Navigating the Waitlist: From a Student Who Was On It
Published May 6, 2025
Receiving the email that you are on the Waitlist is not what most students hope for, but it also does not mean it is the end of your law school journey. There are always challenges that make an individual stronger, and this is just one of them. Take this as an opportunity to reflect on both yourself and your application. Below, I highlight the steps students should take and what I did to get myself off the Waitlist and admitted to my first-choice law school.
Take a Deep Breath and Stay Calm
Before anything else, take a deep breath! You have worked very hard to get to this point. There is no need to panic as there is still plenty you can do to strengthen your application.
Confirm Your Interest
The first step to take is to let the school know that you would like to remain on the Waitlist. You can do this by form, written communication, or as instructed in the waitlist letter.
Meet with Admissions (If Possible)
Next, if the law school provides the option, you should meet with admissions to determine what improvements you can make to your application. The admissions staff works with the admissions committee and understands what the school is looking for in potential candidates, so instead of searching for answers online or through your peers, go straight to the source. I met with an admissions advisor after I was waitlisted, and she offered candid advice on how to improve my application. I was also given the opportunity to show my professionalism and commitment to attending the school during this meeting, which benefited my application.
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Write a Strong Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI)
One of the most important things a wait-listed student can do is write a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI). A LOCI should:
- Be a concise letter highlighting strengths of the candidate that were not included in the initial application.
- Show their continued interest and commitment to the school.
- Be positive and professional. It is understandable to be a little frustrated, but avoiding any type of negative language and tone will come off better to the admissions committee.
Learn about all the in’s and out’s of writing a strong Letter of Continued Interest that helps you stand out and stay top of mind in the Law School Waitlist Tips blog.
Supplemental Writing: “Why [School]”
Along with the LOCI, writing one of the supplementals like the “Why [School]” will help your application stand out. The LOCI and any of the supplemental writing prompts allow the admissions committee to review different writing pieces outside of the traditional personal statement. Additionally, writing this supplemental piece shows that you have taken an extra step to do the research. I wrote a supplemental piece, and when I was doing research on the school, I found it incredibly exciting to discover everything the law school and community have to offer. I aimed to capture this enthusiasm and genuine interest in my writing to convey my deep commitment to becoming part of such a great law school and community.
Update your Letters of Recommendation (LOR)
I also requested additional Letters of Recommendation (LOR) to add to my application. Some of my LORs were from my undergraduate degree, so I wanted to update them with letters from my professors in my master’s program and my legal internships. This both complemented and reinforced what I wrote about in my LOCI to strengthen my application. Remember, the LORs do not need to be law-related; they just need to be from someone who can speak to who you are and why you are a good candidate.
Other Strategies that Worked for Me
- Retook the LSAT: One of the areas of my application that was lacking was my LSAT score. I focused on improving my study habits and managing my time better, which not only improved my score but, in hindsight, helped me prepare for law school.
- Submitted an updated transcript: After my initial application was submitted, I sent the admissions office my updated transcript as I was still earning my master’s degree. A fully up-to-date transcript with your application is needed for the admissions committee to make an informed decision.
- Spoke with peers in other graduate programs: This gave me a sense of reassurance, as many stated that it was very common to be waitlisted and not meant to be seen as a negative thing.
- Emailed the Admissions Office: I sent a follow-up email every so often to reaffirm my commitment to the law school. I tried not to overwhelm the office with calls and emails, as I am sure others were reaching out as well. However, each follow-up informed the admissions office that I was still committed, as over time, some will withdraw from the Waitlist.
At the end of the day, remember that being placed on the Waitlist is not an outright denial—it means the admissions committee sees potential in you. What you do after being waitlisted is what sets you apart from others and reinforces the potential they see. Continue to work hard and improve your application as much as possible. Utilize the resources available to you and let this blog be a source of support, offering actionable advice to help enhance your application.