Crafting Compelling Letters of Recommendation and Continued Interest for College Applications

Letters of recommendation (LORs) and letters of continued interest play a significant role in the college application process. Most competitive schools require letters of recommendation, and they are read with great care and are considered one of the most important parts of your application. A strong recommendation letter can make a student stand out from the other applicants, and ultimately tip the needle in their favor. Conversely, a well-crafted letter of continued interest can reinforce a student’s commitment even after deferral or waitlisting.

The Importance of Letters of Recommendation

College letters of recommendation are important for several reasons:

Objectivity: They give the admissions committee an informed, independent, third-party perspective of the applicant.
Filling the Knowledge Gap: The letter can provide important information about the applicant not otherwise available on the application, like the way she participates in class or the kind of friend he is.
Stand Out Among Your Peers: Finally, the letter can help students stand out from among their peers.

Because of their usefulness in identifying great candidates, letters of recommendation are often also required for internships, summer programs, and employment opportunities, and for scholarships and special academic programs. As a result, it is really important to get the best letters of recommendation you can, early and often.

Key Elements of an Effective Letter of Recommendation

The best recommendation letters provide some idea of who the person is - the whole person. When writing a letter of recommendation, it's important to begin by clearly explaining how you know the student. This helps establish the credibility and context of your endorsement.

Many high school counselors recommend beginning with a statement of how you know the student (did you teach them in a subject, coach them in a sport or supervise them in an internship?) and for how long you’ve known them.

Read also: Crafting Perfect Thank You Notes

Here are some key elements to include in your letter:

Conciseness: Keep it concise.
Concrete Examples: Use concrete examples, not generalizations.
Uniqueness: Make each letter unique.
Formal Structure: This is a business letter, so it should have a formal structure and be no longer than one page.
Professional Language: Use professional language and keep the tone respectful yet personal.
Context of Relationship: Mention how long you've known the student and in what capacity, whether as a teacher, coach, supervisor, or mentor. Providing this context allows the admissions committee to understand the depth of your relationship and the perspective from which you're evaluating the student.
Anecdotal Evidence: Relate a story or incident that demonstrates the student’s character: personal strengths, intellectual interests, integrity or leadership ability.
Personality Description: Describe the student’s personality.
Sincere Recommendation: Conclude with a sincere statement recommending the student to the specific college or university. Using the student’s full name again, encourage the college to contact you with any further questions.

Example of a Strong Recommendation:

"I am pleased to recommend [Student's Full Name] for admission to [College/University Name]. In [subject/class], [Student's First Name] consistently performed at a high level, showing a deep understanding of the material and a strong work ethic. Beyond academics, [Student's First Name] is known for [his/her/their] integrity, leadership, and commitment to [specific interest or field]."

Yes, you can write a general recommendation letter for multiple colleges.

Example Letter of Recommendation

It is with great pleasure that I write this recommendation letter for Brandon Thomas to support his application for admission into the engineering program at your university.

I know Brandon very well since he joined my optional Advanced Programming and Robotics class in his first year at Joy High School. Brandon is one of the top students in an extremely able class at Joy High School and one of the few exceptionally gifted students I met in my career. His diverse interests and at the same time determination and ability to focus on the areas of his special interest are among Brandon’s biggest strengths. Brandon truly impresses me with how far he is ready to go beyond regular curricular programs in order to acquire additional knowledge on specific topics.

Read also: Business Letter Writing

I was not surprised when Brandon informed me that he participated this summer in the research project conducted by the Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of Maryland in the area of Material Engineering and Science under the guidance of professor Stanely Leverbe Ph.D., full professor in the Department of Materials. The work in the laboratory with more senior and experienced research team members helped him to develop and strengthen his general laboratory skills, critical thinking, and ability to perform as a part of the team under pressure. As a result of this intensive work Brandon recently assisted in a paper that was published and presented at the International Conference on Materials in Maine.

Brandon has contributed to our community in a variety of ways, but Brandon’s most notable accomplishment was the organization of a very successful charity project for Special Hospital for Chronic Childhood Diseases Gornja Bistra. The hospital treats children up to 18 years of age who suffer from chronic diseases or diseases whose course of treatment is extremely long. These are mainly diseases of the central nervous system, endocrine or metabolic disorders, various syndromes, and other serious diseases without a prognosis for recovery. Brandon and a few of his classmates regularly volunteered in the hospital prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. Their task was to walk children with severe motor difficulties in the park and read to them whenever possible. Since this type of activity is due to the pandemic health protection measures are presently not allowed Brandon was actively seeking other ways to provide help and support to the hospital and its small patients. Since the hospital is in constant demand for specific products Brandon took the initiative and organized a charity program in order to provide necessary supplies to the hospital. The Joy High School received a special honor from the hospital board for this accomplishment and details about this charity program were published on the hospital’s official web pages.

Brandon also has the ability to successfully schedule demanding extracurricular activities around a full academic workload. When confronted with hurdles and disturbances Brandon is calm, focused, and persistent in finding the right solution. Instead of looking for excuses he works harder and smarter. Brandon’s positive can-do attitude and strong belief in his ability to improve through practice were likely shaped by his years as a basketball player and overall impressive athlete. Brandon trains with great dedication every day for a few hours and not without notable results. In 2019 Brandon as a tenth grader won with his classmates Joy High School Basketball Championship and they have won all the school championships ever since.

Brandon is a well-rounded individual who is highly motivated and committed to work hard in order to achieve his academic goals. Brandon has a passion, genuine interest, and talent for engineering and science, he has the intelligence to comprehend complex concepts and the ability to think critically. He is a self-motivated, dedicated, hardworking student and has all the determination, discipline, and persistence he needs to succeed in any undertaking he sets his mind to. Brandon clearly exhibits many qualities of a leader: charisma, integrity, maturity, determination, responsibility, and compassion. Brandon has a warm personality with an intelligent sense of humor and is respected and liked by his classmates and other peers. He radiates with confidence and easily gets along with others very well in any setting.

I strongly believe that Brandon is an ideal candidate for your demanding engineering program and therefore he has my highest recommendation.

The teacher advocates for Brandom immediately. plugs for Stacy right off the bat with a statement of outstanding ranking: Brandon is one of the top students in an extremely able class in Joy High School and one of the few exceptionally gifted students I met in my career. This letter is a strong vote of support for Brandon’s application to an engineering program. If you’d like assistance in this, or any other aspect of your college admissions journey, we’d love to be the ones to support you.

Understanding College Admission Letters

What is a College Admission Letter? A college admission letter is a formal communication sent after a student has submitted their application, especially in circumstances like deferral or waitlisting (in these scenarios, it’s commonly called a “letter of continued interest”). Unlike the personal statement or Common App essay, which introduces a student’s personality and interests in depth, the admission letter functions as a strategic reinforcement. It provides another opportunity to stand out while demonstrating initiative and persistence.

Distinguishing Admission Letters from Personal Statements

While both a admission card or letter and the personal statement (or Common App essay) contribute to a student’s application, they serve different purposes:

Personal Statement: This is the main essay included with the application, offering an in-depth introduction to a student's personality, interests, experiences, and aspirations. It is carefully crafted to showcase storytelling, introspection, and personal growth.
Admission Letter: This letter is sent after the application has been submitted, functioning as a reminder of the student’s interest in the institution. It reinforces enthusiasm, provides updates on new achievements, and demonstrates persistence.

Objectives of a Compelling Admission Letter

A compelling admission letter should achieve the following objectives:

Reaffirm Interest: Show the institution why it remains the top choice.
Highlight Key Strengths: Recap academic and extracurricular achievements.
Maintain a Professional Yet Personal Tone: Show enthusiasm while being concise and polished.

Key Components of a Strong Admission Letter

So how does a student achieve these objectives without simply rewriting their Common App personal statement? A strong post-application card or personal letter consists of several important sections, itemized below:

Engaging Introduction: Start with a respectful greeting and a concise statement of intent. Example: Dear Admissions Committee, I am writing to express my continued enthusiasm for XYZ University and to thank you for the opportunity to apply.
Why This College? Clearly articulate why the institution remains the top choice by mentioning:
- Unique academic programs that align with career goals
- Faculty, research opportunities, or campus initiatives of interest
- Positive impressions from a campus visit, webinar, or alumni interactions
Recap of Key Strengths: Admissions officers have read the full application, so keep this section brief. Mention:
- Academic achievements or awards
- Leadership in extracurricular activities
- Any relevant updates since submitting the application

Scenarios for Writing an Admission Letter

When Should You Write an Admission Letter? A student may choose to write an admission letter in several scenarios:

First-Choice School: If a student has a clear top-choice college, they can send a letter to reaffirm that commitment and enthusiasm.
Deferral Notification: If a student has been deferred, sending a well-crafted letter of continued interest (LOCI) can demonstrate ongoing engagement and provide meaningful updates.
Waitlist Status: If a student has been placed on a waitlist, a letter can serve as an opportunity to strengthen their case for admission by highlighting any recent accomplishments and reiterating their enthusiasm for the school.
Post-Interview Thank-You: If a student has had an admissions interview, a letter can express appreciation for the opportunity while reaffirming key aspects of their application.

Example College Admission Letter

Dear Admissions Committee,

I hope this message finds you well! I’m writing to express my continued enthusiasm for XYZ University and my sincere gratitude for the opportunity to apply. Since submitting my application, my excitement about joining XYZ’s vibrant academic community has only grown.

I am particularly drawn to XYZ’s commitment to hands-on research opportunities in sustainability. Having recently completed an independent research project on renewable energy, I am eager to contribute to the university’s Sustainability Research Institute. Additionally, my conversations with current students during a campus tour have reinforced my belief that XYZ’s collaborative environment would be the perfect place for me to thrive academically and personally.

Since applying, I have taken on a leadership role in my school’s Environmental Club, organizing a community-wide initiative to reduce plastic waste. This experience has strengthened my ability to lead and innovate-qualities I hope to bring to XYZ University.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I remain very excited about the possibility of joining XYZ University and contributing to its dynamic campus. Please reach out if any additional materials would be helpful.

Best regards,

Jane Doe

A sample letter like this can serve as a practical reference for students looking to craft their own.

Navigating Deferral and Waitlist Scenarios: The Letter of Continued Interest

So you’ve been waitlisted or deferred. Darn. But wait: all is not lost! You may have another chance to make your case. It lets the college know you’re still interested in attending and why.

Determining Whether to Send a Letter of Continued Interest

Should I send one to every school? Not necessarily. When you’re deferred or placed on a waiting list, follow the directions the college provides for what they want you to do next. If they specifically ask you not to send a letter, don’t! But many colleges will invite you to update your application with a letter describing your new achievements and why you are still interested in attending.

Assessing Your Chances on the Waitlist

How many students do schools typically take off the waitlist (AKA What are my chances)? In short, it depends on the year and it depends on the school. Note that just because X school accepted Y percentage of students off their wait list one year doesn’t mean they’ll accept that same number the following year.

“If you’re placed on the waitlist (WL), the first thing to consider is if you want to prolong the decision process. Assess how that waitlist school stacks up against the other schools you’ve been admitted to. If you feel a deep connection to that school, a few more weeks of uncertainty may be worth it. But you'll need to express your continued interest to the WL school. While it's imperative to respond in the school's requested format, you can often send an additional letter. Strategy is key, though. Your high school counselor may be able to help you formulate one. If you have a connection with your admission counselor, this is a good time to reconnect. Ask the admission officer to recommend what you might do to show interest. Some schools allow WL students to provide further information (e.g., updated grades, new recommendation letters, a refreshed “why us” essay, a video response, or maybe even a meeting with the admission officer). Do not overdo your response; observe requirements and be discerning about what you include. Looking into the school’s WL history can reveal helpful insights. For example: How many WL students were accepted in the previous year? When June arrives, you may need to let go of your WL school. Developing connections with schools that admitted you can help you transition to college. You'll want to earnestly prepare for this next step in your life.

Content of a Letter of Continued Interest

What should I include in a Letter of Continued Interest? New information. The school has made a preliminary decision that your application is a “maybe.” You’re a competitive applicant, but you didn’t quite make the cut. New information is the best way to turn that “maybe” into a “yes.”

Here’s a paragraph-by-paragraph breakdown of what you might include in your letter: Thank the reader for reevaluating your materials and reaffirm that X school is the place for you.

A great example letter:

Dear Ms. Veronica Lauren,

My name is Zola Avery, and I’m a hopeful Yalie from Bergen County, New Jersey. Though deferred from the Early Action pool, I remain absolutely convinced that Yale is the school for me. I’d like to thank the admissions department for reevaluating my materials.

Notice how simple, clear, and straightforward.

This past weekend, I got the opportunity to spend some time up in New Haven for the Yale University Model United Nations Conference (YMUN), serving as part of the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction Committee (UNISDR) and debating rising sea levels and volcanic eruptions. Speaking with current Yale students made me realize more than ever before that I was with my people-warm, incredibly funny, artistic in their own way, and unabashedly inquisitive. This weekend, I was where I belong.

I love the specifics she includes when describing the students she met: “warm, incredibly funny, artistic in their own way, and unabashedly inquisitive”

I would also like to take this time to briefly tell the admissions department about a few things that have happened since I submitted my Early Action application. First, I wrote, illustrated, and published a children’s book centered around gender inclusivity in STEM fields, with all proceeds going towards supporting curriculum development and outreach for the Stereotype Project, an organization I’ve been running for the past four years that focuses on combating stereotypes through art. I very much believe the magic of reading is magnified when the book is in its physical form (and I think my brother and sister, 5 and 9, would definitely agree).

Here she includes a few updates told in a succinct, straightforward way.

Secondly, I’d like to add the following honors to my admissions file:

Best Delegate, Yale University Model United Nations Conference
Outstanding Delegate, Bronx Science High School Model United Nations Conference
Member of the Andrea Rubino Sheridan Chapter of National Honor Society

Note that these are new awards and she is not re-hashing what was in her application already, which can sound desperate.

My whole life I have worked to draw connections and bridge the gap between science, social justice, and art. Whether wandering through the Yale Art Museum, bringing together feuding nations as part of YMUN, or listening to Dr. Woo-Kyoung Ahn speak about causal learning and the relationship between genetic explanations and psychopathology, I know that no community will help me flourish quite like Yale’s would. I know that there is nowhere else I’d rather create the future.

Here she offers a few “Why us?” details that she didn’t include in her original application.

Again, thank you for taking the time to reevaluate my application.

Impact and Submission of the Letter

Will a letter of continued interest really help? Maybe. It depends on how the school uses its waitlist and what they’re looking to add to the first-year class. Colleges might use the waitlist to achieve gender balance, beef up enrollment in certain academic programs, or add certain talents. For schools that track demonstrated interest, the LOCI may matter a bit more. Some schools may not even go to their waitlist in a given year, as they’ll fill their class through the early and regular decision rounds. Having said that, ask yourself, “Will I regret it if I don’t write a letter?” If so, it may be worth a shot-you never know. And definitely write a letter if they ask you to and you’re still interested.

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