Got Waitlisted? How to Write a Letter of Continued Interest
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The majority of selective colleges waitlist students. According to the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), 43% of institutions reported using a waitlist during the Fall 2018 admissions cycle, with more than 80% of selective institutions maintaining a waitlist. But what can you do while waiting for an admissions decision?
Instead of feeling hopeless or frustrated, take steps to improve your chances of getting in. A letter of continued interest can show schools you’re still interested in attending and may improve your chances of getting off the waitlist.
“If you really love a school, then you should be willing to say that you want to go there and put in that little extra bit of effort,” Jayson Weingarten, senior admissions consultant with Ivy Coach, tells BestColleges.
What Is a Letter of Continued Interest?
Each school has a different procedure for waitlisted applicants. Many allow or encourage students to write a letter updating the admissions office about their interest in attending the school. If the school welcomes these letters, use your letter as an opportunity to make your application stand out.
A letter of continued interest serves two purposes:
- Demonstrates that you still want to attend the school
- Highlights accomplishments you’ve achieved since submitting your initial application
Make sure your letter achieves both of these goals.
How to Write a Letter of Continued Interest
Choose Which Schools to Send the Letter To
While letters of continued interest are never mandatory, Weingarten says they are starting to become the norm for students hoping to get off the waitlist.
“It’s gone from something that some students are doing to now a lot more common, erring on the side of it being an expectation,” he says.
That said, not all schools allow waitlisted applicants to send letters of continued interest. Make sure the school you’re interested in accepts them before sending one.
Send letters of continued interest to every school you want to attend. If you plan to send letters to multiple schools, tailor each letter to each specific institution. A generic letter is unlikely to have an impact on your admissions decision.
Include New Information
A letter of continued interest should include new, relevant information about you and your education. Let the admissions committee know if your current grades or GPA have improved significantly since your initial application. If you retook the SAT or ACT and got a higher score, mention it.
However, Weingarten says new information should not just concern academic performance or repeat the initial application.
“If the new information is that you continue to have good grades, that’s not worth an entire letter,” he says. “A lot of students will make mistakes by making mountains out of little things that have happened.”
Explain Why the School Is a Good Fit
A letter of continued interest should demonstrate your passion for the school, explaining why you want to attend that particular institution and why it’s your top choice. This could include the school’s academic programs, traditions, or any personal ties to the campus community.
“The best way to approach the letter is to use it as a vehicle to reaffirm one’s interest in going to that school and being a member of that community,” Weingarten says.
Be Clear, Concise, and Grammatically Correct
Overall, keep your letter brief. Admissions counselors are busy and don’t want to read a novel. Letters of continued interest should be around one page — not much less, and definitely not much more.
You should stay positive and professional in your letter. Show that you’d be a valuable addition to the school — avoid bragging, desperation, or arrogance. Your letter should also avoid mentioning your application status at any other institution.
Lastly, make sure your letter is well-written and free of grammatical errors. Have someone you trust read over it to help you catch any unintentional mistakes.
Letter of Continued Interest Examples
Letter of Continued Interest Example #1
Dear Director of Admissions,
Thank you for reviewing my application and considering me for City University. City U remains my top choice for college because of its outstanding theater program and vibrant academic community, and I would be thrilled to join the Class of 2029 in the fall if accepted off the waitlist.
I would like to update my application with some recent accomplishments. In the winter quarter, I earned a perfect 4.0 GPA, raising my overall GPA to a 3.88. Additionally, my drama troupe recently received a commendation from the governor for our play “Stay in School.”
I hope to develop my interest in theater arts in the university’s renowned theater program. Last month, I visited campus and got the opportunity to tour the performing arts center and speak to current theatre students. Speaking with them reinforced my decision that City U is the right place for me to grow as a student — and an actor. I really appreciated the program’s emphasis on a well-rounded education and the opportunity to learn from past students at the annual alumni showcase.
I remain deeply excited about the possibility of joining the City U community. Please let me know if I can provide you with any additional information, and I look forward to your decision.
Letter of Continued Interest Example #2
Dear Director of Admissions,
I am writing to reaffirm my strong interest in attending City University if admitted from the waitlist. The campus environment and award-winning journalism program make the university my top choice. Last month, I visited campus and toured the journalism building, reinforcing my excitement about attending City U.
During my tour, I spoke with the dean of the journalism school, who answered my questions about course offerings and internship opportunities. Speaking with them made me even more confident that the City U journalism program is right for me with its small classes, diverse selection of courses, and internship program located in the state legislature.
I would also like to share some recent accomplishments and highlight how I’ve expanded my journalism experience. Since applying in January, I began freelancing for a local political blog and have had the opportunity to write a feature article on new mayoral candidates. Our school district also recognized me for my article covering refugee resettlement in our community in the student newspaper. These experiences have deepened my passion for investigative reporting, and I am eager to further develop my skills at City U.
Thank you for your time and consideration. If admitted, I would enthusiastically accept a place in the Class of 2029.
Will Sending a Letter of Continued Interest Help?
Submitting a letter of continued interest is one of the best ways to increase your chances of getting off the waitlist. While it does not guarantee admission, a letter of continued interest can demonstrate to admission officers that you are still interested in attending their institution and being a part of their campus community.
According to NACAC, institutions admitted an average of 20% of students from waitlists during the Fall 2018 admissions cycle. Highly selective institutions are even less likely to accept students off a waitlist. Ivy Coach estimates that historically, 10% of deferred and waitlisted students earn admission to highly selective universities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Letters of Continued Interest
Yes, a letter of continued interest is worth it if you want to increase your chances of getting off the waitlist. While it does not guarantee admission, it can demonstrate to admission officers that you are still interested in attending their institution and being a part of their campus community.
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