How to Write a Letter of Continued Interest for Law School

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If you've been waitlisted or deferred at one or more of your top choice law schools, you should consider writing a letter of continued interest. A letter of continued interest (also called LOCI) formally states to the admissions office that you remain interested in attending the law school.

A letter of continued interest can improve your chances of admission if a spot on the waitlist becomes available. There is one clear exception, however: if the law school explicitly says not to send additional info, you absolutely should not send a LOCI.

What to Include

First, review any LOCI instructions provided by the law school. If the school has specific requirements, follow them exactly. Once you are ready to start writing your letter, make sure to include the following elements.

Expression of Gratitude

The first part of your LOCI should thank the admissions officers for their consideration of your application. Manners matter and good etiquette makes a good impression. By offering this gesture of respect and appreciation right away, you start your letter on a positive note.

Statement of Interest

The admissions committee considers the likelihood of attendance when deciding which applicants to admit from the waitlist, so stating your desire to attend is extremely important.

If the law school is first on your list and you have every intention of attending if admitted, you should say so. On the flip side, if you are interested in the school but it is not your top choice, do not be dishonest about your level of commitment in the letter. A misleading LOCI is unethical and often detectable by admissions officers. Instead, choose your words carefully and express enthusiasm for and a strong interest in the school, without promising to attend.

Application Updates

What have you accomplished since submitting your application? Update the admissions officers on your recent achievements in your LOCI, keeping in mind that you should not include items that you already shared in your application.

Possible updates include awards or honors you've received, significant projects you've completed, and law-related volunteer work you've undertaken. Additionally, if you are a current college student, you may wish to include your latest grade report; if you are employed, you could mention a job promotion or a substantive new role at work. For all applicants, an increased LSAT score is worth sharing in your LOCI.

Explanation of Interest

Briefly explain why the law school is such a great match for you. Does the school offer a unique course structure or teaching style? Explain why it matters to you. Are there specific professors, classes, or clinical opportunities that align with your professional goals? Explain how you would make the most of these experiences. 

Avoid just explaining how great the law school is without drawing connections to your own goals and interests. The admissions officers already know about all the great resources available at their school; your letter must tell them how you will make the most of those resources.

Recent Visit or Interaction

The LOCI is an appropriate place to bring up any connections you have made with members of the faculty or school representatives. Consider sharing specific examples of recent interactions with professors, school representatives, or other members of the law school community. If you recently visited the school, describe a discovery or experience from the visit that confirmed your desire to join the school community.

Length and Formatting

Unless the law school says otherwise, your LOCI should be no longer than a single page. Format the letter with standard fonts and margins, and address it to the admissions officer who sent your waitlist notification. Be sure to include your name, address, and contact information, as well as your CAS (Credential Assembly Service) number, in the letter. 

When to Send It

Write the letter of continued interest as soon as possible after receiving news of your waitlisted or deferred status. The letter should be sent to the school before the offer acceptance deadline for admitted students. According to Harvard Law, “Students interested in the waitlist should accept the offer on or before May 1st.” Yale Law provides insight regarding the waitlist review process stating, “Generally, the bulk of our waitlist activity, if we have any at all, will take place around our deposit deadline, which is on May 3.” Make sure your letter is received well in advance of these important dates.

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Fabio, Michelle. "How to Write a Letter of Continued Interest for Law School." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/writing-a-letter-of-continued-interest-2154733. Fabio, Michelle. (2023, April 5). How to Write a Letter of Continued Interest for Law School. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/writing-a-letter-of-continued-interest-2154733 Fabio, Michelle. "How to Write a Letter of Continued Interest for Law School." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/writing-a-letter-of-continued-interest-2154733 (accessed March 28, 2024).