<p>A friend of mine was deferred and she wants to write a letter to keep showing interest. She wants to know if it should be quirky and stuff like the application essay, or if it should be a lot more direct and serious. Also, what to write in the letter and who to direct it to (i.e. "To whom it may concern" or "Dear <em>Admissions Officers name here</em>" etc.)</p>
<p>I think she should think about the best way for her to express her interest in the school. I would encourage her to be as straightforward or as quirky as she pleases-- she should use whatever style comes most naturally to her and whatever style will maximize what she has to say. I've said it before and I'll say it again: your letters, essays, etc. does not have to take on the tone that the admissions office uses in communication with prospective students. It can. It doesn't have to.</p>
<p>As for addressing it, she should address it to her regional counselor.</p>
<p>I wrote one myself after I was deferred, but it also served a dual-purpose as a cover letter for my supplemental materials. I was briefly light and quirky, said I always wanted to go to Hogwarts and such, then I just moved on to a very quick overview of my materials. I suggest she writes it in whatever way she feels most comfortable writing, though she may want to write in the opposite style as her essays if all her essays were formal/quirky. All she has to say is that she's still interested, after all.</p>
<p>And yes, definitely the regional counselor. As someone that's interned at an agency, tell her to make sure to spell the name right. Just from sorting through tons of mail, I'd also recommend having a nice letterhead and such, but I doubt that's necessary.</p>
<p>Give her my best wishes.</p>