Handwritten LOCI question Forum

[megisanegg]

I recently got wait listed at UT. I really want off of their waitlist, so I'm working on my LOCI right now. I'm sure this subject has been talked to death, but I couldn't find anything on this anywhere.

I've read that handwritten letters are preferable. But, what kind of paper should the letter be written on? Just plain printer paper seems too informal, but some kind of formal, blank card seemed inappropriate as well.

Trust me, I'm aware that this sounds like a really dumb question, but I genuinely don't know the answer. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

[xael]

lol don't handwrite your LOCI. you were goingto handwrite it and then mail it in?

Type it up like it is a formal letter to an employer, with a header, etc. Print it out. Sign it. Scan it in and send it as a PDF via email to admissions, with the text of the letter in your email (and the additional "signed letter is attached for files" etc).

[megisanegg]

lol don't handwrite your LOCI. you were goingto handwrite it and then mail it in?

Type it up like it is a formal letter to an employer, with a header, etc. Print it out. Sign it. Scan it in and send it as a PDF via email to admissions, with the text of the letter in your email (and the additional "signed letter is attached for files" etc).

Yeah I sat down and thought about it after I posted and realized how truly dumb this question was. I have read in a few places that mailing one in is a good idea, but other than that obviously it should be like a formal business letter.

I wish I knew how to delete posts on here, this was definitely a waste of a thread.

[4thand9]

lol don't handwrite your LOCI. you were goingto handwrite it and then mail it in?

Type it up like it is a formal letter to an employer, with a header, etc. Print it out. Sign it. Scan it in and send it as a PDF via email to admissions, with the text of the letter in your email (and the additional "signed letter is attached for files" etc).

Yeah I sat down and thought about it after I posted and realized how truly dumb this question was. I have read in a few places that mailing one in is a good idea, but other than that obviously it should be like a formal business letter.

I wish I knew how to delete posts on here, this was definitely a waste of a thread.

Not necessarily true! Maybe the next person thinking the same thing will come across this and be helped. That's why the search function can be aggravating when all you find are posts full of "Removed" or "." posts lol.

[lemonparty]

Ooooooof I definitely was under-thinking (opposite of over-thinking?) mine when I sent it in and just sent it as a word doc attachment, didn't add a header or hand sign it or pdf. Guess I was too focused on the content and didn't even give a thought to format etc. Oh well, it's out if my hands (or rather, my inbox) now, but this one helpful thing your thread did -- hopefully others with a similar q can avoid what I did haha

[xael]

Ooooooof I definitely was under-thinking (opposite of over-thinking?) mine when I sent it in and just sent it as a word doc attachment, didn't add a header or hand sign it or pdf. Guess I was too focused on the content and didn't even give a thought to format etc. Oh well, it's out if my hands (or rather, my inbox) now, but this one helpful thing your thread did -- hopefully others with a similar q can avoid what I did haha

I think this is fine! I actually sent in two LOCIs for the school I got off the waitlist at, and the first was the way you sent it.

my suggestion above was more for someone who wants to make it more formal/etc. i don't think it hurts (especially if you are saying something like "I will attend if admitted" and then your signature is right there)

[OtterLaw]

OP, FWIW I'm a hopeful UT waitlist candidate as well and when I spoke to the admissions office about LOCIs (I've sent two since January) they told me to email it as an attachment so it could be added to my file more efficiently.

Good luck! Hopefully we'll be classmates this Fall!

ETA: I did mine like business letters like someone above posted. I signed them and scanned them as PDFs.

[Lexaholik]

Yeah I sat down and thought about it after I posted and realized how truly dumb this question was. I have read in a few places that mailing one in is a good idea, but other than that obviously it should be like a formal business letter.

I wish I knew how to delete posts on here, this was definitely a waste of a thread.

I wouldn't sweat it megisanegg. Dealing with waitlists can be frustrating and it's understandable why you would stress out over doing everything possible in your power to make sure you get noticed, including handwriting your letter.

Type it up like it is a formal letter to an employer, with a header, etc. Print it out. Sign it. Scan it in and send it as a PDF via email to admissions, with the text of the letter in your email (and the additional "signed letter is attached for files" etc).

This is how most legal correspondence is handled, and probably the best way to do LOCIs. The main value behind LOCIs is that they tell the school that you're definitely still interested and no matter how you do it (e-mail, PDF, word doc, physical letter, etc) it'll probably be fine. Remember to send in LOCIs regularly (spread out once every 3-4 weeks) and always have a "reason" or "excuse" to update the admissions office even if it's something manufactured. Back in the day I was successful with sending in letters to let them know I'd just received a work award (even though they were minor and frequently given out) and I'd say "by the way--I'm still super interested in attending X law!" That sounded better than me writing them LOCIs for no good reason--as if I was pestering them for an admissions decision.

[bwh8813]

Even better, just scan a signature and insert it into the pdf rather than printing and scanning. It's pretty easy to do with the camera on your computer, and if signed in black pen it looks nice and clean. That way you don't have to deal with the potential grainy-ness of the scan or sometimes awkward tilt that can occur.

As for a header - it should typically match the header on your resume unless you've taken some creative liberties there (which isn't recommended).

[megisanegg]

Thanks guys, this has all been very helpful!