How to Write a Strong Letter of Continued Interest for Law School

You worked hard on your law school application. You researched each school, poured your heart into your essays, and hit submit with hopeful confidence. Then, radio silence. Or worse, a polite email saying you’ve been waitlisted.

If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’re in that frustrating, in-between space. Not rejected. Not accepted. Just…waiting.

I remember that heavy pause myself—the long, awkward silence between clicking “submit” and getting a waitlist email. I felt like I’d done everything right, and still, it wasn’t quite enough—yet. That moment of limbo is so emotionally taxing, especially when you’ve already sacrificed time, energy, and dreams just to get this far.

I’ve been there personally and professionally.

When I founded The Art of Applying® back in 2010 with a $10,000 grant from Harvard Business School while earning my MBA and MPA at Harvard, I made it my mission to help ambitious, often underestimated applicants get into top programs, especially when the odds aren’t in their favor. Since then, we’ve helped thousands of clients get into top graduate schools and win over $30 million in merit scholarships.

One of the most powerful tools in your corner as a waitlisted law school applicant is a letter of continued interest, or a LOCI. But it only works if you know how to write it well.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to write a law school letter of continued interest that shows the admissions committee you’re serious, strategic, and ready to contribute. No begging. No fluff. Just a thoughtful letter that positions you to get off the waitlist and into your top-choice law school.

Think of your LOCI not as a desperate plea, but as a confident, respectful nudge that reminds the admissions committee, “Hey, I’m still here, I still care, and I still belong.”

Let’s get into it.

What Is a Letter of Continued Interest for Law School?

A letter of continued interest (LOCI) is a professional communication sent to a law school after you’ve been waitlisted. Its goal is to reaffirm your interest in the school, provide any meaningful updates, and emphasize that you’re still eager to attend.

Think of your LOCI as a way to stay top of mind with the admissions committee, without becoming a pest or sounding desperate. A strong letter of continued interest for law school reminds them why you’re a great fit and why their school remains your first choice.

Why Writing a Strong Law School LOCI Matters

Here’s the deal: most applicants on the waitlist do nothing. They wait. They worry. They refresh their inbox 20 times a day. But law schools want to admit students who really want to be there.

That’s where writing your law school letter of continued interest comes in.

An effective letter tells the admissions committee:

You’re still committed.You’ve reflected on your decision.You’re not treating their school as a backup.You’ve grown since you submitted your application.

And yes, people do get admitted off the waitlist. We’ve seen it happen again and again, even at schools like Harvard Law School and other top law programs.

In fact, many of our clients have successfully gotten off waitlists at top schools like Harvard Law and NYU, sometimes with scholarship offers too. A LOCI is your way of staying in the game, reminding them you’re more than stats, you’re a real person who still wants to join their community.

When to Send a Letter of Continued Interest

You should send a LOCI as soon as possible after being waitlisted, ideally within 1–2 weeks of receiving the decision. If there’s a significant change in your application (like a new job, award, or transcript update), you can send a follow-up LOCI.

Some schools explicitly welcome letters of interest, while others are less clear. If the admissions committee hasn’t told you not to send one, assume you can.

If the school is your top choice, say so. If you’d accept an offer of admission immediately, let them know clearly and respectfully.

How to Write a Letter of Continued Interest for Law School

Here’s a step-by-step guide to writing your LOCI. Remember: keep your letter short, sincere, and strategic. Aim for no more than one page.

1. Start with Gratitude

Open with a respectful thank you. Acknowledge the admissions committee’s time and consideration.

Example:
Thank you for continuing to consider my application for admission to [Law School Name]. I’m grateful to remain on the waitlist and would like to reaffirm my strong interest in the program.

2. Reaffirm Your Interest

Be clear and specific. Reiterate your interest in the law school and why it remains your first choice.

Example:
After deep reflection and continued research, I remain confident that [School of Law] is the best fit for my professional goals in immigration law and my desire to contribute to a collaborative, socially conscious legal community.

3. Share New Information

Have you:

Received new grades?Started a new job or internship?Won an award?Taken on a leadership role?Improved your LSAT score?

Include 1–3 meaningful updates that show growth or commitment to your goals.

4. Reconnect With the School

Briefly highlight 1–2 aspects of the law school that continue to resonate with you. Be specific, mention a clinic, faculty member, course, or student organization.

Example:
My recent conversation with an alumna from the Immigration Law Clinic reaffirmed my belief that [Law School Name] is uniquely positioned to support my growth as an advocate for underserved communities.

If there’s something personal that truly resonates, like a clinic that aligns with your lived experience or a professor whose work you admire, share it. But don’t overthink it. Specificity matters more than perfection.

5. Reaffirm Your Commitment

Close by stating your continued interest in the law school and your readiness to attend if admitted.

Example:
[Law School Name] remains my top-choice law school, and I would accept an offer of admission immediately if extended one. Thank you again for your time and consideration.

What to Avoid When Writing Your Law School LOCI

Writing a thoughtful letter doesn’t just mean knowing what to say, it’s also about what not to say.

Avoid:Begging or pleading — Keep your tone confident and professional.Generic praise — Don’t say a school is “prestigious” or “renowned” without substance. Instead, ask yourself: What makes this school feel like my people? Where do I see myself belonging, contributing, and growing here?Rehashing your application — This is not a personal statement do-over.Excessive flattery — Focus on fit, not fawning.Lack of updates — No new info? Reframe your interest or reflect on recent insights.Typos or formatting errors — This is a business letter. Keep your letter clear and polished.Sample Letter of Continued Interest Example

Subject Line: Continued Interest in [Law School Name]

Dear [Admissions Committee or Director of Admissions],

Thank you for continuing to consider my application to [Law School Name]. I remain honored to be on the waitlist and write to express my sustained interest in attending.

Since submitting my application, I have [include 1–2 updates: e.g., completed a senior thesis on civil liberties, been promoted at my legal internship, or improved my LSAT score]. These experiences have deepened my commitment to public interest law and affirmed my desire to contribute meaningfully to the [Law School Name] community.

[Law School Name] remains my top-choice law school due to its [insert 1–2 specific reasons: e.g., commitment to pro bono work, the Civil Rights Clinic, or renowned faculty in constitutional law]. If offered admission, I would enthusiastically accept.

Thank you again for your time and continued consideration.

Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[LSAC Number]

FAQs About Writing Your Law School Letter of Continued InterestCan I send a LOCI to every law school that waitlists me?

You can, but tailor each one. Don’t send a generic LOCI to every law school—it shows lack of sincere interest. Focus on schools where you genuinely want to attend.

What if I don’t have major updates?

That’s okay. You can still reflect on what you’ve learned since applying, reaffirm your interest, and highlight aspects of the school that continue to excite you.

If you’re struggling with doubts about whether you’re even a competitive applicant, take a breath. Your worth isn’t just in your GPA or LSAT score. The admissions committee is looking for thoughtful, self-aware future lawyers. Your letter can be a quiet but powerful statement of growth and commitment.

Can I write more than one LOCI?

Yes, especially if the waitlist period is long or if you have meaningful updates. Just don’t overwhelm the admissions committee with weekly emails.

You can absolutely send more than one LOCI, just space them out respectfully (about every 4–6 weeks) and make sure each has something new or meaningful to add. It’s okay to feel eager. Just channel that energy into clarity and purpose.

What if I’m worried about financial aid or scholarships?

It’s a smart move to research each school’s loan repayment assistance programs (LRAPs), especially if you’re pursuing public interest law. And if financial aid is a major factor for you, say that in your LOCI, but frame it around your long-term goals and commitment to service. Many schools respect transparency and are open to negotiating aid packages later.

Keep Your Letter Focused, Sincere, and Specific

A law school letter of continued interest is a powerful way to demonstrate your commitment and move closer to admission. When written with clarity and purpose, it shows that you’re not just waiting passively—you’re actively engaging in the admissions process.

At The Art of Applying, we’ve supported thousands of clients through every step of the law school admissions process, including writing strong law school letters of continued interest that help get them admitted off the waitlist and into their dream law school.

So, whether your top-choice law school is NYU, UCLA, Harvard Law, or somewhere in between, know this: a thoughtful letter, grounded in genuine interest, strategic updates, and respectful tone, can absolutely make a difference.

If you’re feeling stuck or want expert feedback on writing your law school LOCI, you can always book a free Quick Call with our team. You don’t have to navigate this alone.

Don’t let the waitlist shake your confidence. You’ve already done something brave by applying, and this letter is just one more way to advocate for yourself with grace and grit. You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be clear, grounded, and willing to show up again.

Because sometimes, the difference between being waitlisted and admitted… is just one really well-written letter.