A few years ago, a parent called me in a panic:
"Andrew is absolutely devastated after being deferred from Columbia. What do we do now?"
I understood her worry. Getting deferred from your dream school can feel devastating. You worked for months on applications and spent nights imagining yourself walking around lush green campuses and hanging out in the student center. You were supposed to be done. Now you have to wait, stuck in limbo, wondering if you still have a chance.
Andrew felt the same way. But after writing a strong LOCI and executing a strategic plan, he was eventually admitted to Columbia.
You’re not alone in this experience. As early applications have grown, so has the number of students being deferred from college. Every year, colleges defer 70-80% of early decision and early action applicants. Make sure you check out the post Deferred from College? Here’s What to Do Next (2025-2026 Guide) for how to respond strategically to increase your chances, including more guidance on how to write a LOCI.
This post gets tactical. We’ll walk step-by-step through how to write a LOCI—one of the most powerful tools you have to tip the scales in your favor. A well-crafted Letter of Continued Interest can genuinely add value to your application, make you a stronger candidate, and most importantly, ensure you’re still in the running. But this is only true if it’s strategic, specific, and timely. Keep reading to learn exactly how to write a strong LOCI that works.
Table of Contents
What Is a LOCI?
A Letter of Continued Interest is a brief update sent to a college after you’ve been deferred. It serves three purposes:
- Reaffirm your genuine interest in attending (especially important if you applied Early Decision or Early Action)
- Share meaningful updates that strengthen your application
- Demonstrate fit by connecting your goals to specific programs, resources, or opportunities at the school
Think of it as a focused supplement, not a repeat of your original application, and definitely not a desperate plea. The best LOCIs are calm, confident, and strategic.
Do LOCIs Actually Help?
Yes—when done right.
Admissions officers have confirmed that strong LOCIs can make a difference, particularly when:
The update genuinely strengthens your academic or extracurricular profile
This means you share only new updates since submitting your application, such as improved test scores, new awards, expanded leadership roles, research opportunities, or major-aligned experiences. If nothing significant has changed, that’s okay. Focus on demonstrating fit rather than forcing weak updates.
You demonstrate deep knowledge of the school beyond surface-level research
Most students will gather information from the usual sources—Reddit or other online community boards, Google, and the school website. You’ll want to consider places where you can get helpful insights that only those closest to the source would know: current students, alumni, or faculty.
That’s why I recommend students visit LinkedIn and reach out to people affiliated with the university for an informational interview. This insight can be incredibly helpful and, in some cases, has led to someone on campus advocating for you in an ethically appropriate way.
You clarify why you're a strong fit for their specific community
Are you studying something different? Are you accomplished in a field? Is there a need on campus, in a club, or in a sport where you could contribute? You’ll share this in your LOCI, but of course, you’ll have a stronger application if it can be verified by a trusted advocate, such as your school counselor.
The bottom line: A poorly written LOCI can do more harm than good. Generic statements like “I love your campus” or repeating information already in your application won’t move the needle. What matters is showing, not just telling, why this school is the right match for you.
When Should You Send a LOCI?
Timing is critical when writing a LOCI after a deferral. Ideally, send your Letter of Continued Interest within 1–2 weeks of receiving your deferral decision. This shows you’re proactive and genuinely engaged—not just scrambling at the last minute. Though some schools give a specific deadline that you can follow, schools start reading Regular Decision applications as early as February, so you’ll want to get your LOCI in by then.
Check the college’s website or deferral letter for specific instructions on how to submit a LOCI. Some schools provide a portal for updates, while others prefer email. Always follow their guidelines exactly.
If the school explicitly says not to send additional materials, respect that. In those cases, focus your energy on other parts of your deferral application strategy instead.
Download our College Deferral Defense Guide for a complete timeline and checklist of what to do after a deferral.
What to Include in a LOCI
A strong LOCI is short (200–300 words), specific, and strategic. Here’s what to include in a LOCI to make it effective:
Reaffirm Your Interest
Start by thanking the admissions committee and clearly stating that this school remains your top choice. Be genuine but not desperate. Do not use this space to complain or express dissatisfaction with not being admitted early.
Share Meaningful Updates
Only include updates that genuinely strengthen your application. Focus on:
- Academic achievements: New grades, test scores (especially if you initially applied test-optional), advanced coursework
- Awards or recognition: Recent honors, competitions, publications
- Leadership roles: Expanded responsibilities in existing activities
- Impact: Measurable outcomes from your work
- Major-aligned experiences: Research, projects, or coursework that connect to your intended field
What not to include: Vague statements about working hard, minor activities that don’t add substance, emotional appeals, or information already shared in your initial application.
Demonstrate Specific Fit
This is where most LOCIs fall short. Don’t just say you love the school—prove you understand what makes it unique and why you belong there.
Reference specific resources:
- Academic programs or centers
- Research labs or faculty members
- Student organizations or initiatives
- Unique aspects of the curriculum
Draw from actual research, conversations with current students, or insights from a campus visit. The more specific you are, the more credible you become.
Close with Gratitude
End graciously. Thank them for reconsidering your application and express genuine hope for the opportunity to join their community.
How Long Should a LOCI Be?
Keep it brief: 200–300 words maximum.
Admissions officers are reading thousands of applications. Respect their time by being concise and strategic. Every sentence should add value—if it doesn’t strengthen your case, cut it.
Strong LOCI Example (That Worked)
Here’s a strong LOCI example to guide your own letter:
Dear Brown University Admissions Committee,
Thank you for reviewing my application during the Early Decision process. Although I was deferred, I want to reaffirm that Brown remains my top choice, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be reconsidered during Regular Decision. Brown’s culture of interdisciplinary exploration and intellectual openness through the Open Curriculum is exactly the environment in which I hope to grow.
Since applying, I have maintained strong academic performance, earning straight A’s in all courses. I also completed two new online classes—one on climate and energy systems and another on computational problem-solving—which deepened my interest in the intersection of technology and sustainability. This reinforced my desire to pursue these fields through Brown’s flexibility to design my own academic path across engineering, environmental studies, and policy.
Outside the classroom, I expanded our school’s Mahjong Club by organizing a Lunar New Year event that introduced dozens of students to the game and its cultural significance. I’ve also continued cooking, a hobby that helps me reset during stressful periods and stay connected to my heritage.
A Brown initiative that particularly excites me is the Brown Design Workshop. The opportunity to collaborate across disciplines on hands-on, human-centered projects reflects the kind of creative problem-solving I hope to engage in during college. Learning about BDW reaffirmed that Brown is the community where I see myself learning, contributing, and growing.
Thank you again for your time and consideration. I remain deeply committed to Brown and hopeful for the chance to join the Class of 2029.
Warmly,
Ryan
Ryan was deferred from Brown and later admitted from the waitlist. His LOCI after deferral worked because it was specific, substantive, and demonstrated genuine fit—not just interest.
He sent a thoughtful, strategic LOCI highlighting new coursework, meaningful extracurricular impact, and a deep understanding of specific Brown programs like the Brown Design Workshop. His counselor also reinforced his interest in their mid-year report, and a professor he’d connected with during a summer program a year earlier wrote an additional letter of recommendation.
Ryan’s success shows that a LOCI is most effective when it’s part of a larger deferral strategy. Learn more about building a comprehensive post-deferral plan or book a Strategy Meeting to create your personalized approach.
Common LOCI Mistakes to Avoid
Even well-intentioned students make these mistakes:
❌ Being Too Generic
“I love your beautiful campus and school spirit” tells admissions officers nothing about why you actually belong there.
❌ Repeating Your Application
Don’t rehash activities or achievements already in your file unless there’s a significant new development.
❌ Including Weak Updates
Joining a new club last week or shadowing someone for a day won’t strengthen your application. Only share updates with real substance.
❌ Writing Too Much
A 500-word essay won’t be read carefully. Keep it tight and focused.
❌ Sounding Desperate
Confidence matters. Express genuine interest without begging or over-explaining.
❌ Ignoring School-Specific Guidelines
Always check if the college has specific instructions for submitting updates. Ignoring their process can backfire.
Real Examples: LOCIs That Worked
Megan → Tulane
Megan applied test-optional and was deferred. She retook the SAT, earned a 1500, and reported her new score. In her LOCI after deferral, she tied that achievement to Tulane’s interdisciplinary academic rigor and explained how her improved score reflected her readiness for that level of challenge. She was admitted during Regular Decision.
Ryan → Brown
Ryan’s LOCI (shown above) demonstrates how strategic updates combined with deep school knowledge can make the difference. His success came from coordinating multiple elements: a strong LOCI, counselor advocacy, and an additional recommendation from a professor he’d built a relationship with during a previous summer program.
What Else Should You Do After a Deferral?
A LOCI is important, but it’s just one piece of your post-deferral strategy. You should also:
Update your counselor so they can advocate for you in their mid-year report. Even better, encourage your counselor to call the admissions office directly. A phone call from a trusted counselor expressing genuine surprise that you weren’t admitted—and confidently stating you’re among their strongest Regular Decision candidates—can carry significant weight.
Maintain strong grades in your senior year courses. Colleges will see your mid-year report, and a dip in performance can hurt your chances.
Consider retaking standardized tests if your scores don’t reflect your abilities, especially if you applied test-optional initially.
Apply strategically to other schools to ensure you have strong options. Don’t put all your energy into one deferred school at the expense of building a balanced college list.
Read our complete guide: Deferred From College? Here’s What to Do Next for a step-by-step action plan.
Need Help Crafting Your LOCI?
Writing a strategic LOCI can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re already stressed about the deferral itself. If you want personalized guidance on what updates to include, how to demonstrate fit, and how to position yourself for Regular Decision, I’m here to help.
Book a 1-Hour Deferral Strategy Meeting, and we’ll create a clear, confident plan together. No pressure, no sales pitch—just strategic support when you need it most.
You’ve worked incredibly hard to get here. A deferral doesn’t mean no—it means not yet. With the right strategy, you can turn this setback into an opportunity to strengthen your case and show the admissions committee exactly why you belong.
Download the College Deferral Defense Guide to get started today.
