Hi everyone, I just got my first deferral from a college I'm super interested in. I've heard sending a letter of continued interest (LOCI) could help my chances of getting accepted. So, when should I send a LOCI and what should I include in it? Any suggestions would be awesome, thanks!
Hi there! I'm sorry to hear about your deferral, but it's great that you're considering sending a letter of continued interest. Sending a well-crafted LOCI can definitely improve your chances in the regular decision round.
Typically, it's a good idea to send a LOCI around 2-3 weeks after receiving your deferral, as this gives the admissions committee some time to breathe amidst their busy season, while also ensuring they'll have it well before they re-evaluate your application in the regular decision pool.
When writing your LOCI, it's important to:
1. Reiterate your enthusiasm for the college and why it remains your top choice.
2. Update the college on any significant academic or extracurricular achievements since you submitted your application, especially anything that demonstrates your strong fit for the school.
3. Express gratitude for the committee's time and consideration.
Keep your LOCI concise (around 1 page maximum), and make sure it's tailored specifically for the college you're applying to. Also keep in mind that this is not another supplemental essay: you want to be direct and to the point, rather than showing off your creative writing chops.
You can read more about these letters and how to write the strongest one possible on CollegeVine's blog: https://blog.collegevine.com/deferred-or-waitlisted-tips-for-writing-a-letter-of-continued-interest. Also remember that CollegeVine's expert college admissions advisors are here to help you not only with your essays, but also your LOCI, if you want to get a second pair of eyes on it—check out the essay review service if you're interested.
Finally, stay positive, and make sure use the LOCI as an opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to attending the college if accepted. Good luck!
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