Writing a Great LOCI
As the regular application season wraps up, the LOCI season begins. If you applied for Early Decision and were deferred, you will likely be asked to write a Letter Of Continued Interest. Here’s what to do and what to avoid when writing this letter.
Write another, even better, Why This College paragraph
First and foremost, the college wants your assurance that you are still interested in admittance. This often tempts students to think they should just be more emphatic about their desire to be accepted, but don’t plead, and don’t be tempted to use a lot of adjectives and adverbs and superlatives to tell them how you really, really want to go to their absolutely marvelous school.
Without reasons and examples, such talk is meaningless.
Wrong way:
I have always wanted to go to UChicago. My mother and uncle really enjoyed their time there, and I adore the stunning architecture and hugely admire the famous faculty. It is the only college I want to attend, and I will be brokenhearted if I don’t get in.
Does this applicant's LOCI tell the admissions committee how he will contribute to the university community or what unique offerings have drawn him there? Does the applicant suggest a way in which he is a perfect fit for UChicago? No.
Right Way:
The Core Curriculum at UChicago teaches students to be critical thinkers. As the editor of my school newspaper and the winner of three regional journalism awards, I look forward to writing for the Chicago Maroon, and am excited that this is an entirely student-run newspaper. For a journalist, critical thinking is the most essential skill. I am particularly interested in thinking critically about the diasporas created by war and climate change, resulting in wave after wave of refugee “crises”. This is a topic I hope to dedicate my journalism career to covering and explaining. I look forward to studying with Professor Edgar Garcia, a notable expert on diasporas.
In this case, the admissions officer can identify how the applicant will contribute to UChicago, why he is invested in attending, and what excites him about studying there.
There is no need for him to lard his claims with adjectives, adverbs and superlatives when he is doing the job of demonstrating how he would be a good fit and add a particular value to the student body. If you are using such words as “really”, “truly”, “absolutely”, “incredible” and such, you know you don’t have much to say and need to do more homework.
UPDATES
Your letter should include any updates, such as placing in a tournament, winning an award, a tangible advancement in a project, publication, or a role in an upcoming musical.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATION LETTERS
Often a college will accept additional recommendation letters from a waitlisted student. Optimal letters would come from someone who can talk about an achievement - not necessarily another teacher, but a coach, advisor, employer, mentor or someone who oversaw your work on a research or charity project. If you have impressed a current teacher with an amazing paper or presentation, you might ask that person as well. If you focused on math and science teachers, and your English or history teacher really likes your work, that teacher would be a good candidate.
Finally, consider this when thinking about another recommender: the college has deferred instead of rejected your application because you meet their qualifications, but they don’t yet have a compelling reason to accept you. They are putting together a class which will combine a variety of regions of the country and the world, ethnicities, skills, viewpoints, and characteristics. Have you done something unusually clever or generous? Have you demonstrated exceptional curiosity, leadership, or people skills? Are you in the midst of an exceptional capstone project? Find what makes you exceptional, and choose a recommender who will emphasize that.
Finally, if you know an alum of the college that has waitlisted you, ask them to write a letter as well.
Only Write a Letter if Invited to Do So
If the school does not ask for a letter of continued interest, don’t send one. MIT, for example, instead of the LOCI asks for the FUN, a form deferred applicants fill out in mid February that includes your midyear grades (even though your counselor has sent them), and other pertinent information in list form.
If you're looking for assistance with your LOCI or any part of the college application process, we're here to help! Contact us today.
Comments