If you applied Early Decision or Early Action, you may have received notification that you’ve been deferred. It’s the purgatory of the college admissions process. You definitely weren’t accepted and yet you definitely weren’t rejected.

Many counselors recommend that their students respond to a deferral or wait-listing with a “letter of continued interest” — now officially known as a LOCI.

What is a LOCI? It’s an email or snail mail letter that a student sends directly to the admissions office and, if possible, directly to the college admissions representative responsible for their high school. The purpose of the letter is to let the college know that you are still very interested in attending and why.

Remember to follow the instructions that accompanied your deferral notification. If they tell you, “Please don’t send any new letters of recommendations,” then don’t. Ask yourself if you are still very interested in attending the school and determine if you want to make the effort.

What to include

Admissions officers’ time is valuable, so make every effort to share only new information and to be concise. A lengthy, boring LOCI could hurt more than it can help.

- Have you won any awards?

- Do you have new, improved test scores?

- Did you get a job?

- Have you taken on a leadership role in extracurricular activities?

- Have you been involved in any events this past fall or raised money for charity?

- If you have sat in on a webinar or a virtual meeting, that’s important to share.

If you don’t have much “news,” focus on why the college is a good academic fit. Do your homework and understand specific majors, specific courses and specific opportunities.

Start and end your letter with a thank-you.

Lee Shulman Bierer is an independent college adviser based in Charlotte, N.C. Visit her website College Admissions Strategies.