What should I never include in a letter of continued interest?

A letter of continued interest can help you, but it can also hurt you. Including even one of these five things will damage your chances of getting off the waitlist.

The first is the word "waitlist." Explicitly mentioning your waitlist status creates a negative frame for your letter. Admissions officers already know your status. Your job is not to describe your situation but to show them why you are still genuinely excited about their institution. Focus entirely on your enthusiasm and forward momentum, not on the circumstance that prompted the letter.

The second is any negativity or expression of disappointment. A letter of continued interest should be optimistic and forward-looking. Expressing frustration, disappointment, or even subtle resignation reflects poorly on your attitude and resilience. Admissions committees want students who remain positive when facing challenges. Keep your tone enthusiastic and focused on the future without any undercurrent of complaint or grievance.

The third is information already present in your original application. Repeating what admissions officers have already read wastes their time and signals that you have nothing new to offer. They have reviewed your original file. Use the space instead for deep, specific reflection on why this school is the right fit for you, how you would engage with its particular resources, and how you plan to contribute to its community in ways your original application did not fully capture.

The fourth is naming other colleges that admitted you. Mentioning other acceptances comes across as leveraging or comparing institutions, which alienates admissions officers. They want students who genuinely want to attend their specific school, not students who see it as one option among several. The moment you reference another school's offer, you have signaled that your commitment to this institution is conditional. Focus exclusively on why this particular school remains your first choice.

The fifth is bragging about new academic accomplishments. That function belongs to your guidance counselor's advocacy call, not your letter. If you were waitlisted rather than rejected, you have already cleared the academic bar for being considered a viable candidate. The LOCI is not the place to pile on new credentials. What it needs to do is make you as likable as possible on a personal and emotional level. The reader should finish your letter feeling that you are someone they genuinely want on their campus. Leave the new achievements for your counselor to raise when they call on your behalf.