A LOCI is a Letter of Continued Interest. Usually, you send this to inform a school of your interest in attending despite being waitlisted or put on hold. It also offers an opportunity to update the school on new developments in your application. Are you putting together your LOCI? Here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know.
Why Send a LOCI?
If you are waitlisted or held, a school typically wants to make sure you still want to attend their institution. A LOCI is your opportunity to convey your interest despite not receiving an immediate acceptance letter.
Will the LOCI Make a Difference?
It certainly can. If you fail to send a LOCI or send a poorly written one, you’re telling the school that your interest isn’t that high, which can lower your chances of admittance. On the other hand, a well-written LOCI reaffirms your desire to attend and allows you to add new information to your application. This sends a strong signal to the school and can increase your chances of admission.
When Should You Send a LOCI?
Typically, you send a LOCI in response to a specific action by the school. Send it soon after receiving notice, but do not send a LOCI until you receive a notification that requires action. Constantly contacting the admissions office can be seen as pestering.
This advice does not apply if your application status changes due to an event, such as receiving a new, higher LSAT score or sending a thank-you note after an interview or school visit.
How Do You Format and Submit a LOCI?
Your LOCI can be written in letter form or as a standard statement, but you must include your identifying information, such as your name and CAS number. Include your address and contact information if possible, as well as the date. The easiest way to submit is to create a Word document and save it as a PDF to preserve formatting. Submit via email or the school’s submission form if available.
What Should You Say?
There are several points to include in your letter. Our friends at Spivey Consulting cover many of these in their article How to Write a Letter of Continued Interest. Key points to include:
- A reminder of where you are in the process, e.g., “I am currently on the waitlist at Amazing U…”
- A direct statement that you are still interested in attending. If the school is your top choice or if you’ll attend if admitted at any time, say so. The more committed you are, the stronger your case.
- Provide any relevant updates to your application (new LSAT score, new achievement, school visit, promotion, etc.). Let the school know if you have new information that strengthens your application.
- Discuss any relationship or interaction with the school that might not have come up before, e.g., recent school visit, attending classes, or speaking with professors who impressed you. Do not repeat information from other parts of your application.
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