Should You Send a Letter of Intent in February?
In This Guide
In the top boarding school admissions context, February feels like the calm before the storm. The applications that took months to prepare are already submitted, the interviews are completed, and the elite families are now left wondering if there’s an extra step they can take.
A Letter of Intent (LOI) can be that extra step to reinforce your child’s genuine commitment to the school, but only if it’s done thoughtfully. Before hitting “submit,” it is important to understand the timing and tone and whether this move will make a difference in your child’s position in a highly selective admissions process.
Quick Answer for Busy Parents
For busy parents, here’s what you need to know: Yes, February can still be a significant time to send a thoughtfully written Letter of Intent (LOI), especially if your child has meaningful updates to share and the school is your child’s clear first choice. A well-written LOI can reinforce your child’s commitment and highlight the growth since the application.
What is a Letter of Intent in Boarding School Admissions, and When Is It Appropriate to Send One?
Before deciding to send an LOI, it helps to understand what it means and when families should send it. A Letter of Intent (LOI) is a formal letter indicating that the school is your child’s undeniable first choice and that they would definitely enroll if admitted. It communicates your child’s commitment to the school and their maturity, qualities that the admissions committee greatly values.
February is often a strategic window because this is when the top boarding schools in the country are reviewing the applications, leading to the release of the final admissions decisions. Reaching out with a strong update and a deepened dedication towards the school during this period can make a difference.
What is the Difference Between a Letter of Intent and a Letter of Continued Interest?
An LOI and LOCI sound similar, but they serve a very different purpose for elite boarding school admissions.
An LOI clearly states that the school is your child’s unequivocal first choice and that they will enroll if admitted. In contrast, LOCI indicates that your child is still interested in the school and is typically sent after being deferred or waitlisted. The main difference between the two is the certainty. An LOI is like a binding promise—direct and clear, while the LOCI keeps the door open while reaffirming interest.
Is February Too Late to Send a Letter Before Admissions Decisions?
Timing can make or break the impact of this strategy.
February is when the students are being reviewed, and the admissions are making final decisions. Hence, sending a thoughtful strategic letter can still be considered, especially if it shows growth or reinforces a strong commitment to the school as your child’s top choice. However, once the admissions decisions are finalized, its influence diminishes significantly.
Top Benefits of Sending a Letter of Intent to Your Top Boarding School
- It helps reinforce your child’s clear commitment to the school once admitted.
- It differentiates your application among similarly qualified applicants.
- It may strengthen your position in a highly selective boarding school admissions process.
Best Practices for Writing and Timing a Boarding School Letter of Intent
- Make sure to highlight your child’s genuine commitment to the school in the LOI.
- Take note of the admission timeline to ensure that the LOI will be strategically submitted.
- Community interest while also reinforcing your child’s strong fit with the school.
Common Questions Students Ask About Sending an LOI
Q: Will sending a Letter of Intent guarantee admission to selective boarding schools?
A: No. Just like LOCI, LOI does not guarantee admission to your desired boarding school. However, it will help improve your chances, especially if you’re already a strong and competitive applicant.
Q: Should I send an LOI to multiple boarding schools?
A: No. A genuine Letter of Intent should only be sent to your genuine first choice. Sending multiple LOIs can damage your credibility and ultimately hurt your chances.
Q: What happens if I change my mind after sending a Letter of Intent?
A: This is why being certain before sending an LOI greatly matters. Admission officers take this letter seriously. Only send one if you are fully committed and prepared to enroll if accepted.
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How to Write A Strategic February Letter of Intent That Admissions Offices Take Seriously
A strong Letter of Intent isn’t emotional; it is focused, thoughtful, and clear.
In a competitive boarding school admissions process, the admissions officers want to see students who are consistent and mature in their interests, committed, and aligned with the values of the boarding school. They want meaningful updates and deepened commitment, not flattery or pressure.
You need to be strategic with your LOI: respectfully reiterate your commitment to the school of first choice, and don’t forget the significant academic and extracurricular updates. When written strategically, the letter helps brand you as a serious candidate who knows what is at stake, both in terms of opportunity and responsibility, when it comes to enrollment.
What to Include: Academic Updates, Leadership, and New Achievements
A February LOI should include new, relevant information that will strengthen your overall application. The admissions team wants to send an upward trend. They want to see personal development as well as growth in academics and extracurricular activities.
Meaningful updates include strong grades, tournaments won, and leadership roles assumed. Highlight these updates in a manner that shows your commitment to growth and challenging yourself to be better rather than simply boasting about achievements. Avoid repeating details that have already been mentioned in your application unless there has been significant progress with the activity.
How to Clearly State Your Child’s First-Choice Commitment
With the best boarding schools in the country, substance matters more than sentiment.
A simple, direct sentence such as, “If admitted, I will enroll at [Boarding School Name] and withdraw my other applications,” clearly communicates your serious intention to commit to the school once admitted. When writing an LOI, avoid using vague language like “one of my top choices.” The admissions committee values decisiveness and integrity.
Top Tips for Writing a Strategic February Letter of Intent for Boarding Schools
- When reinforcing a strong fit with the school, reference distinctive programs that align well with your interests.
- Keep your LOI concise and thoughtful, not overly emotional or lengthy.
- Maintain a decisive and mature tone that demonstrates your commitment to the school as your first choice.
Best Practices for Crafting an Effective LOI for Competitive Boarding Schools
- Avoid overpromising. Focus on genuine interests and continued growth.
- Make sure to review the instructions before submitting the letter to ensure that it will be submitted in the school’s preferred channel.
- Make sure to proofread your letter before submitting it to ensure there are no errors in grammar and spelling.
Common Questions Parents Ask in Crafting a Strong Letter of Intent
Q: Can sending an LOI improve my child’s admission chances?
A: Yes, it can. Demonstrating a genuine interest and commitment to the school can make a difference, especially if the admissions committee is considering the applicant’s commitment level.
Q: How many updates should my child include in the February Letter of Intent?
A: Two to three significant updates are enough. These updates should reflect your child’s independence, maturity, academic performance, and readiness for the boarding school journey.
Q: Is the LOI sent through email?
A: It depends. Review the instructions on the boarding school website or the instructions sent via email. Make sure to follow the instructions. Typically, the instruction is to submit it through a portal.
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Make a Smart, Strategic Move This Admission Season
Every action during the admission season should be intentional and tailored to your child’s strengths.
A February Letter of Intent can significantly improve your child’s admission chances, but only when it reflects a genuine commitment and thoughtful updates. Working with an elite boarding school admissions consultant right from the start can help ensure that your child’s application, including the LOI, highlights meaningful growth, leadership, and alignment with the boarding school community.
At Cardinal Education, we offer comprehensive support throughout the process, from application positioning, test prep, essay guidance, and interview preparation, helping families make strategic moves that maximize admission success.
Ready to take the next step toward boarding school? Reach out to us today!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Letter of Intent the same as the Letter of Continued Interest?
No, they are not the same. The LOI signals commitment to your child’s first-choice school and demonstrates firm commitment to enroll once accepted, while the LOCI only reaffirms interest and can be sent to multiple boarding schools.
Does every boarding school accept an LOI?
Policies vary widely among boarding schools. Some boarding schools do not accept supplemental materials, and some accept additional application materials, including an LOI. It is important to always review the school policy before submitting any additional requirements
Can sending a Letter of Intent hurt my child’s application?
Generally, an LOI does not hurt an application, but it must be genuine and well-written. An overly emotional or generic Letter of Intent can backfire and may be perceived as insincere. A strong LOI reinforces your child’s dedication to his or her first-choice boarding school. It reflects the certainty of enrollment once accepted.
What if my child has no major updates to share?
If there are no significant updates to share, your child can still use the LOI to reinforce interest in the school and reflect thoughtfully on why it is the right fit. Admissions officers value clarity and sincerity just as much as new achievements.
