Guide to Writing Letters of Continued Interest

Guide To Writing Letters of Continued Interest

A letter of continued interest (LOCI) is for the purpose of telling a college that you are interested in attending despite being deferred or placed on the waitlist.

The content of a LOCI is supposed to update the college regarding your activities and progress in the time since you submitted your application, and link it to your fit for the specific college. Think of LOCIs as a combination of a statement of progress and a ‘Why This College’ essay. In terms of suggested length, a LOCI should come to about one page on a word processor.

Subject: Letter of Continued Interest in XXXX College

 Introduction:

Keep it simple and brief: talk about how you have taken the college’s decision in your stride but strongly reaffirm your interest in that college. End by saying that this letter is to update the college on your activities and progress since the time you submitted your application.

 Body:

There are two parts to this—(a) your progress on your activities and academics, and (b) the ‘Why This College’ component.

(a) For your progress, go through your activity list and essays and inform them of updates to an of the major activities. If you are beginning a new activity (project, internship, competitive exam, etc.), also update the college of this. Include academic updates as well (such as APs, new SAT/ACT/Subject Test scores and school exams)—include an LOR if you can from your school if you have been deferred.

(b) Once you have an idea of your progress section, find aspects of the college that link to your activities and major interests. If the colleges supplemental essay was a ‘Why This College’ type of essay, try to stick to the same theme without coming across as repetitive.

The two parts mentioned above do not have to be in separate paragraphs; it would be better to combine the updates with relevant aspects of the college. It would be more advisable to keep them on a similar theme for each paragraph

 Suggested structure:

 Paragraph 1: Academic updates

 Paragraph 2: Activity updates

 Paragraph 3: Plans for the summer/gap year

Conclusion:

Use the conclusion to reiterate your interest in being a student of that college. Try to include a line that suggests you want to be a part of the college community (e.g. ‘…as an aspiring Wildcat…’). Thank the admissions office for their time and keep the conclusion direct and concise.

Sample Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI)

Here's a revised sample letter for a mechanical engineering student applying to the University of XYZ:

Dear Admissions Committee,

I hope this letter finds you well. As an aspiring mechanical engineer, I am writing to reaffirm my strong interest in the University of XYZ following my recent deferral. Since my initial application, I have further engaged in activities and projects that enhance my suitability for your esteemed mechanical engineering program.

This semester, I achieved a significant academic milestone by topping my class in Advanced Mechanics. My passion for mechanical systems led me to initiate a project on energy-efficient automotive designs, which I believe resonates with the University of XYZ's innovative approach to engineering education.

Beyond academics, I secured an internship at [Local Engineering Firm], where I am contributing to the design of eco-friendly engines. This experience has given me practical insights into the kind of real-world challenges the University of XYZ's program prepares its students to solve.

The University of XYZ's cutting-edge research facilities and its commitment to fostering practical engineering skills deeply align with my academic and career aspirations. I am particularly excited about the possibility of contributing to projects in the XYZ Engineering Lab, which I see as a perfect platform to apply and expand my knowledge.

Thank you for reconsidering my application. I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to join the University of XYZ and contribute to its dynamic community. The University remains my top choice, and I am eager to bring my passion and skills to your campus.

Warm regards,