A letter of continued interest tells an admissions office that you still want to attend, even after a waitlist or a deferral.
A short, warm letter that adds new achievements and explains your fit can help your application stand out.
This guide gives you 6 free sample letters for waitlisted undergraduates, deferred applicants, transfer students, law, MBA and nursing applicants.
A free builder then lets you tap, edit, print or copy your own letter. Every letter opens with its purpose and ends with a thank you.
The people, schools and details in these letters are fictional. Replace them with your own true information, and follow your school’s instructions for sending your letter.
6 Letter of Continued Interest Samples
Quick jump: Waitlisted UndergraduateAfter a DeferralWaitlisted Transfer ApplicantWaitlisted Law ApplicantWaitlisted MBA ApplicantWaitlisted Nursing ApplicantFree letter of continued interest builder
Letter of Continued Interest for a Waitlisted Undergraduate
215 Elm Street
Houston, TX 77002
sophia.martinez@email.com | (555) 010-0931
November 13, 2026
Admissions Committee
Office of Admissions
Cedar Ridge University
1 University Plaza
Dayton, OH 45402
Re: Letter of Continued Interest, Sophia Martinez, Applicant ID 482915
Dear Admissions Committee,
I am writing to share my continued interest in Cedar Ridge University and to thank you for placing me on the waitlist. Cedar Ridge remains my first choice, and I would be honored to join the incoming class.
Since I applied, I earned a 3.9 GPA this semester, including an A in my most challenging course. Your small seminars and student research opportunities match how I learn best, and I hope to contribute through the debate team and community service. Cedar Ridge is my first choice, and I will enroll if I am admitted.
Thank you again for considering my application.
Sincerely,
Sophia Martinez
Letter of Continued Interest After a Deferral
1420 Lakeshore Drive
Chicago, IL 60611
ethan.brooks@email.com | (555) 010-0942
November 13, 2026
Admissions Committee
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Harbor Point College
200 College Avenue
Providence, RI 02903
Re: Deferral Update, Ethan Brooks, Applicant ID 739204
Dear Admissions Committee,
This letter is an update to my application to Harbor Point College and a reaffirmation of my interest after my deferral. Thank you for the chance to remain in your Regular Decision pool.
Harbor Point is my first choice because of its close faculty mentoring and its focus on community service. Since my early application, I was named captain of our debate team and led a service project that raised $4,200 for a local food bank. My first-semester senior-year grades have been sent by my counselor.
If I am admitted, I will enroll. Thank you for your time and careful review.
Sincerely,
Ethan Brooks
Letter of Continued Interest for a Waitlisted Transfer Applicant
1420 Peachtree Lane, Apt 6
Atlanta, GA 30309
jasmine.carter@email.com | (555) 010-0957
November 13, 2026
Transfer Admissions Committee
Office of Admissions
Summit Valley University
500 Valley Road
Denver, CO 80204
Re: Letter of Continued Interest, Jasmine Carter, Transfer Applicant
Dear Transfer Admissions Committee,
I am writing to confirm my continued interest in transferring to Summit Valley University and to thank you for placing me on the waitlist. Your engineering program is my first choice, and I will enroll if I am admitted.
At my community college this semester, I earned a 4.0 GPA in calculus and physics and began tutoring 8 students a week. I would bring that same steady effort to your student chapter of engineers, where I hope to join the design team.
I am glad to send my updated transcript or answer any questions. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Jasmine Carter
Letter of Continued Interest for a Waitlisted Law Applicant
88 Harbor Street
Boston, MA 02110
daniel.park@email.com | (555) 010-0968
November 13, 2026
Admissions Committee
Maple Crest School of Law
300 Court Street
Albany, NY 12207
Re: Letter of Continued Interest, Daniel Park, Applicant ID 561830
Dear Admissions Committee,
I am writing to thank you for placing me on the waitlist at Maple Crest School of Law and to confirm that it is my first choice. If I am admitted, I will enroll.
Since I applied, I was promoted to senior paralegal at my firm, where I now guide 3 junior colleagues on housing-law cases. Your Housing Justice Clinic fits my goal of serving tenants, and I hope to bring my casework experience to the clinic.
I welcome the chance to answer any questions. Thank you for your time and careful review.
Respectfully,
Daniel Park
Letter of Continued Interest for a Waitlisted MBA Applicant
3310 Lake Street
Minneapolis, MN 55408
rachel.torres@email.com | (555) 010-0975
November 13, 2026
MBA Admissions Committee
Bay Meadow Graduate School of Business
750 Bayview Drive
Madison, WI 53703
Re: Letter of Continued Interest, Rachel Torres, Applicant ID 204718
Dear MBA Admissions Committee,
This letter is my update and my thanks. I am grateful that Bay Meadow has kept my application on the waitlist, and the full-time MBA program remains my first choice.
Since I applied, I led a product launch that grew my team’s sales by 18% in one quarter. Your operations lab and its partnerships with regional manufacturers match my goal of leading supply chain teams, and I would contribute my launch experience to my cohort.
I will enroll if admitted. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Rachel Torres
Letter of Continued Interest for a Waitlisted Nursing Applicant
615 Pine Street, Apt 9C
Seattle, WA 98101
tiffany.nguyen@email.com | (555) 010-0983
November 13, 2026
Admissions Committee
School of Nursing
Stone Harbor College
90 Harbor Way
Portland, ME 04101
Re: Letter of Continued Interest, Tiffany Nguyen, Applicant ID 318476
Dear Admissions Committee,
I am writing to express my continued interest in the nursing program at Stone Harbor College and to thank you for keeping my application under consideration. Stone Harbor is my first choice, and I will enroll if I am admitted.
Since I applied, I earned my certified nursing assistant credential and completed 120 volunteer hours at a community clinic. The program’s early clinical placements match how I learn best, and I hope to bring a calm, caring presence to your classmates and patients.
I would be glad to send my updated records. Thank you for your time and careful review.
Sincerely,
Tiffany Nguyen
Free Letter of Continued Interest Builder
Step 1. Which situation fits you?
Step 2. Which update leads your letter?
Step 3. Tap the lines to add. Three to five keeps the letter short.
Step 4. Click any text in the letter below and type or modify to make it yours.
Replace the names, school, program and every detail with your own true information. Say the school is your first choice and that you will enroll only if both are true for you, and send the letter the way the school asks, such as through your applicant portal.
215 Elm Street
Houston, TX 77002
sophia.martinez@email.com | (555) 010-0931
November 13, 2026
Admissions Committee
Office of Admissions
Cedar Ridge University
1 University Plaza
Dayton, OH 45402
Re: Letter of Continued Interest, Sophia Martinez, Applicant ID 482915
Dear Admissions Committee,
I am writing to share my continued interest in Cedar Ridge University and to thank you for placing me on the waitlist. Cedar Ridge remains my first choice, and I would be honored to join the incoming class.
This letter is an update to my application to Cedar Ridge University and a reaffirmation of my interest after my deferral. Thank you for the chance to remain in your Regular Decision pool.
I am writing to confirm my continued interest in the Master of Public Health program at Cedar Ridge University and to thank you for keeping my application under consideration.
Since I applied, I earned a 3.9 GPA this semester, including an A in my most challenging course.
Since I applied, I was named captain of our debate team and led a service project that raised $4,200 for a local food bank.
Since I applied, I completed a volunteer project at a community clinic, where I helped serve 120 families.
Thank you for your time and careful review of my application.
Cedar Ridge is my first choice, and I will enroll if I am admitted.
Your small seminars and student research opportunities match how I learn best.
I hope to contribute to campus through the debate team and community service.
I visited campus in October and met students who made me feel at home.
I will send a short update if anything significant changes.
I am glad to answer any questions or send additional materials.
I have kept my grades strong and stayed active in my school community.
Thank you for the time you give to every applicant.
I am excited by the chance to learn from your faculty.
I welcome the chance to speak with an admissions officer.
The program fits my goal of working in community health.
Thank you again for considering my application.
Sincerely,
Sophia Martinez
To save your letter: press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Cmd+P (Mac) and choose Save as PDF. Only the letter prints. To copy it, select the text inside the letter and press Ctrl+C or Cmd+C.
Which Starting Point Fits You?
| Your situation | Builder choice | What to highlight |
|---|---|---|
| The school placed you on the waitlist | Waitlisted | Thanks, first-choice status, new grades or achievements and why the school fits you |
| The school deferred your early application | Deferred | Your own voice, why it is your first choice, new grades and new activities |
| You applied to a graduate, law, MBA or nursing program | Graduate or professional program | New work, service or results, plus the specific program features that fit your goals |
What to Include in a Letter of Continued Interest
| Part | What to write |
|---|---|
| Your details | Your name, address, email and phone number |
| Date | Today’s date |
| Recipient | The admissions office’s name and address, or the committee |
| Subject line | A short line with your name and application ID, if you have one |
| Opening | Thank the school and state your continued interest |
| First choice | Say it is your first choice, and that you will enroll if admitted, only if both are true |
| Update | New grades, awards, leadership, work or service since you applied |
| Fit | Specific programs, faculty or opportunities and what you will contribute |
| Closing | A thank you, your name and a way to reach you |
What to Say and What to Skip
| Say this | Skip this |
|---|---|
| Sincere thanks for the review | Complaints or frustration |
| Why the school is your first choice | A long recap of your application |
| New achievements since you applied | Mentions of other schools or pressure tactics |
| What you will contribute to the community | Extra recommendation letters, if the school asks for your own voice |
| That you will enroll, if it is true | Promising to enroll if you are not sure |
| A short, positive tone | Emailing the letter if the school asks for a portal upload |
What to Do After a Waitlist or Deferral
These steps come from College Board and university admissions guidance. A deferral means the school is still interested, and it is not a rejection.
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| Decide | Stay on the waitlist only if you are really interested in the school |
| Respond | Tell the school you want to stay on the list; accepting a spot is not binding |
| Deposit elsewhere | Choose the best school that accepted you and send your deposit |
| Check your standing | Ask the admissions office whether the school ranks its waitlist |
| Write the letter | Share new achievements and make the case for why you fit |
| Keep going | Keep your grades strong and stay involved in your activities |
| Be patient | Waitlist offers come only after the May 1 decision deadline, and some arrive in the summer |
Mistakes to Avoid
- Repeating your application. Add new achievements and keep the letter short.
- Complaining. Stay positive and professional.
- Promising to enroll when you are unsure. Say it only if it is true.
- Missing the school’s instructions. Use the portal or form the school asks for.
- Sending too much. One strong letter beats several updates.
- Forgetting to proofread. Read it twice before you send it.
Letter of Continued Interest Checklist
Tick each item as you finish. Your letter is ready when the counter reaches 5.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a letter of continued interest?
It is a short letter to an admissions office after you are waitlisted or deferred. It thanks the school, says you are still interested, shares new achievements and explains why you fit.
How do I start a letter of continued interest?
Open with your purpose: thank the school and state your continued interest in the school or program. Then share your update and why it is your first choice.
Should I say I will enroll if admitted?
Say it only if it is true. College Board guidance says to say you will enroll if accepted, but only if you are certain you will.
What should I include?
Gratitude, your continued interest, why the school is your first choice, new grades, awards or activities, and what you will contribute.
How long should it be?
The sources used for this page give no word count, and the law school guide calls the letter concise. One short page is a good goal.
What is the difference between a waitlist and a deferral?
A deferral means admissions is still interested and will review your application with the larger Regular Decision pool; it is not a rejection. A waitlist means you may be offered a spot later if space opens.
When should I send the letter?
Send it soon after your decision, and check the school’s instructions and deadlines. One university’s deferral page asked for updates by February 1.
How should I send it?
Follow the school’s instructions. One university asks deferred applicants to upload the letter to the applicant portal rather than email it.
What are my chances after a waitlist?
A 2019 NACAC report cited by College Board found colleges admit about 20% of students who remain on waitlists. The rate varies by college and is usually lower at the most selective schools.
Should I send more recommendation letters?
Only if the school asks. One university’s deferral guidance advises against additional recommendation letters, because your own voice matters most.
Conclusion
A good letter of continued interest is short, positive and specific. Open with your thanks, share what is new, explain why the school is your first choice and say you will enroll if it is true. Use the builder above to write yours today.
Related Reading
- Sample letter of intent for graduate school
- Motivation letter for graduate admission
- Letter of interest for nursing school
- College recommendation letter from a teacher
Sources: College Board, What to Do if You’re Waitlisted; University of Notre Dame Admissions, Deferred Decision? Here Are Your Next Steps; University at Buffalo School of Law, Law School Waitlist Tips: Writing a Powerful Letter of Continued Interest. The people, schools and details in these letters are fictional. Always follow your own school’s instructions.