Waitlist update #5

I'm out of the office currently, attending a Common App conference in Minneapolis.

The waitlist process has finished. We have filled the class and released the waitlist. Everyone who remained on the waitlist should now see a change in their status in SIS.

I realize this isn't the news you wanted, but at this point, I think most were eager to move on and fully commit to their other schools. Best wishes for a wonderful, relaxing summer, a smooth move in at a fantastic school, and a rewarding first year.

Thanks again for being part of this blog!

FYI...

If you are planning to visit this weekend, please check UVa's Emergency Information site for updates. A storm that came through Charlottesville on Thursday evening has left many parts of town without power and many roads littered with tree limbs and power lines.

I gave the morning information session to a packed Newcomb Theater and our visitors said their hotels had kept them safe and fed through the night. Power is back on in some parts of the area, but there are still roads without working traffic lights, so travel may be slow.

Our facilities group has done an amazing job clearing walkways and roads around Grounds. Check out the difference between 5:30 PM last night (left) and 2:00 PM today (right).

There were fallen branches under every tree last night.
This afternoon, people were playing under the same trees.

It's hard to tell in the picture from last night (left), but there was one tree blocking the road at the top and another blocking the walkway at the top of the stairs (on The Lawn).


CavDog assumed the grounds crews were picking up branches to play with him.
He had a great time "helping" them carry branches around.

2010-2011 Application Essays

For those juniors out there who are looking to start thinking about their college applications, here are the essay questions that will be on the UVa Supplement to the Common App next year. Keep in mind that there will be one general essay question on the Common App in addition to these shorter personal statements.

The most popular piece of advice from the seniors every year is "start early". I don't think you need to worry about filling out forms just yet, but essays are definitely something to start thinking about if you have a little free time this summer.

Here they are. Hope you like them!

1. We are looking for passionate students to join our diverse community of scholars, researchers, and artists. Answer the question that corresponds to the school you selected above. Limit your answer to a half page or roughly 250 words.

• College of Arts & Sciences: What work of art, music, science, mathematics, or literature has surprised, unsettled, or challenged you, and in what way?
• Engineering: If you were given a $10,000 budget and the opportunity to build a small team of talented, motivated individuals, what would you propose to accomplish?
• Architecture: Discuss an experience that led you to apply to the School of Architecture.
• Nursing: Discuss experiences that led you to choose the School of Nursing.

2. Answer one of the following questions in a half page or roughly 250 words:

• What is your favorite word and why?
• Describe the world you come from and how that world shaped who you are.
• Discuss your favorite place to get lost. (This question was written by U.Va. students who live in one of residential colleges, Brown College at Monroe Hill.)
• In The Dumbest Generation, Mark Bauerlein asserts that social media and youth culture undercut the skills necessary to be a global citizen when he writes: “We need a steady stream of rising men and women to replenish the institutions, to become strong military leaders and wise political leaders, dedicated journalists and demanding teachers, judges and muckrakers, scholars and critics and artists. We have the best schools to train them, but social and private environments have eroded.” Do you agree with his assessment or not?

Waitlist update #4

This update doesn't contain all that much information...the waitlist process continues to unfold. I imagine that's that's good news for some of you.

Just as a reminder, the official offer will post to your SIS account. You'll accept and pay your tuition deposit through SIS. Obviously, it's fun when we call a student and we realize what their decision is immediately. Last week, I made called a student to let her know that we were giving her an offer and her voice started trembling when she replied. Her mother (I assume) started screaming and a dog started barking in the background. As she was hanging up the phone I heard her yell "No way!" I think I was grinning for the rest of the afternoon.

Rest assured, if you need to look over your aid package with your parents, you'll have some time to do that.

Hang in there! At this point, I don't think you should be sending any more updates in the mail since we are apt to see an increase in mail (and processing times) due to final transcripts arriving from matriculated students.

Remember, this blog is geared towards first-year applicants.
Transfers should see the Transfer Blog for updates on their process.