Are applications supposed to be anonymous?

UVAorBust
Mon, 01 Nov 2010 18:37:09 +0000

Unfortunately, the Deans who know the students at UVA are supposed to pass the application onto another dean who does not know the applicant. I can see both positives and negatives to this decision.

Positive: The Dean who knows the student, knows him or her as more than a piece of paper. Not that the dean has a full recognition of the applicant, it is just that the applicant is a little more than just a number.

Negative: If the dean knows the student, it could make their decision bias. At a school like UVA where “demonstrated interest” isn’t factored into their decision and a personal connection with the applicant could make admissions unfair.

Although your not reading my application Dean J, I’m going to be to let you read my essays (not as part of the decision but I just would like to see what you think) after my app is submitted and such.

P.S. I wrote my essay on Michael Jackson’s song “Beat It” - Do you think this would be interpreted wrongly by the Adcoms? I don’t want them to think I’m joking around on their application but my essay is somewhat comical yet strongly conveys my point.