Receiving the news that you have been deferred in the early application round can be a disappointing blow—while applicants hope that the mid-December decision will end the grueling anticipation of the admissions season, a deferral only prolongs the wait for a final decision. Though it is not the decision you hoped for, it is important to remember that a deferral is not a rejection. In the last admissions cycle, approximately 83% of those who applied to Harvard early were deferred. At Dartmouth, 5–10% of deferred Early Decision applicants are typically accepted. In other words, this isn’t the end of the line for your Ivy League dreams—a deferral simply means that the admissions committee wants to evaluate your application against the Regular Decision applicant pool.
If the idea of waiting another three months for an admissions decision sounds excruciating, know that there is still one last step you can take to catch admissions officers’ eyes: write a letter of continued interest.
What is a Letter of Continued Interest?
A Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI) is just what it sounds like—it is a brief note sent to the admissions committee expressing your continued interest in attending the university should you be accepted. This letter allows you to provide significant updates, reinforce your fit for the university, and express gratitude for the admissions committee’s continued consideration. Most importantly, it is your final opportunity to share your voice with the admissions committee in a dynamic and compelling way. While this may sound simple, many applicants make common missteps, using this critical piece of communication to rehash old information or pleading their case to the point of conveying desperation.
When should I write a Letter of Continued Interest?
If you are deferred in the early round of applications or waitlisted during the regular decision round, writing a Letter of Continued Interest is a strategic move. In either case, you should be prompt in composing your letter—aim to write and send your letter within a few weeks of receiving your notice of deferral.
If you are considering writing a Letter of Continued Interest, here are three common mistakes to avoid, along with guidance on how to write an impactful LOCI that could tip the scales in your favor:
Mistake #1: Begging or Complaining
Students who aspire to attend top schools work tirelessly in and out of the classroom to present a compelling application filled with top grades and impressive accolades. It is therefore understandable to feel frustrated, confused, and upset when your efforts don’t yield an early acceptance—but do not allow this frustration to seep into your letter. A LOCI filled with emotional pleas or frustration—statements like “Harvard is my only dream” or “I feel devastated by this deferral”—will not leave a positive impression, but instead convey thanklessness and petulance.
Instead, approach your LOCI with gratitude and poise. Open by thanking the admissions committee for considering your application and reaffirming your enthusiasm for the institution. Acknowledge the competitive nature of the process while expressing optimism about contributing to the university’s community. Admissions officers want to see maturity, resilience, and positivity—traits that will render you a positive addition to their campus—so use your letter to showcase these qualities.
Mistake #2: Relitigating your Application
It may be tempting to restate all of the reasons why you’re an exceptional candidate, but a LOCI isn’t the place to reiterate what admissions officers already know. The admissions committee has already read and reviewed all of your application materials, including your essays, letters of recommendation, and transcript. What the LOCI should offer them is new information.
Therefore, you should use the LOCI to provide substantive updates about what you’ve accomplished since submitting your application. Perhaps you’ve won an award, taken on a leadership role, or completed a significant project. Highlight these achievements concisely and explain how they reflect your growth. For instance, if you’ve expanded your passion project and earned an award for the impact it made on your community, highlight what you accomplished and how you developed as a leader as a result. Avoid the impulse to include every miniscule accomplishment you have made in the last two months—quality is more important than quantity when it comes to the letter. Only include information that is relevant to the assessment of your candidacy.
Mistake #3: Sending More than One Letter
Many students mistakenly believe that the more they follow up, the more likely the admissions officers are to notice them and appreciate their commitment to the school—however, this could not be further from the truth. Admissions officers are inundated with materials from students across the globe, and continuing to send them mail will convey a lack of consideration for their time, rather than an earnest interest in their school. As Yale’s admissions blog notes: “We do not recommend that you send the admissions office piles of updates after a deferral. You should not try to re-do any parts of your application. You should not inundate your admissions officer with weekly emails and cards. More often than not it is the required pieces of the applications, like the essays and teacher recommendations that we already have, that make a student stand out for us.”
Instead of sending multiple unsolicited letters, focus on crafting one polished, impactful LOCI. Include all relevant updates and ensure your letter is professional, concise, and respectful of the committee’s time—then, demonstrate your maturity by doing the hard work of waiting.
Finally, before you send your letter, make sure to meticulously proofread it for spelling and grammar errors—you don’t want to undercut its effectiveness because of preventable mistakes. While a letter of continued interest in no way guarantees you a spot at a top university, it can be a helpful way to convey your enthusiasm, showcase your personality and values, and provide updates about your accomplishments to admissions officers before they make a final decision about your candidacy. At the same time, by putting effort, creativity, and genuine excitement into your letter, you might boost your odds of acceptance to your dream school.
Originally Published on Forbes.
