Any point to sending LOCIs? Forum

[theycallmefoes]

I applied to schools in mid-January and still haven't heard back from most of them, though I imagine decisions should start coming out in the next few weeks. With each application, I submitted a "Why X School" essay detailing my interest in the school and why the school would be a great match for me. Is there any point in submitting LOCIs to these schools in anticipation of their decisions?

[theycallmefoes]

Bumping this up.

[Nonconsecutive]

Spivey recommends sending them prior to a decision, then again if you are wait-listed.

Others recommend not sending them anything in that isn't substantial, since they already have loads of stuff to review.

Personally, if I were to send one in prior to a decision, I would put a lot of time into it and really make sure it says more than just "I want to come here!" Give it some substance that also relates back to your applications as a whole. In other words, don't just send in a revised copy of your "Why X" statements.

[jjking]

deleted

[Nonconsecutive]

I think the above still applies even without the initial "Why X" statement. I would count the time from going under review, rather than when you visited though.

[TripleCheck]

I've read things regarding LOCI and contacting schools before a decision is rendered but can't seem to find any solid advice regarding my situation. Perhaps somebody in this thread has some ideas.

University of Washington has had my application "in review" for a while now -- and I missed their school's Financial Aid application deadline because a decision was not rendered by March 15th on their behalf (financial aid applications were only available for admitted students with their user ID unless I'm the loser kid that missed the invitation to the party). They are still a top choice for me, but I'm debating if it is worth it to send something or not letting them know that a yes from them is a yes from me -- no questions asked. I presume I would be paying ticket at this point but living/family/job connections in the area/other things have made this school my top priority.

The last thing I want to do is send them a letter that results in an adverse action towards my decision. Thoughts?

[theycallmefoes]

I've read things regarding LOCI and contacting schools before a decision is rendered but can't seem to find any solid advice regarding my situation. Perhaps somebody in this thread has some ideas.

University of Washington has had my application "in review" for a while now -- and I missed their school's Financial Aid application deadline because a decision was not rendered by March 15th on their behalf (financial aid applications were only available for admitted students with their user ID unless I'm the loser kid that missed the invitation to the party). They are still a top choice for me, but I'm debating if it is worth it to send something or not letting them know that a yes from them is a yes from me -- no questions asked. I presume I would be paying ticket at this point but living/family/job connections in the area/other things have made this school my top priority.

The last thing I want to do is send them a letter that results in an adverse action towards my decision. Thoughts?

I would definitely submit a LOCI - the only thing it can do is help, in my opinion. Have you already submitted a "Why the University of Washington" essay?

[TripleCheck]

I've read things regarding LOCI and contacting schools before a decision is rendered but can't seem to find any solid advice regarding my situation. Perhaps somebody in this thread has some ideas.

University of Washington has had my application "in review" for a while now -- and I missed their school's Financial Aid application deadline because a decision was not rendered by March 15th on their behalf (financial aid applications were only available for admitted students with their user ID unless I'm the loser kid that missed the invitation to the party). They are still a top choice for me, but I'm debating if it is worth it to send something or not letting them know that a yes from them is a yes from me -- no questions asked. I presume I would be paying ticket at this point but living/family/job connections in the area/other things have made this school my top priority.

The last thing I want to do is send them a letter that results in an adverse action towards my decision. Thoughts?

I would definitely submit a LOCI - the only thing it can do is help, in my opinion. Have you already submitted a "Why the University of Washington" essay?

Only things I've submitted were what was asked on the application. They were very UW oriented but maybe didn't scream "I plan to make my home here" enough. I have a good idea of what to say in a LOCI. Any tips regarding subject matter, do's and dont's are appreciated (PM maybe) but I'm sure I can find some of my answers by searching... But I'm not so sure regarding length or what topics may be more important than others. I'll review my materials I sent to UW again and think of what I could say that's not repeating myself.

There was a part where I spoke of an idea of a NPO as asked in one of the essays. If I were to include an expansion of this plan would you think it'd help? I'm a bit at a loss to what they may be needing from me (if anything) at this point. There's a lot of other things as well but I'd rather not post them here for privacy purposes. If you'd be up to the idea of helping, send me a message perhaps?

Thank you for your help and responses. I do apologize if my posts are unwarranted in this section as I know there are a plethora of resources I can bury myself in here for this.

[Glasseyes]

All I can post is my own experience, so take this with a grain of salt.

I worked with an admissions counselor who generally has not steered me wrong, but he did recommend I submit LOCI's to a few of my top choices (Duke & UVA) that seemed within reach. Numbers-wise I was still something of a stretch, but UVA at least was a "weak consider". In the LOCI I gave an update about my work situation, a few family things that were touched on in my PS, and just generally reiterated how much I wanted these schools. My guy suggested I mention the schools that had accepted me thus far, so I mentioned Georgetown, UCLA, and USC, all of which had just come in.

Both schools dinged me within an hour of each other, just about 2 weeks later. I was really expecting a waitlist from at least one of them, and I was later waitlisted at Columbia, so I suspect something must have gone wrong here (though I've re-read the emails, and there were no typos or mislabeled emails). I can't definitively say I wouldn't have been dinged without the LOCI's, but the timing was interesting in that most of my other dings came much later, and the rest of the schools in this range just waitlisted me anyway like I was expecting.

I recommend exercising a fair bit of caution.

[TripleCheck]

Unfortunately I was dinged at UW the day I was going to submit my final revision LOCI/WhyX to them with a resounding "all decisions are final". I'd blame it on my job but I should have acted sooner. Oh well. Learning experience: get it right the first time. :)