When Are Letters of Continued Interest Due?

Letters of continued interest (LOCI) do not have a single fixed deadline, so the answer depends on each college and its review calendar.

Most students send an LOCI after a deferral during Early Action or Early Decision, or soon after being placed on a waitlist during Regular Decision. The letter should arrive while the admissions committee is still reviewing files. Always check the school’s online portal to confirm its rules.

Key Takeaways

• Letters of continued interest do not have a universal deadline; timing depends on whether you were deferred or waitlisted and on each college’s review calendar.
• After a deferral, most students send an LOCI within a few weeks, while waitlisted applicants should submit theirs before or near the May 1 enrollment deposit deadline.
• An LOCI should include meaningful updates such as improved grades, new test scores, or expanded extracurricular activities, rather than repeating prior information.
• Colleges have different policies on updates, so you must follow each school’s official instructions and avoid sending materials if they are not allowed.
• A well-timed, concise letter can reinforce your interest and provide new context, but it does not guarantee admission decisions.

When to Send a Letter of Continued Interest After a Deferral or Waitlisting

The right time to send a letter of continued interest depends on your admissions result. If you were deferred, send it within a few weeks of the decision. If you were waitlisted, send it soon after you accept your spot and while the admissions committee is still reviewing files. Your letter should add new information, not repeat your original application.

When to send an LOCI after deferral

After a deferral from Early Action or Early Decision, most students submit their letter in January or early February. This is also a good time to understand what getting deferred means for college and what updates you can still share. 

This gives the admissions committee time to review updates before Regular Decision decisions are finalized. A letter sent too soon may get lost in the first wave of notices. A letter sent too late may miss the review window.

Include clear updates. You can share new grades, higher test scores, or new extracurricular activities. If you remain interested in attending, say so directly.

After being waitlisted

Waitlisted applicants should act quickly. Send the letter soon after you confirm your place on the waitlist. Many schools review waitlists after May 1, the national deposit deadline.

If this is your top choice and you would attend if admitted, state that clearly. Schools track enrollment rates. A strong interest in attending the school can matter at this stage.

How late is too late for an LOCI?

It is too late once the school closes its waitlist or finalizes its class. Some schools do not accept updates after a posted date. That rule will appear in the admissions portal.

Admissions review often moves faster in late spring. Send your letter while the admissions committee is still making choices.

Do Colleges Have LOCI Deadlines?

Most colleges do not post a firm deadline for letters of continued interest. Instead, they set review windows. Each school typically explains whether it accepts updates after a deferral or waitlisting.

Some schools allow updates through the Common Application portal. Others ask students not to send an additional letter. Follow the exact rules given by the admissions office.

School-Specific LOCI Examples

Purdue University and Harvard show how LOCI policies can vary by school. One college may allow deferred students to submit updates through its portal, while another may share instructions only after Early Action results are released.

Most colleges do not have a universal LOCI deadline. Some accept updates after a deferral or waitlist decision, while others limit what students can send. Check the admissions portal carefully so you follow that school’s timing, format, and update rules.

Follow official admissions instructions

If a college says it does not want updates, do not send one. Admissions officers carefully record and review all materials. Ignoring directions can weaken your file.

Send updates only if the school allows them. Focus on clear progress and new achievements.

Where to Send Your Letter of Continued Interest

Submit your letter through the applicant portal if the college allows updates to be submitted there. If no upload option is available, send it to your regional admissions officer, if listed. If not, follow the school’s instructions and send it to the main admissions office. 

Include your full name, date of birth, and application ID so the admissions team can match the letter to your file.

Letter of Continued Interest Example

A simple format works best:

• Start with a short statement of your interest in attending the school.
• Share new updates such as grades, awards, or test scores.
• End with a clear statement of your desire to attend.

Keep the letter to one page. Focus on facts, not emotion. Strong letter writing means being direct and specific.

Common Timing Mistakes

Avoid sending many updates in a short time. Do not send an additional letter if the college has said no updates are allowed. Do not wait until after the school closes for the review.

Before you act, confirm that the school typically accepts updates and that you have strong new additional information to share. At CollegeCommit, we help students plan timing and policy review through structured University Guidance delivered fully online.

FAQs and Special Situations

Different outcomes require different steps. Know the difference between deferral, waitlist, and rejection.