Letters of Continued Interest (With Template)
The college you are most excited about has released its admissions decision. You log into your application portal, cautiously optimistic that you’ll be accepted, while mentally preparing yourself for a denial.
You click the link and see: Deferred. Deferred? You read the information, disappointed, confused, and unsure about your next steps.
What does deferred mean?
For clarity, “deferred” is the term used when students apply in one of the early rounds (Early Decision, Early Action) but the college delays your admission decision. They sometimes do that to view your application among their regular decision applicants.
What does waitlisted mean?
On the other hand, "waitlisted” is used when students apply by the regular decision deadline and are not admitted but not denied. Deferred students generally are not ranked, whereas waitlisted students often are (but that ranking is not shared).
Why do colleges defer or waitlist students?
Colleges use a deferral or waitlist as a way of saying, “You are qualified, but we aren’t sure. We are offering spots to other students, but we are still interested.”
For the college, it helps them secure a full freshman class by providing them with a bank of students from which they can select candidates. For the student, while it’s more promising than a denial, it’s a signal that you have more work to do with this college and other colleges on your list.
What can you do if you’re deferred or waitlisted?
The first thing you should do is get equally excited about your second and third favorite colleges. Hopefully, every college on your college application list appeals to you in multiple ways despite often having that “number one” school in your head.
If your number one defers you, it’s time to get hyped about the next one on your list. Do a deep dive, visit colleges again (if possible), read student reviews, and learn what a day in the life of a student at that college looks like. In general, focus on the positive aspects of the other schools to which you’ve applied.
A letter of continued interest
The second thing you should do is write a letter of continued interest to the college admissions office that deferred you. Don’t delay—you should do this within two weeks of receiving the decision. If multiple colleges deferred or waitlisted you, write a unique letter of continued interest to each school you’d still like to attend.
A letter of continued interest allows you to expand your story and remind a school why you would be a great fit. A well-worded letter paints a picture of you as a student impacting their campus positively.
Can writing a letter of continued interest help?
Yes. Writing a letter of continued interest offers you your best chance of getting admitted. It’s not a great chance. Statistics show that, historically, each year, about 10% of students are accepted off a deferral or waitlist. Not writing a letter, however, indicates you have given up on that school.
Take time and care when crafting this letter. It is not a letter designed for begging or insulting the admissions team for not admitting you.
How to write a letter of continued interest
Make it personal
This is not the time for AI-generated wording. This is the time to strive to set yourself apart from the other waitlisted students. The best letter will help them see you on their campus like you do—making positive contributions and creating a positive climate.
This letter should show your best self to the representative(s), expanding on the story told in your personal statement when you first applied. If your initial application essay wasn’t as strong as you’d hoped, this is a chance to correct that. You want the reader to envision you as a vital part of their community. Feel free to be creative! For example, you might describe a recent project that aligns with the college’s values or your passion for contributing to a specific campus initiative.
Give an update—if it’s relevant
In your letter of continued interest, do not regurgitate what they’ve already read in your application. Your application got you this far, and now they need more.
If you’re adding any new activities, awards, honors, jobs, or relevant projects, make sure they add value to your potential as a student on that college campus. Listing your resume doesn’t offer them anything new on which to base a decision. For example, if you recently presented at a science fair or took on a leadership role in a club, include that as evidence of your growth and potential.
Be clear
It’s important that you are clear about why you are writing this letter. This school is your top choice (or at least very near the top, but no need to specify that). You should state that [Name] University remains your top choice to continue your studies. Then, briefly state why.
There is no need to go into detail on their programs or activities—they know all of this. Plus, you don’t want to waste precious writing space telling them what they already know. If, for example, the university recently published research in your intended field of study, you can briefly point to that as another reason you hope to study there.
Letter of continued interest DO’S:
- Address them to the regional admissions representative for your area/high school.
- Thank the admissions rep and admissions committee for offering you a space on their deferral or waitlist and considering your application. An attitude of gratitude serves you well in this situation.
- Write it as a formal letter.
- Be genuine and show your personality.
- Be clear about your continued interest.
- Show, not tell, how you fit into their campus and how you would contribute.
- Expand on whatever angle you used in your initial essay/personal statement, or clarify that angle now if it wasn’t strong in the first place.
- Offer updates only as they pertain to your overall narrative of how you can contribute to their college.
- Upload it into your application portal and/or send it directly to the regional admissions representative.
- Keep it to about one page long, maybe slightly longer, but not shorter.
Letter of continued interest DON’TS:
- Write a brag sheet or resume.
- Complain, insult, or be rude about the fact that the college deferred or waitlisted you.
- Share names of other colleges where you’ve been accepted or even applied.
- Make it a list of updates since you first applied.
- Address it to the whole admissions department. If you cannot find your regional representative, work with your school counselor or call the college’s admissions office and ask.
Letter of continued interest template
[Your Full Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Your Email Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date][Regional Admissions Representative's Name]
[University Name]
[Admissions Office Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]Subject: Letter of Continued Interest
Dear [Admissions Representative's Name],
I hope this message finds you well. My name is [Your Full Name], and I applied for [intended program or major] for the [semester/year] term. I am grateful for being considered for admission to [University Name] and for the opportunity to remain on the [waitlist/deferral list].
I want to reiterate that [University Name] is my top choice for continuing my studies. [Briefly explain why]. My passion for [specific interest or field] and the unique opportunities at [University Name] excite me about contributing to and thriving in your community.
Since submitting my application, I have continued to grow and develop academically and personally. [Share one or two meaningful updates demonstrating growth or achievements] Additionally, I started [a second meaningful update].
Thank you for taking the time to review my application again. I sincerely appreciate the consideration and the work that goes into the admissions process. If there is any additional information or documentation I can provide to strengthen my application, please don’t hesitate to let me know.
I remain enthusiastic about possibly attending [University Name] and am committed to contributing positively to the campus community.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
As you wait for more news..
While being deferred or waitlisted isn’t ideal, remember that this is part of the college admissions process. Not everyone gets in at every college. If you’re feeling deflated, remind yourself that you will land where you’re supposed to and that college, no matter where you go, is what you make it.
But if your deferred or waitlisted college doesn’t work out, don’t worry—you still have options. Many excellent colleges offer rolling admissions, which means they continue to accept and review applications as long as there is space in their incoming class. Applying to a college that offers rolling admission is a great way to secure your spot at a school that aligns with your goals and interests.
Click the button below to find colleges that offer rolling admission.
