How should I write a letter of continued interest to Franklin & Marshall College?

You're already thinking about this the right way. Accepting your spot on the waitlist is the essential first step, and now a well-crafted letter of continued interest is the single most impactful thing you can do to improve your chances of being admitted off F&M's waitlist.

Before getting into the substance of the letter, let's talk about tone, because this is where most students stumble. The admissions officer reading your letter chose not to admit you in the initial round. That's an inherently awkward dynamic, so your job is to make the experience of reading your letter as enjoyable and natural as possible. I strongly recommend opening with something lighthearted, even a little playful. Do not reference the waitlist decision itself, do not express disappointment, and do not begin with anything that forces the reader to relive the fact that they passed on you. A warm, upbeat, and confident opening sets the tone for everything that follows and immediately distinguishes you from the dozens of other waitlisted students whose letters begin with some variation of "I was disappointed to learn that I was not admitted."

After that opening, transition into something intellectually substantive that connects your academic interests to something specific happening at F&M right now. This is where your letter stops being a generic expression of interest and becomes a memorable piece of writing. For example, if your science fair work involved ecology or environmental science, you could discuss a recent development in that field and then connect it directly to how F&M's Connections curriculum would allow you to explore that topic across disciplines from day one, maybe a Connections seminar like "Environmental Impacts of War" or "Forests, Wood & Culture" that intersects with your interests in ways you hadn't considered before applying. You could talk about how the College House system, where your Connections seminar determines the residential community you belong to for all four years, represents exactly the kind of integration of intellectual and social life that excites you. Be specific. Name actual courses, actual programs, actual professors if their research connects to your niche. Admissions officers at a school like F&M, where demonstrated interest is a factor in their evaluation process, want to see that you've done your homework and that your enthusiasm is grounded in substance.

From there, paint a vivid picture of who you would be as a person on F&M's campus. This is not a restatement of your application, it's a window into the version of you that exists at Franklin & Marshall specifically. Think about what you'd do during Common Hour, which clubs or organizations you'd join, how you'd contribute to your College House's community, whether you'd take advantage of F&M's undergraduate research opportunities, which 65 percent of students participate in. The goal is to make the reader feel that by not admitting you, they are missing out on a specific, irreplaceable person who would make their campus better.

Yes, absolutely include your updates. Your regional science fair placement and improved grades are exactly the kinds of tangible, concrete developments that belong in a letter of continued interest. Present them naturally within the flow of the letter rather than as a bulleted list of accomplishments.

To close, thank the reader for their time, and then make an unambiguous commitment: if you are offered a seat, you will accept it immediately. Admissions offices do not want to extend waitlist offers to students who might turn them down. Remove all doubt. If F&M is truly your top choice, say so in terms that leave no room for interpretation.

One final piece of advice: after you send the letter, have your guidance counselor reach out to the admissions office by phone or email to reinforce your updates and affirm your commitment to enrolling. This kind of coordinated follow-up signals seriousness and helps keep your name top of mind as the committee revisits the waitlist.

If you'd like a professional set of eyes on your letter before you send it, you can submit your draft to me through Sundial's essay review service and I'll provide detailed feedback to make sure it hits every note it needs to. You can also schedule a free consultation with me to talk through your overall waitlist strategy and how I can help you put together the strongest possible letter of continued interest.