, I completed the Google Analytics 4 certification I mentioned during our discussion. I am available at your convenience for any additional conversations.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Best,
Noah Kim

Sample Letter of Continued Interest After Interview

Subject: Follow Up: Pre-Law Internship - Zoe Reed

Dear Attorney Campbell,

Thank you again for taking the time to interview me last Tuesday for the summer pre-law internship. I greatly enjoyed our conversation about juvenile justice policy.

This internship remains my top priority for this summer. I have attached a one page writing sample from my recent constitutional law course that we discussed during our meeting.

Please let me know if you need any other materials. Thank you again.

Regards,
Zoe Reed

Sample Letter of Continued Interest For Law School Waitlist

Subject: Waitlist Update: Tyler Brooks - Application ID 76192

Dear UCLA Law Admissions Committee,

Thank you for reviewing my application and offering me a position on the 2025 waitlist. UCLA Law remains my unequivocal first choice for law school.

Since submitting my application, I finished my undergraduate semester with a 4.0 GPA and published an op-ed on housing policy in the campus law review. If accepted, I will enroll without hesitation.

Thank you for your continued consideration.

Sincerely,
Tyler Brooks

Sample Letter of Continued Interest With New Test Scores

Subject: Updated GRE Scores: Amara Patel - Application ID 52817

Dear Public Health Admissions Team,

Thank you for reviewing my masters program application and offering me a waitlist position. This program remains my top choice.

I retook the GRE last week, and earned a new combined score of 327, 11 points higher than the score included with my original application. I have already requested official scores be sent to your office.

Please let me know if any other updates would be helpful. Thank you.

Best regards,
Amara Patel

Frequently Asked Questions about Sample Letter of Continued Interest

When should I send a letter of continued interest?

Send your LOCI within 3-7 business days of receiving your waitlist or deferral notice. Do not send it earlier than 48 hours after the decision is released.

How long should a letter of continued interest be?

An ideal LOCI is 300-400 words, or about one single-spaced page. Never write more than one page. Admissions officers read hundreds of these weekly.

Can I send more than one letter of continued interest?

You may send one follow-up update 4-6 weeks after your first letter, only if you have significant new achievements. Never send more than two total letters.

Should I attach my letter as a PDF?

Send your LOCI directly in the body of an email, not as an attachment. Most admissions teams will not open attached files from applicants.

Do all waitlisted applicants need to send one?

Yes, unless the school explicitly tells applicants not to send updates. Schools prioritize waitlisted candidates who confirm they still want to attend.

What should I never include in a LOCI?

Never complain about your decision, beg, or list generic praise for the school. Do not repeat information already in your original application.

Who do I address the letter to?

Address your letter to the entire admissions committee, or the specific admissions officer assigned to your region. Avoid generic greetings like "To Whom It May Concern".

Will a LOCI guarantee me acceptance?

No letter guarantees acceptance, but it dramatically improves your odds. Most schools will not accept a waitlisted student who never confirms their interest.

Every sample letter of continued interest shared here follows the guidelines that admissions officers and hiring managers actually want to see. This is not about begging for a spot, it is about clearly, politely demonstrating that you are the right candidate who is still ready to commit. Small, thoughtful details will make your letter stand out from every other generic note in the inbox.

Pick the template that matches your situation, swap out the details for your own achievements, and send it within the correct window. Even if you do not get the final acceptance, you will walk away knowing you advocated for yourself properly and professionally.