Admissions offices often defer or waitlist strong applicants, not due to flaws but due to limited space. A well-written Letter of Continued Interest can influence decisions by reinforcing your commitment and showcasing recent progress.
The content must go beyond general enthusiasm. It must deliver concrete reasons for renewed consideration.
Every element must prove your value and fit for the school. Vague praise or repeated information from your original application will not help. A Letter of Continued Interest must offer fresh insight, meaningful updates, and a tone of respect and clarity.
Each section of your letter must serve a clear purpose.
1. Gratitude and Reaffirmation
Start by thanking the admissions committee for reviewing your original application. Acknowledge the time and effort required to evaluate thousands of submissions. Avoid generic statements.
Use a sentence that directly references their previous consideration and your continued hope to join the school.
For example:
Thank you for taking the time to review my application and for offering me a place on the waitlist. I appreciate the opportunity to remain under consideration.
State Your Commitment Directly
Admissions officers want to know who will accept an offer without hesitation. If the school is your top choice, say so directly. Use clear, unconditional language.
Never use phrases like “I would likely attend.” That shows uncertainty. Say something like:
[School Name] remains my first choice, and I will enroll if admitted.
Do not add qualifiers or vague hopes. Be precise and respectful. That direct statement carries weight and gives your letter purpose.
Avoid Redundancy
Avoid repeating your reasons for applying unless your perspective has evolved or you have new insights. Focus on forward movement. The gratitude and reaffirmation section must be brief but powerful.
It sets the tone for the rest of the letter and signals genuine interest. Keep the paragraph concise, sincere, and anchored in facts, not emotion.
Tips for Strong Execution
- Use one short paragraph for thanks
- Use one firm sentence to state your intent
- Use one clear closing line that transitions into your updates
A simple and clear beginning helps the reader engage without confusion. It positions your letter as thoughtful and purposeful rather than emotional or repetitive.
2. Significant Updates
Admissions committees expect to see growth. Do not repeat what they already reviewed. Share specific, recent accomplishments that strengthen your application. Every detail must reflect progress since your original submission.
If your GPA improved, include the exact change. If you earned an award, name it. If you took on a new role, describe it clearly.
For example:
Since submitting my application, I earned a 4.0 GPA during the fall semester, bringing my cumulative average to 3.85.
That type of statement gives admissions officers a clear reason to take another look.
Include Academic, Extracurricular, and Personal Milestones
Strong letters include a range of updates, not only academic ones. List new leadership positions, service projects, research, job experience, or personal achievements that show initiative and maturity.
Use bullet points if the list is dense but keep it clean. Focus on impact and relevance.
Examples include:
- Promotion to captain of a sports team
- Launch of a community initiative
- Completion of a college-level course
- Internship or job in a related field
- Award for a specific competition or project
Show Initiative and Responsibility
Each update must reflect responsibility and forward motion. You must show that you remain actively engaged and continue building a strong academic and personal record.
Include details that signal your commitment to learning, leadership, and service.
Avoid filler content. Do not list club meetings or events unless you held a leadership role or made a measurable impact. Every update must prove that your application now carries more weight than before.
Structure for Clarity
Start with a one-line summary of your recent progress. Then list two to three key updates, each with brief context. Conclude the section by reinforcing how those updates strengthen your qualifications for the school.
End with something like:
I believe these recent developments strengthen my candidacy and reflect my continued dedication to both academic and personal growth.
That structure keeps the section focused and gives the admissions team clear evidence to reconsider your file.
3. Specific Fit
Generic praise will weaken your letter. You must demonstrate a deep and personal understanding of what the school offers. Mention exact programs, professors, or resources that connect to your goals.
Show that you have spent time researching new details since submitting your application.
For example:
After reading Professor Alicia Ramos’s recent work on bilingual education policy, I remain eager to study under her in the Education and Social Reform track.
That statement shows effort, purpose, and connection. Avoid phrases like “prestigious program” or “great campus environment.” Be specific. Name courses, departments, or opportunities that directly relate to your academic interests and career path.
Prove Mutual Benefit
Explain how your goals match what the school emphasizes. Show how you will contribute as much as you will gain.
You must position yourself as a future asset, not only a potential student. Reference activities, values, or student groups where you see a strong match.
Examples include:
- Aligning your advocacy work with a school’s civic engagement program
- Connecting your research interest to a faculty member’s lab
- Matching your writing focus with the campus literary journal
Stay Concrete and Direct
Use brief, well-constructed sentences that explain what you plan to do if admitted. Mention specific opportunities on campus that relate to your field of interest. Avoid vague enthusiasm. Detail leads to credibility.
End the section by reaffirming your strong alignment with the institution’s mission, values, and goals. Let your words prove that your place in the next class makes sense for both you and the school.
4. Professional Tone
Tone carries weight. Admissions committees read hundreds of letters, and tone often separates thoughtful candidates from careless ones.
Every sentence must reflect professionalism, maturity, and self-awareness. Avoid casual phrases, humor, or excessive emotion.
You are asking to be reconsidered. That request must come with respect and clarity. Express confidence, not frustration or desperation.
Avoid phrasing like:
I hope you do not forget about me.
I deserve a place at your school.
I was surprised and disappointed to be waitlisted.
Instead, use phrases such as:
I remain enthusiastic about the possibility of joining your campus community.
I appreciate your continued consideration of my application.
Keep It Focused and Brief
Limit your letter to one page. Every section must be concise. Avoid long paragraphs or repeated phrases. Proofread every sentence. Correct grammar, spelling, and formatting errors will reflect your attention to detail.
Use standard font and structure:
- 11- or 12-point font
- Left-aligned format
- 1-inch margins
- Professional salutation and signature
Never include slang, personal anecdotes, or humor. Each word must serve a purpose. You are presenting new evidence, not writing a personal reflection.
5. Clear and Purposeful Closing
Finish strong. End the letter by restating your sincere interest and enthusiasm. Make it unmistakably clear that you want to attend. If you would accept an offer, restate that in your closing.
Use something like:
I remain fully committed to enrolling at [School Name] if offered admission and would be honored to join the Class of 2029.
That final sentence reinforces your intent without repeating earlier phrases. Keep it precise and meaningful.
Express Thanks Again
Thank the committee one more time for their time and effort. Do not use excessive flattery. Keep it brief, formal, and genuine.
Sign Off Professionally
Use a standard closing phrase such as:
Sincerely,
Respectfully,
With appreciation,
Then include your full name, high school name, and any application ID if applicable. That helps the admissions team quickly match your letter to your file.
Every part of your closing must carry weight. End on a note that reflects gratitude, purpose, and optimism. You are leaving a final impression. Make it count.
Bottom Line
A strong Letter of Continued Interest must deliver new value, not recycled enthusiasm. You must prove your continued commitment, update your achievements, and demonstrate a specific, mutual fit with the institution.
Tone matters as much as content. The letter must sound thoughtful, focused, and confident without appearing entitled or emotional.
Do not treat it as a formality. Do not copy phrases from templates or forums. Admissions officers recognize generic language immediately. Every sentence must carry your voice, reflect your growth, and align with what the school values in its future students.