Top 5 Things to NOT Include in a Letter of Continued Interest

This will be a short blog post. These are 5 things that should be absent from your letter of continued interest. If even one of these is included, your chances of getting off the waitlist plummet.

1. The word "waitlist."

Explicitly mentioning your waitlist status creates a negative frame for your letter. Instead of focusing on your current situation, emphasize your continued enthusiasm and genuine interest in the school. Admissions officers know your status already—your goal is to show them why you're still excited about their institution.

2. Negativity or expression of disappointment of any kind.

A letter of continued interest should be optimistic and forward-looking. Expressing disappointment or frustration with your status can reflect poorly on your attitude and resilience. Admissions committees want students who remain positive even when facing challenges. Keep your tone enthusiastic and focused on the future.

3. Information already present on the application that you originally submitted to them.

Repeating information wastes valuable space and the reader's time. Admissions officers have already reviewed your original application. Instead, share deep reflections on why the school is a perfect fit, or how you’ll leverage that’s school resources to make a positive tangible impact on the world.

4. Names of other colleges you were accepted into.

Mentioning other acceptances can come across as leveraging or comparing institutions, which may alienate admissions officers. They want students who genuinely want to attend their specific school, not those who see it as one option among many. Focus exclusively on why this particular institution remains your top choice.

5. Bragging about new academic accomplishments; that is for your guidance counselor in their advocacy call.

Bragging makes you unlikable. If you were waitlisted for a particular college, it is because you already passed the bar for being academically accomplished enough to be a potential student there. If you did not pass that bar, then you would have been rejected. Instead, you want to make yourself as likable as possible on a personal and emotional level with your reader. Leave the bragging to your guidance counselor.

If you want to be yanked right off that waitlist, schedule a complimentary consultation with an admissions expert today to learn how we can help you.