All About Letters of Continued Interest (LOCI)
First things first, what is a deferral? A deferral occurs when a college decides to postpone making a final decision on your application. Instead of accepting or denying you during the Early Action or Early Decision phase, they move your application to the Regular Decision pool for further consideration.
Receiving a deferral can be disappointing, but it’s not the end of the road! While some colleges only defer (they do not deny in the early rounds of admissions), like Georgetown or the University of Southern California, many colleges like Villanova or UNC Chapel Hill see the deferral process as a way to review applications through the broader lens of the often bigger and more diverse regular decision applicant pool. So take a breath, and let’s strategize!
I encourage most of my deferred students to submit a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI) to provide updates on recent accomplishments and reinforce their enthusiasm for attending. Let’s walk through the essentials of writing an impactful LOCI using tips and tricks straight from the Magnolia Method!
A LOCI is a brief (emphasis on brief!) letter sent to the admissions office of a college that has deferred you. The goal is to express your ongoing interest in the school, share recent updates, and reiterate why you’re an excellent fit for their community.
This is an opportunity to keep your application fresh in their minds and show that you’re serious about attending. Often, deferred students move on - many have received acceptances at other institutions, and they are no longer interested or prioritizing an acceptance at a university to which they have been deferred. A LOCI lets the college know you are still eager to be admitted!
key components of a strong loci
Opening Statement:
Start with a polite and appreciative tone. Thank the admissions committee for continuing to consider your application and reaffirm your strong interest in their institution. For example: “Thank you for continuing to review my application. While I am disappointed to be deferred, Duke continues to be my top choice for college next year!
Be gracious, grateful, and positive!
2. Updates and Achievements:
Highlight new accomplishments since you submitted your application. This can include academic achievements, awards, extracurricular activities, leadership roles, or personal growth. Be specific and concise.
This section should emphasize anything not already covered in your original application.
Feel free to use a bulleted list! Draw their eye to important details with good formatting. Often, a page-long block of text might not get read in busy admission offices!
3. Reaffirm Your Fit:
Explain why the college is the perfect place for you. You may not have been asked to do this in your original application, depending on the supplements. Connect your academic goals, values, or career aspirations to specific programs or opportunities the school offers. Avoid generic statements and show you’ve done your research.
This cannot feel like a copy-and-paste letter. Do your homework or don’t bother!
4. Gratitude and Closing:
End on a positive and gracious note. Thank the admissions committee again and politely express your hope to join their incoming class.
Example: “Thank you for taking the time to review my application and for your continued consideration. I remain deeply committed to becoming a member of the UGA community. Go DAWGS!”
Do:
Keep your letter professional and concise - anything more than a page will be overlooked.
Proofread for grammar, spelling, and tone.
Follow any specific instructions from the college about submitting a LOCI. This includes NOT SENDING A LETTER if they explicitly state that (like Villanova).
Pay attention to deadlines for deferral responses!
IS a deferral response required? Many colleges like UGA, Santa Clara, and TCU require a deferral response to even continue considering you. Do not miss this important detail outlined in your deferral letter and available in your portal.
Skip the AI and write from your heart!
Don’t:
Repeat any information already included in your application.
Sound desperate or overly emotional.
Do not have your parents write this letter - or God forbid, write one and send it themselves!
Demand an update on your application status or threaten to appeal.
Don’t write a LOCI if you have no intention of attending the school that has deferred you. In fact, it is perfectly OK to cancel your application if you know you have moved on! One less thing to worry about!
While a LOCI won’t guarantee admission, it’s a chance to demonstrate maturity, persistence, and genuine interest—qualities that colleges value. Whether or not your status changes, writing a LOCI is a valuable exercise in self-advocacy.
If you work with me, we can write the LOCI together, so have no fear - it will be perfect!
Pro Tip:
Follow all of the college’s admissions profiles on social media. They often post great updates, write blogs on this very topic, and even host podcasts covering things like LOCIs. Get the inside scoop often right from the team making a final decision about YOU!
This article is from a few months ago, but there has been a lot of chatter in my professional circles about leveraging legacy status in your child’s college admission journey. California banned it for the Fall of 2025 at private colleges, read more about it here.
Many of my colleagues, both in college counseling and in college admissions, think this move is something we can expect to see more of in the next few years around the country. Some colleges are even getting ahead of it by changing their supplements (like UVA) to invite students to be explicit in how their family connection to the university has impacted them personally.
This type of legislation is something that will affect a lot of my clients down the road, and The Magnolia Method will ensure success in college admissions despite any changes - anywhere!
Whether you’re a student, parent, teacher, or advisor—you recognize the tremendous benefit of higher education and its impact on shaping one’s future. And no matter your role within this incredibly defining decision-making process, it can be a stressful time for you.
I’m here to be your advisor, organizer, tutor, cheerleader, friend, and compass through this journey. I’ve helped over 2,000 students locate and gain acceptance to the college of their dreams, and I’m so excited to help you, too.
Let’s get to work!
-Allie Pierson, Founder