uvaismydream

Along with the Common App and the supplement, I was thinking of trying something new. I was thinking of launching that website, and make sure in my application to make sure the deans see a link to it. My grades are good, but a .2 off from the UVA average. My SAT is a 2150, and I take tons of hard classes with some great ECs. Good, but nothing great. I am the first in my family to attend college, and an in-state student, but I feel like without something special I'm not going to make the cut. On this website I would make, I could include a few videos of me talking to the camera. I want this college to really really get to know who I am, and why it is my dream to go there. I want them to know what I plan to do with the education I would receive. I would have pictures/videos of me helping out the community in whatever way, some pictures/videos of me working as a dental assistant, computer programmer, and whatnot. Me doing my favorite hobbies. I play the guitar. I was thinking of doing a music supplement to show how much into it I am, maybe even go out of my way to write and sing a song about the school itself haha. I don't know, just let them really get to see why I'm different and why they should accept me into their school! Sorry for the wall of text. What do you guys think? Worth a shot? I mean I really hope my app doesn't get lost in the many apps they are going to receive, and don't want them to completely ignore this website that I would have worked so hard on. I think the fact that I could design a custom site and get it registered on a domain is pretty cool already!

Dean J

Regarding that comment about your average GPA, please see #1 here:
Notes from Peabody: The UVA Application Process: It’s the most wonderful time of the year…college fair season

Being a Virginia resident is great thing in this process. Right off the bat, the admit rates for in-state students are better than those for OOS students. On top of that, being a first generation college student is a good thing. Neither of those things put you at a disadvantage that requires you to do something extra.

Colleges ask for information in the manner in which they'd like to receive it. Instead of videos of you playing guitar or volunteering, we ask that you include information about those activities in a chart on the Common App. The three personal statements you are asked to write are ways that you can convey your personality, style, and tone.

While you are welcome to include links to things on the internet, understand that when we are reading files, we are engrossed in taking notes on the different components of the application and we might not spend the time that you expect us to on something like this. I fear you may think extra-curricular activities are more prominent in this process than academics. We definitely want to see that you are involved and will contribute to the community at UVa, but activities don't overshadow academics in our process.

We really only encourage supplements from students who will be majoring in the performing or visual arts.

uvaismydream

I see. So it is not recommended even as a little something extra to go along with what's already included with the Common App / supplement. I just feel I can show so much more of who I am if I did this, but I guess I will work with what I can! My grades and scores are nothing special to make me stand out, but I've done some pretty cool stuff, so I just wanted to dedicate something to illustrate this. Anyway Thanks for the reply Dean J! Greatly appreciated!