QUICK ANSWER
A letter of continued interest (LOCI) works only inside each school’s waitlist rules, so read those first. Some schools welcome updates; others refuse them. UCLA, for example, asks waitlisted students to opt in by 15 April and states that additional materials “cannot be accepted” — updates go only in the space on its waitlist form.
Where a letter is welcome, keep it short and concrete: confirm that you will enrol if admitted (only if true), give one or two real updates — ideally new work — and name specific reasons the school fits you. Meanwhile, secure a place elsewhere by 1 May.
Being waitlisted at an art school is frustrating because the decision is out of your hands and the timeline is unclear. A good letter will not change a school’s numbers, but it can make sure the admissions office has current, accurate information about you when spaces open. This guide explains how to write one that helps, and when not to write one at all.
LETTER PART 1
Check the Rules Before Writing
| What the school says | What to do |
|---|---|
| Invites updates or a letter | Send one letter, soon after you opt in to the waitlist |
| Provides a form with space for updates | Use the form; do not send separate letters or materials |
| States that extra materials are not accepted | Do not send them; they will not be reviewed |
| Says nothing | Send one short letter to your admissions contact; avoid repeated follow-ups |
UCLA example from its first-year waitlist page, checked October 2026: opt in by 15 April; consideration begins after 1 May if space becomes available; updates only through the waitlist form.
Most art schools publish less detail than UCLA, so the waitlist email itself is often the best guide. Read it closely for instructions about updates, portfolios and deadlines. For the broader waitlist strategy, see our waitlist strategy guide.
LETTER PART 2
What the Letter Should Contain
- A clear statement of intent. If the school is your first choice and you would enrol if admitted, say so directly. Only say it if it is true.
- One or two real updates. New work made since applying is the most useful update for an art applicant; new grades or a significant exhibition can also help.
- Specific reasons for fit. Name a programme, a studio course, a facility or a faculty member’s work you have actually looked at — and explain why it matters to your work.
- Brief thanks. One sentence is enough.
Keep it to one page or less. Admissions staff read many of these in a short period; a focused letter is easier to act on than a long one.
LETTER PART 3
Showing New Work
For art applicants, new work is the strongest update — if the school accepts it. If it does, send a small number of pieces that show growth since the application, with a sentence on each. If the school’s portal or form allows only text, describe the work briefly and offer to share images if helpful. Never send work through a channel the school has said it will not review.
A SIMPLE STRUCTURE
Opening: thank the office and confirm continued interest. Middle: one paragraph of updates, one paragraph on fit with specific programme details. Close: a clear statement of intent and your contact details. Write it yourself; a teacher can review it, but the voice must be yours.
LETTER PART 4
Timing and the 1 May Deadline
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| When you are waitlisted | Opt in by the school’s deadline and read its instructions |
| Within one to two weeks | Send your letter or form update, if allowed |
| By 1 May | Commit and pay a deposit at a school that admitted you |
| May to summer | Respond quickly if a waitlist offer arrives; ask about deposit refunds before committing elsewhere |
Waitlist offers can arrive after 1 May, sometimes into the summer, as UCLA notes. That is why securing a place elsewhere matters: a waitlist is a possibility, not a plan. Before accepting a late offer, check any deposit you would forfeit and confirm visa timing, since the I-20 must come from the school you will attend. Our article on what happens after you submit covers the I-20 steps.
LETTER PART 5
Frequently Asked Questions
Should every waitlisted student send a LOCI?
Only if the school accepts letters or updates. If it states that extra materials will not be reviewed, follow that instruction.
How long should a letter of continued interest be?
One page or less. Focus on intent, one or two real updates and specific reasons for fit.
Can I send new portfolio work?
Only if the school invites it. If it does, send a few pieces that show growth since you applied.
When do waitlist decisions arrive?
Often after 1 May. UCLA, for example, begins considering waitlisted students after 1 May and updates them through the summer.
Should I deposit at another school while waiting?
Yes. Commit to a school that admitted you by 1 May, and check deposit terms in case a waitlist offer arrives later.
ROYAL BLUE ART & DESIGN
For 19 years we have prepared Korean students for U.S. art schools from our studio in Apgujeong, Seoul. Our public record lists 1,099 acceptances confirmed directly with students. When a student is waitlisted, we help read the school’s rules, decide whether to write, and choose the new work worth sending. Call 02-3446-5929 or book a consultation.
UCLA waitlist policy from its first-year waitlist page, checked October 2026. Other schools’ rules vary; follow each school’s own instructions. If something here has changed, tell us and we will correct it.
Related reading: Waitlist Strategy · Appealing a Rejection · After You Submit · Handling Waitlists · Royal Blue Results