Every January through March, my inbox floods with panicked messages from parents whose students just got deferred or waitlisted. "Should my daughter write a letter?" "What should he say?" "Can you look at this draft?"
Here's what I tell them: A Letter of Continued Interest can absolutely make the difference, but only if you avoid the fatal mistakes that sink most of them. After reviewing thousands of loci examples over 18 years in college admissions, I can spot a weak letter in the first paragraph. More importantly, I know exactly what strong loci examples look like, and I'm going to show you both.
The truth is, most students approach their letter of continued interest the same way they approached their initial application, repeating the same information, using the same generic language, and wondering why it doesn't move the needle. Real loci examples that work look completely different.
Why Most Letters of Continued Interest Fail
Before we dive into specific loci examples, you need to understand what admissions officers are actually looking for when they read these letters. According to NACAC research, demonstrated interest remains a significant factor at many selective institutions, but your letter needs to do more than just say "I'm still interested."
I've worked with students targeting schools from state flagships to the Ivy League, and the standards for effective loci examples remain consistent across institution types. Your student's letter needs to accomplish three specific things:
- Provide meaningful updates that weren't in the original application
- Demonstrate specific, authentic connection to the institution
- Show continued growth and achievement since submitting the application
When these elements are missing, even well-written loci examples fall flat. Let me show you exactly what I mean.
Mistake #1: The Generic, Cookie-Cutter Approach
This is the most common mistake I see, and it kills your chances faster than any other error. Students write loci examples that could be sent to any school with just a name change. Let me show you what this looks like in practice.
WEAK LOCI Example (Generic)
Dear Admissions Committee,
I am writing to express my continued interest in attending your university. Since submitting my application, I have maintained my strong academic performance and continue to be involved in my extracurricular activities. Your university has always been my top choice because of its excellent academics and vibrant campus community. I would be honored to attend and contribute to your campus. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Generic Student
This loci example fails on every level. There's nothing specific to the university, no real updates, and no authentic voice. I see variations of this letter dozens of times each season, sent to schools ranging from UVA to Yale, and they all say essentially nothing.
Compare that to this approach:
STRONG LOCI Example (Princeton, Private Ivy)
Dear Princeton Admissions Committee,
Since submitting my application in November, my interest in Princeton's unique approach to undergraduate research has only deepened. I've been following Professor Yiching Fong's work in computational linguistics through her recent publications, and I'm particularly drawn to how Princeton's certificate programs allow students to combine computer science with linguistics in ways unavailable elsewhere.
Two developments since my application strengthen my preparation for this interdisciplinary work. First, I expanded my independent research on dialect recognition algorithms, presenting findings at the regional linguistics conference in February where my methodology received recognition from university researchers. Second, I've begun auditing online lectures from Princeton's COS 126 to familiarize myself with your CS department's teaching approach, and the emphasis on theoretical foundations aligns perfectly with how I learn best.
I've also connected with Princeton sophomore Maya Chen through the admitted student network, and her description of working with Professor Karthik Narasimhan's NLP lab while still finding time for Triangle Club performances confirmed that Princeton's culture matches my own belief that rigorous academics and creative expression aren't mutually exclusive pursuits.
Princeton remains my clear first choice, and I'm prepared to commit immediately upon acceptance.
Sincerely,
[Student Name]
This is what effective loci examples look like. Notice the specific professors, programs, courses, and even student connections. This couldn't be sent to any other school. These kinds of details transform weak loci examples into compelling cases for admission.
Mistake #2: Repeating Your Application Content
I cannot stress this enough: your letter of continued interest is not a summary of your application. Admissions officers have already read your file. When students send loci examples that rehash their original essays, activities list, and transcript, they waste everyone's time and signal they don't understand the purpose of this communication.
Think about it from the admissions officer's perspective. They've deferred or waitlisted your student, which means they saw potential but needed to see more applicants before making a final decision. Effective loci examples provide that "more," not a reminder of what they already know.
Here's what NOT to do:
WEAK LOCI Example (Repetitive Content)
Dear University of Michigan,
I want to remind you that I have maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout high school and scored 1520 on the SAT. As I mentioned in my application, I am captain of the debate team and president of Model UN. I wrote my Common App essay about how debate taught me to see multiple perspectives, which I believe makes me a strong candidate for your campus.
I remain very interested in attending Michigan and hope you will reconsider my application.
This student just rewrote their application stats. Compare this to a letter that provides actual updates:
STRONG LOCI Example (University of Michigan, Public)
Dear University of Michigan Admissions,
Since applying in October, three significant developments have strengthened my readiness for Michigan's Ross School of Business preferred admission program.
Most substantially, I launched a student-run financial literacy nonprofit that has now served 200+ underclassmen at three local high schools. This initiative grew from a small tutoring program I mentioned in my application into a structured curriculum with volunteer instructors, and it taught me the operational challenges I'm eager to explore through Ross's MAP seminar. The experience of scaling from idea to implementation gave me practical questions about organizational structure that I'm specifically hoping to examine through Professor Jeffrey Sanchez-Burks's research on team dynamics.
Second, I earned a national semifinalist designation in the DECA Financial Consulting competition, which wasn't possible when I submitted my application in October. The case involved helping a Detroit-based manufacturing company optimize supply chain logistics, and working on a Michigan business challenge made me appreciate Ross's Michigan Ross Consulting Club's focus on local economic development.
Finally, I attended Michigan's virtual information session on BBA career paths in January and connected with current sophomore James Rodriguez about his dual degree in business and LSA economics. His description of how Michigan's flexible curriculum allowed him to take graduate-level game theory courses as a sophomore confirmed this is the right environment for someone who wants to push beyond standard undergraduate boundaries.
Michigan remains my top choice, and I would commit immediately if offered admission from the waitlist.
See the difference? Strong loci examples focus exclusively on new information, specific programs, and genuine engagement with the university's offerings. This is particularly important for competitive public universities like Michigan, where demonstrated interest helps distinguish between qualified candidates.
Mistake #3: Failing to Show Genuine Connection
Generic statements about "excellent academics" and "beautiful campus" appear in weak loci examples constantly. These phrases mean nothing because they apply to hundreds of schools. When I review loci examples from students, I'm looking for evidence they've done deep research into what makes this specific institution unique.
This becomes especially critical for private universities and Ivys where fit matters tremendously. Let me show you loci examples that demonstrate real connection versus surface-level interest.
WEAK LOCI Example (Superficial Connection)
Dear Stanford Admissions,
I am still very interested in Stanford because of your strong engineering program and beautiful California campus. Stanford's reputation as a top school has always impressed me, and I know the education there would prepare me well for my career. The collaborative environment and innovative spirit at Stanford align with my goals.
This could describe Stanford, MIT, Caltech, or a dozen other schools. Now look at this approach:
STRONG LOCI Example (Northwestern, Private)
Dear Northwestern University Admissions,
Northwestern's quarter system initially concerned me when I first researched the school, but after speaking with three current students and auditing syllabi from several courses, I've come to see it as the ideal structure for how I want to learn. The ability to take 12 different courses per year instead of 8 means I could pursue my interest in materials science engineering while also taking journalism courses through Medill, something I couldn't do at schools with traditional semesters.
Since submitting my application, I've been following Professor Jiaxing Huang's work on graphene applications in energy storage, and his lab's recent publication on scalable production methods directly relates to the independent research I completed this winter on sustainable battery alternatives. More significantly, I learned that Northwestern's ISEN program allows engineers to pursue business certificates through Kellogg, which addresses my specific goal of eventually working in clean energy entrepreneurship rather than pure research.
I've also spent considerable time understanding Northwestern's culture through its student publications. Reading The Daily Northwestern's coverage of sustainability initiatives on campus and listening to several episodes of student-run podcasts gave me concrete insight into how students there engage with both academic rigor and social impact, which mirrors my own values.
Three current students I connected with through your alumni network, all from different majors, independently mentioned Northwestern's collaborative rather than competitive culture in engineering. Given my learning style and the way I've always approached team projects, this distinction matters tremendously to me.
Northwestern is my first choice, and I'm committed to accepting an offer of admission.
This student has clearly done extensive research. The references to specific programs (ISEN, Kellogg certificates), the quarter system, particular professors, and even student media demonstrate authentic engagement. These are the kinds of specific details that transform ordinary loci examples into compelling arguments for admission.
Mistake #4: Missing Critical Updates
The period between when your student applied and when they're writing this letter represents months of their senior year. If nothing has changed, if there are no updates worth mentioning, then frankly you probably shouldn't send a letter at all. The strongest loci examples always include substantive developments.
What counts as a meaningful update? Awards, significant research completion, leadership achievements, new competitions, standardized test improvements (if the school accepts them), or major projects that weren't finished at application time. What doesn't count? Maintaining grades (that's expected), continuing existing activities (already on the application), or vague statements about personal growth.
Here's an example showing what meaningful updates look like:
STRONG LOCI Example (Columbia, Private Ivy)
Dear Columbia University Admissions,
Since submitting my application in November, two significant achievements have strengthened my application to Columbia College.
First, I completed and published my independent research on urban food deserts in partnership with NYU's Furman Center, work I had only begun when I applied. The study analyzed food accessibility in northern Manhattan neighborhoods, including Morningside Heights where Columbia is located, and the findings were cited in a City Council report on zoning policy. This research deepened my commitment to studying urban policy at Columbia specifically, as the university's location and programs like the Urban Studies Program provide direct access to the communities I want to serve.
Second, I was selected as one of 50 students nationally for the Civic Education Research Fellowship, which wasn't announced until December. This fellowship connects directly to my interest in Professor Jeffrey Henig's work on education policy and urban politics in Columbia's Teachers College and political science department.
Beyond these achievements, I've been auditing Columbia's recorded lectures from Contemporary Civilization, your core curriculum course that examines foundational texts in Western thought. The discussions on justice and civic responsibility in urban contexts confirmed that Columbia's approach to liberal arts education, rooted in critical examination of primary sources, matches exactly how I want to engage with ideas.
I've also connected with two Columbia students through your admitted student network who both emphasized the culture of intellectual discourse that extends beyond classrooms into residence halls and student organizations. One is involved with the Urban New York program, which I would join immediately as it offers exactly the kind of experiential learning I'm seeking.
Columbia remains my absolute first choice. I will commit immediately if offered admission from the waitlist.
Notice how this student provides concrete updates (published research, national fellowship) while connecting them specifically to Columbia's programs, location, and culture. These loci examples work because they give admissions officers new information to advocate for the student in committee discussions.
Mistake #5: Wrong Tone and Length
Length matters in loci examples. I've seen one-paragraph letters that say nothing and three-page letters that ramble endlessly. The sweet spot is typically 400 to 600 words, long enough to provide substantive content but concise enough to respect busy admissions officers.
Tone matters even more. Your student needs to sound genuinely enthusiastic without being desperate, confident without being presumptuous, and specific without being demanding. Weak loci examples often miss this balance entirely.
Additionally, many students forget to be explicit about their commitment. Strong loci examples clearly state that the school is their first choice and that they'll commit immediately if admitted. Don't make admissions officers guess about your intentions.
Making Your Letter Stand Out: The Elements of Effective Letters
After reviewing thousands of loci examples, I can tell you the ones that work share several characteristics. They demonstrate that the student has continued to engage with the university through research, connections, and intellectual curiosity. They provide updates that are genuinely significant, not manufactured for the sake of having something to say.
Most importantly, effective loci examples tell a story of growing fit. The best letters I've seen explain how the time since applying has deepened the student's understanding of why this particular school is the right match. They reference conversations with current students, engagement with university content, and specific academic programs that align with evolving interests.
Remember that admissions officers at selective institutions read hundreds of these letters each year. The ones that succeed stand out not through gimmicks or flowery language, but through authentic, specific, well-researched content that demonstrates genuine connection to the institution.
When to Send Your Letter
Timing varies by situation. For deferral letters (typically sent after Early Action or Early Decision results), aim to send within two to three weeks of receiving the decision. This shows responsiveness without seeming desperate. For waitlist letters, follow the school's specific instructions, which are usually outlined in the waitlist notification.
Some schools explicitly state they don't want additional materials. Respect this. Strong loci examples only work if the school is actually open to receiving them. Check each university's waitlist policy, usually found on their admissions website or in your decision letter.
The Bottom Line on Letters of Continued Interest
Writing an effective letter of continued interest requires research, strategy, and genuine connection to the institution. The loci examples I've shared demonstrate what works: specific references to programs and professors, meaningful updates since the application, authentic engagement with the university's culture, and clear commitment.
Avoid the common mistakes that plague most loci examples. Don't be generic, don't repeat your application, don't use superficial reasons for interest, don't skip important updates, and don't misjudge tone or length. Instead, take the time to research deeply, connect authentically, and write compellingly about why this specific school is the right fit for your student.
If your student has been deferred or waitlisted, a well-crafted letter of continued interest can absolutely influence the final decision. I've seen it happen countless times over my 18 years in this work. But only if you approach it strategically, with the kind of specific, authentic content that transforms weak loci examples into powerful advocacy tools.
The students who succeed with these letters understand that admissions officers aren't just looking for interest, they're looking for evidence of fit, growth, and genuine enthusiasm that goes beyond rankings and reputation. Show them that, with concrete examples and authentic voice, and your letter will stand out from the hundreds of generic ones they receive.
Need help crafting your student's letter of continued interest? I work with families one-on-one to develop strategic, personalized letters that demonstrate authentic fit and meaningful updates. Visit Stand Out College Prep to learn more about how I can help your student move from the waitlist to acceptance.
