Writing a Letter of Continued Interest

After a waitlist or a deferral, the question every applicant asks is: what can I do? Often the answer is, quite honestly, not much. The decision depends on the school's needs and who accepts other offers. But there is one step that is both allowed and useful when done well: a short letter of continued interest. It tells the school that you are still keen, adds anything new and gives the admissions team a reason to remember you.

This guide explains when to send one and how to write it, with a template. Policies vary, so follow the school's instructions on whether and how to write. This is general information.

What the letter does

A letter of continued interest:

• Confirms that you want to attend if admitted.
• Updates the school on new achievements or grades.
• Adds specific reasons for your interest.
• Shows that you are organized and polite.

It does not guarantee a place. Schools consider many factors. But a well-written letter can help, particularly at schools that track interest and consider updates.

When to send one

Send a letter if:

1. You have been waitlisted or deferred.
2. The school allows or invites updates.
3. You would attend if admitted.
4. You have something new to share.

Do not send one if the school says not to. Some schools state that they do not accept additional materials, and ignoring this can count against you. Read the waitlist or deferral letter and the school's website. If in doubt, email admissions to ask.

Our guides to waitlisted: what next and deferred in early decision or early action describe the wider context.

What to include

Keep it focused.

1. A polite opening: thank them and state that you remain interested.
2. Your intention: say clearly if you would attend, and if the school is your first choice, say so truthfully.
3. Updates: new grades, awards, projects, leadership, work or experiences since you applied.
4. Specific reasons: one or two details about the school's program or community that appeal to you.
5. A short close: thank them again, and offer to provide more information.

Each part should add something. Avoid repeating your whole application.

Tone and style

• Be polite, sincere and concise.
• Write in your own voice.
• Use specific examples.
• Avoid flattery, pressure or begging.
• Avoid complaining about the decision.
• Proofread carefully, including the school's name and the admissions officer's name.

A letter that sounds like a form is less effective than a short, real one.

Length and format

Keep it to one page, or a few short paragraphs in an email. Use plain formatting. Include your name, applicant number and contact details. Send it by the method the school specifies, such as a portal upload or an email address.

Template

Subject: Continued interest, [Your Name], [Applicant ID]

Dear [Admissions Officer's Name or Admissions Team],

Thank you for considering my application to [University] and for placing me on the waitlist. I remain very interested in the [Program], and if I am offered a place, I will accept.

Since I applied, I have [one or two brief updates, such as: received an A in advanced chemistry, led my robotics team to a regional final, started a weekly tutoring program at my local library]. These experiences have strengthened my interest in [field].

I am particularly drawn to [specific feature, such as the research opportunities in X, the course Y, or the community Z], because [brief reason connected to your goals]. I believe I could contribute to [something specific] while benefiting from [something specific].

Thank you again for your time and consideration. Please let me know if I can provide any further information.

Sincerely, [Your Name] [Contact details]

A shorter version for deferral

If you were deferred in an early round, your letter can be shorter.

Dear [Name],

Thank you for the opportunity to be considered for early admission. [University] remains my top choice, and I would be thrilled to attend if admitted. Since I applied, I have [update]. I look forward to the next stage of your review.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

Say that it is your first choice only if you mean it.

What not to do

• Do not repeat your application.
• Do not exaggerate or invent updates.
• Do not write multiple long letters.
• Do not ask others to lobby on your behalf, unless invited.
• Do not criticize the decision or other schools.
• Do not claim you will attend if you would not.
• Do not send gifts or unsolicited materials.

How often to follow up

Send one letter. If you have a significant new development, such as a major award or improved grades, you may send a brief update later, if the school allows it. Avoid sending messages weekly. Constant contact can seem pushy. Respect the school's timeline.

Combining with other steps

A letter is one step among several.

• Secure a place elsewhere. Do not rely on the waitlist.
• Keep your grades up, since schools may ask for final transcripts.
• Visit or attend events, if possible.
• Ask about financial aid and housing in case you are admitted late.
• Prepare for your chosen school.

Our guide to handling rejection offers advice on coping if the answer is no.

International students

International applicants should consider timing for visa and funding. A late offer may leave little time. State your intention clearly in the letter, and ask about timelines for documents. Be prepared to decide quickly.

A worked example

Imagine a student waitlisted at a university for a nursing program. She writes: "Since I applied, I have completed my first semester of anatomy with an A, started volunteering at a community clinic and been selected as a peer tutor. The clinical placement structure in your program is exactly what I hope to experience, and I would accept an offer without hesitation." The letter is short, specific and honest, and it adds new information. She sends it by the method the school specifies and then turns her attention back to her chosen school.

Checking the school's instructions

Schools handle updates differently. Some provide a form, others a portal upload and others an email address. Some ask for updates only once, by a certain date. Some ask applicants not to send any. Read the waitlist or deferral page, and follow it exactly. If instructions are missing, ask admissions how they prefer updates to be sent.

Writing as yourself

Your letter should sound like you. Avoid stiff phrases and borrowed templates. Use the template as a starting point, then rewrite in your own words, and read it aloud. A short, sincere note will serve you better than a polished letter that could have come from anyone.

Examples of strong updates

Updates that help are specific and recent. They might include a new set of grades, a competition result, a published piece of writing, a project completed, a leadership role begun or a job that taught you something relevant. They should relate to the program you hope to join. For example, a student applying to an engineering program might mention that she built and tested a working prototype this term and learned a new design tool.

Updates that do not help include repeating achievements already in the application, listing small items that add little or listing everything you have done. Choose one or two updates that matter, and describe them in a sentence or two. Quality beats quantity.

Tone checks

Before sending, read your letter aloud and ask whether it sounds sincere. Remove words that sound exaggerated, such as "dream" or "desperately," unless they are true and used sparingly. Make sure that you are respectful of the admissions team's time. Ask a teacher to read it. Check the school's name, the program and the spelling of any names. A small error can undermine a strong letter.

Common mistakes

• Sending a letter when the school says not to.
• Writing a generic letter.
• Saying it is your first choice when it is not.
• Making it too long.
• Sending repeated messages.
• Typos and wrong names.

A quick checklist

• Do I know the school's policy on updates?
• Do I have genuine updates and specific reasons?
• Is my letter short, polite and honest?
• Have I proofread for names and details?
• Have I secured a place elsewhere?

Final thoughts

A letter of continued interest is a small, courteous gesture that can help when a decision is close. Follow the school's rules, share real updates, be honest about your intention and keep it brief. Then move forward with your plans.