Should I send a letter of continued interest after being waitlisted or deferred?

Yes, in most cases it makes sense to send a letter of continued interest after a deferral, and often after a waitlist decision too, as long as the college allows it. It can help because it confirms you are still genuinely interested, gives admissions a reason to revisit your file, and lets you add meaningful updates like stronger grades, awards, leadership, or new accomplishments. It is usually not helpful if the college explicitly says they do not want extra materials or if you have nothing new to say.

For a deferral, a LOCI is usually more worthwhile because your application is still actively under consideration in the regular decision round. A short, specific letter can reinforce fit with the school and show growth since you applied. For a waitlist, it can still matter, but the effect depends more on how that college manages its waitlist and whether it invites updates.

The best LOCI is brief, sincere, and concrete. It should clearly say the school remains a top choice, include a few real updates, and connect those updates to what you would contribute on campus. If the college is truly your first choice and you would enroll if admitted, it is appropriate to say that directly.

What to avoid is just as important. Do not send repeated messages, dramatic appeals, or generic statements about loving the school. Do not submit a LOCI if the admissions office says not to send additional materials, because ignoring instructions can hurt more than help.

A good rule is this: send one thoughtful LOCI if the school permits it and you can offer either meaningful updates or a clear, credible statement of continued interest. If there are no updates and the college discourages extra communication, leaving it alone is usually the better move.