What should I include in a Fordham waitlist letter to show continued interest?

A strong Fordham waitlist letter should do three things: clearly reaffirm that Fordham remains a top choice, provide meaningful updates since you applied, and explain specifically why Fordham is still a strong fit for you.

Start by thanking the admissions office for keeping you under consideration and state directly that you would like to remain on the waitlist. If that is true, say Fordham is one of your top choices, and if you would absolutely attend if admitted, you can say that clearly.

Then give concrete updates. Include stronger grades, notable senior-year accomplishments, leadership roles, awards, new projects, performances, service work, or anything that adds to your candidacy. Keep this section factual and selective. You do not need to restate your whole resume.

After that, make the Fordham-specific part as tailored as possible. Mention the campus you prefer if relevant, the school or major you are interested in, and a few real details that connect to your goals. That could be a particular academic program, internship access in New York, Jesuit values, research, service opportunities, or a student organization that genuinely fits your interests.

The key is to sound specific, not like you pasted the same paragraph into letters for five colleges. For example, saying you are excited by Fordham’s broad opportunities is weak. Saying you are especially drawn to Fordham College at Rose Hill because of its undergraduate research in psychology and commitment to cura personalis is much stronger.

Also include any new contact you have had with Fordham, such as an information session, campus visit, or conversation with a student or admissions representative, if it genuinely strengthened your interest.

Keep the letter to about one page, polished and direct. The tone should be enthusiastic but calm. Avoid sounding desperate, apologizing for weaknesses, or repeating your personal statement.

A simple structure is: brief thank-you and continued interest, 1 short paragraph of updates, 1 short paragraph on why Fordham specifically, and a closing that reaffirms your interest.