Last week, we did a post about the difference between having your law school application waitlisted versus put on hold. For those in the latter camp, one of the recommended steps to strengthen your potential for acceptance is writing a letter of continued interest (going forward, an “LOCI”). This week, we’re going to discuss the contents of such a letter in more detail.

Essentially, an LOCI is a brief summation of your continuing interest in the school (as you, junior detective, may have deduced from the title of the letter). I’d recommend writing the letter in three paragraphs.

Paragraph 1: Why ____ Law School?

Your first paragraph should reiterate your interest in a particular aspect of the school. For example, if there is a particular clinic or legal interest center you’re interested in, you should mention that. Tell the admission’s committee what sets their institution apart and why that appeals to you. I’d recommend digging around the website a little to see what the particular school is touting.

Paragraph 2: Why are you a more attractive candidate than you were before?

You should sell yourself as an applicant in the second paragraph. When I wrote an LOCI during my admissions cycle, I had received a new job in the interim between my initial application and the time of writing. And that job was none other than an instructor position at the nationally acclaimed test prep institution known around the country as Blueprint LSAT Prep (#shamelessplug). I used the job as an opportunity to present myself as a better communicator and critical thinker.

Paragraph 3: Why not another school?

Your last paragraph, in addition to wrapping up and signaling your interest even more clearly, is an opportunity to name drop some of the other offers you’re considering. For example, let’s say you were admitted into X school, which is higher ranked than Y school. You might want to mention that offer, and any accompanying financial aid offer, to both state why you’re still seriously considering Y school and as a way of further demonstrating your value to the school.

This is by no means the only way to write an LOCI, but it is a succinct way to both demonstrate your interest and make yourself a more attractive applicant. As a general rule, you should take every opportunity to write supplemental essays or anything else that a school suggests. The more ways you can prove your commitment, the better off your application. It is a grind, but it is more than worth it to increase your financial aid offers and your earning potential.