How to write a Waitlist Letter of Continued Interest
If you’re on a waitlist for a college, I’m guessing you have a few questions running through your mind:
What does this waitlist mean about me and my application?
What are my odds of getting in, now that I’m on the waitlist?
How can I maximize my chances of getting admitted?
Waitlists can feel a little uncomfortable: you might be proud of yourself for this accomplishment, but also anxious to find out whether you’ll end up getting admitted to the university after all. The #1 most important step you can take, once you’ve found out you’re on a waitlist, is to write a letter of continued interest. Generally, these should be addressed to your school’s admissions contact. You can talk to your school’s college counselor to find out who that is. You can mail a physical letter, but email also gets the job done.
Letters of continued interest should have two parts. First, you’ll want to reaffirm your interest in the university, and then, you’ll want to give them new information about what you’ve been up to since you submitted your application. These two components are the magic sauce: you want to express how excited you are about the school, and then get them excited about having you there.
Not sure what to include in your letter? See the below lists for what you might include for each of the two components of the letter of continued interest.
To reaffirm your interest in the university:
A reflection on why that university remains a good fit for you: unique or special extracurriculars that excite you at the university; professors and research opportunities that pique your interest; overall reflection on “fit,” e.g., how the school’s personality, values & mission match what you want in a university
Any recent campus visits (e.g., for a tour, for a model UN conference, visiting a sibling)
If it is true, a statement that this university is your top choice and you would enthusiastically accept the offer if admitted
To give new information on what you’ve been up to in the time since you applied:
Any recent awards or achievements, including school awards, extracurricular awards, athletic competitions, published articles, or creative writing
Extracurricular updates, including new extracurriculars, leadership positions, projects you’ve taken on, research updates, new jobs or internships
Personal updates, although keep them short, positive, and mature, e.g., taking on a new family responsibility
Now for a shameless self-promo: I’ve written a guide for writing the letter of continued interest and getting off the waitlist, including two sample LOCIs not published anywhere else. In my six years as a college consultant, I’ve helped my clients navigate the waitlist process and — in many cases — gain admission. Now I’m passing everything I’ve learned onto you: my guide is the one-stop-shop for everything you need to know to maximize your chances of getting off the waitlist.
In my 13-page Waitlist Guide packed with information, you’ll receive:
A comprehensive overview of the waitlist process: how it works and everything you can do to maximize your chances
The unwritten rules of the Waitlist Letter of Continued Interest
Two sample Letters of Continued Interest with comments on why they were successful
Myth-busting common misconceptions about the waitlist
Check it out here!