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Understanding the College Waitlist Decision
Receiving a waitlist notification from your dream college can feel like a confusing mix of hope and disappointment. It’s not a “no,” but it’s not a “yes” either. Being waitlisted means you are a qualified applicant, but the college doesn’t have enough space in its incoming class at the moment. However, this is not the end of the road. It’s an opportunity to take proactive steps, and the most powerful tool at your disposal is a well-written Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI).
A LOCI is your chance to reaffirm your commitment to the institution and provide the admissions committee with compelling new reasons to offer you a spot if one becomes available. It demonstrates maturity, persistence, and a genuine desire to attend, qualities that admissions officers value.
Before You Write: Critical First Steps
Jumping straight into writing without a plan can be a mistake. Before you type a single word, there are a few essential actions you must take to position yourself for success.
1. Officially Accept Your Spot on the Waitlist
This is the most crucial first step. Your waitlist notification will include instructions on how to formally accept your place on the list, usually through the applicant portal. If you don’t do this, the college will assume you are no longer interested, and you will be removed from consideration. Pay close attention to the deadline for this confirmation.
2. Review the College’s Instructions Carefully
Admissions offices are very clear about their waitlist policies. Read your notification letter and any associated FAQ pages on their website. Some colleges explicitly state that they do not want additional materials or letters. In this case, you must respect their wishes. Sending unsolicited documents can hurt your chances. If they do welcome updates, a LOCI is your next move.
3. Secure a Spot Elsewhere
A waitlist offer is not a guarantee of admission. It’s vital to be realistic and secure your future. Pay the deposit for a college that has accepted you before the May 1 deadline. This ensures you have a definite place to attend in the fall, relieving immense pressure and allowing you to write your LOCI from a position of confidence, not desperation.
How to Structure Your Letter of Continued Interest
A strong waitlist letter is concise, professional, and packed with value. It should be structured clearly to convey your message effectively. Aim for a single page, roughly 400-600 words.
The Opening: A Professional Greeting
Start your letter with a formal and polite opening. Address it to the specific admissions officer who signed your letter or the general admissions office if no name is provided. In the first paragraph, thank them for their continued consideration and immediately reaffirm that their school remains your top choice.
The Body: Providing Meaningful Updates
This is the core of your letter. Your goal is to show growth and accomplishment since you first submitted your application. This is not the time to rehash old information. Focus exclusively on new achievements. You can structure this section with a few short paragraphs or a clean, bulleted list.
Examples of powerful updates to include:
- Academic Achievements: Have your grades improved in the most recent semester? Mention a strong GPA or specific high marks in challenging courses like AP or IB classes.
- New Awards or Honors: Did you win a science fair, receive a community service award, get named captain of your team, or achieve a new ranking in a club? Include any recognition you’ve earned.
- Significant Extracurricular Progress: Mention any new leadership roles, major projects you’ve completed, or significant milestones you’ve reached in your activities.
- Relevant Personal Projects: Perhaps you launched a personal website, completed an online course in a field related to your major, or started a meaningful volunteer initiative.
The Connection: Reaffirming Your “Why”
After your updates, dedicate a paragraph to connecting your continued interest back to the specific institution. Don’t just say you love the school. Be specific. Mention how a recent accomplishment has further solidified your interest in a particular program, professor, or research opportunity. For example, winning a debate tournament could be linked to your excitement about joining their renowned debate society. This shows you’ve done your research and are genuinely invested in their unique community.
The Commitment: A Powerful Closing Statement
If the college is truly your number one choice, and you will attend if accepted, state this clearly and unequivocally in your closing paragraph. A sentence like, “I want to reaffirm that if I am admitted to [College Name] from the waitlist, I will enthusiastically accept the offer and withdraw all other applications,” is a powerful signal to the admissions committee. They use the waitlist to manage their enrollment numbers (yield), and knowing an applicant is a guaranteed “yes” can make a significant difference. Only make this statement if you are 100% certain.
Formatting, Tone, and Submission Tips
- Tone: Your tone should be enthusiastic, positive, and professional. Avoid sounding demanding, desperate, or complaining about being waitlisted.
- Proofread: Read your letter multiple times. Use a grammar checker and have a trusted teacher, counselor, or parent read it as well. A single typo can undermine the professionalism of your message.
- Format: Treat it like a formal letter. Include your full name, address, and applicant ID number at the top.
- Submission: Follow the college’s instructions for submitting the letter. This is often via email to the main admissions address or a direct upload to your applicant portal. Do not send it via postal mail unless specifically instructed to do so.
Conclusion
Being waitlisted can be a challenging experience, but it is also an opportunity to advocate for yourself one last time. A thoughtfully crafted Letter of Continued Interest serves as a powerful testament to your commitment and highlights your growth as a student and individual. By providing meaningful updates, reinforcing your specific reasons for wanting to attend, and maintaining a professional tone, you can significantly improve your chances of turning a waitlist spot into an offer of admission. Regardless of the outcome, taking this step is a valuable exercise in perseverance and self-advocacy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: When is the best time to send my Letter of Continued Interest?
A: You should aim to send your LOCI within one to two weeks of receiving the waitlist notification. This timing shows that you are prompt and serious without seeming rushed. It gives you enough time to process the decision, gather your updates, and write a thoughtful, well-polished letter.
Q2: Should I send more than one update or letter?
A: Generally, no. One strong, comprehensive Letter of Continued Interest is sufficient. Bombarding the admissions office with multiple emails can be viewed as annoying and counterproductive. The only exception would be if you receive a truly major, game-changing award (e.g., winning a national competition) later in the spring, in which case a very brief, one-paragraph update email might be appropriate.
Q3: What if I don’t have any major new accomplishments to write about?
A: You can still write a compelling LOCI even without major awards. Focus on demonstrating your continued intellectual curiosity and deepening your connection to the school. You can discuss a recent school project that solidified your interest in your intended major, a book you read by a professor from the university, or a virtual campus event you attended. The goal is to show you are still actively engaged and that your desire to attend is based on specific, well-researched reasons, not just a general feeling.
