A Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI) is a written communication sent to an art school’s admissions office after being placed on a waitlist. It is one of the few actions a waitlisted applicant can take to meaningfully strengthen their position. Writing an effective art school LOCI requires a specific approach — different from the personal statement, and different from a generic expression of enthusiasm.
| School | Acceptance Rate | Annual Tuition | Top Programs |
|---|---|---|---|
| RISD | ~20% | $58,000+ | Illustration, Graphic Design, ID |
| CalArts | ~24% | $55,000+ | Animation, Fine Arts, Film |
| Parsons | ~62% | $57,000+ | Fashion, Communication Design |
| SAIC | ~57% | $54,000+ | Painting, Photography, Design |
| SVA | ~72% | $50,000+ | Illustration, MFA, Film |
| Pratt | ~52% | $56,000+ | Architecture, Industrial Design |
Getting into a top US art school requires a combination of exceptional portfolio work, strong academic preparation, and genuine artistic passion. Start building your portfolio early, seek professional feedback, and tailor each application to the specific school’s culture and program strengths.
Frequently Asked Questions
A LOCI is:
- A formal confirmation that you wish to remain on the waitlist
- An opportunity to share genuine updates to your application since submission
- A specific statement of why this particular school remains your first choice
- Brief (typically 1 to 1.5 pages maximum)
A LOCI is not:
- A second personal statement
- A reiteration of your original application materials
- An emotional plea for reconsideration
- An argument that the admissions committee made an error
The most common mistake in LOCI writing is being too general (“I have always dreamed of attending RISD”) or too emotional (“I was heartbroken by the waitlist”). These approaches signal that the applicant does not have genuine new information to add — which is the primary purpose of the letter.
The Structure of an Effective Art School LOCI
Opening paragraph: Confirm intent and reference specific decision
Dear RISD Admissions Committee,
I am writing to confirm that RISD remains my first choice among my college options, and that I would like to remain on your waitlist for the Class of 2030. Since submitting my application in January, I have had the opportunity to further develop my practice, and I would like to share those developments with you.
Middle section: Specific updates since submission (the most important part)
This is where the LOCI earns its value. Be specific and factual:
- New portfolio work: describe 2 to 3 pieces completed since submission, with images if the school allows attachments (check policy first)
- Any exhibition, publication, recognition, or award received since submission
- A residency, summer program, or workshop attended
- A significant project completed, a commission fulfilled, or a collaboration undertaken
- An improved TOEFL score if relevant
Example:
Since my application, I have completed three new pieces that extend the investigation of material layering I introduced in my submitted portfolio. [Brief description of the work and what it demonstrates.] Additionally, my drawing from observation series was selected for inclusion in [Exhibition Name] in February.
Closing paragraph: Specific articulation of continued first-choice commitment
Explain specifically — not generically — why this school remains your first choice:
RISD remains my first choice because [specific curriculum element, faculty member whose work intersects with your interests, RISD Museum access for your research into historical materials, the specific studio culture in the Illustration department, etc.]. I am committed to attending RISD if offered admission and would be grateful for the opportunity to contribute to your community.
Art School LOCI: The Portfolio Update Consideration
Some art schools allow waitlisted applicants to submit additional portfolio images with their LOCI. Check each school’s specific policy:
- RISD: Contact the admissions office to ask about their waitlist update policy
- Parsons: Similar — ask specifically
- CalArts: Ask about process for waitlisted applicants
If portfolio updates are permitted, submit only 2 to 4 images of genuinely new, strong work — not a comprehensive new portfolio. The goal is to demonstrate development since submission, not to resubmit a complete portfolio.
Timing: When to Send the LOCI
Send the LOCI within 1 to 2 weeks of receiving the waitlist notification. Do not wait until late April. Admissions offices begin reviewing waitlist materials and making preliminary decisions about which applicants to advance before May 1 — sending the LOCI early ensures it is available for those preliminary reviews.
Format and Delivery
공식 정보: College Art Association
- Format: Formal letter or formal email, addressed to the admissions director or admissions office by name
- Length: 1 to 1.5 pages maximum (approximately 400 to 600 words)
- Tone: Professional, specific, and confident — not emotional or desperate
- Attachments: Include portfolio images only if school policy permits; contact the admissions office to confirm before attaching
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send more than one LOCI? One LOCI is appropriate. Sending multiple letters — especially if they repeat the same information — reads as excessive and anxious. If genuinely significant new information arises after sending the first LOCI (a major award, a significant exhibition), a brief second communication is acceptable.
Should I ask teachers or mentors to send letters of support? This is rarely productive unless the school has specifically invited additional recommendation letters for waitlisted applicants. Unsolicited letters from third parties are not typically part of waitlist evaluation and may not be reviewed.
Should the LOCI be in English? Yes. All formal communications with US art school admissions offices should be in English.
미국 미대 입시에서 가장 중요한 것은 지금 시작하는 것입니다. 완벽한 준비를 기다리다가 타이밍을 놓치는 경우가 많습니다. 현재 실력에 상관없이, 포트폴리오가 없어도 상담을 통해 방향을 잡을 수 있습니다. 로얄블루의 전문가들은 학생의 현재 위치에서 목표 대학까지 가장 빠르고 효율적인 경로를 찾아드립니다. 합격의 문은 준비된 학생에게 열립니다. 그 준비를 지금 로얄블루와 함께 시작하세요. 20년의 경험이 여러분의 성공을 보장합니다.