<p>A.E. Yes, if you have two equally qualified applicants and one showed a preference to small LAC’s, of course you would take the one who is more likely to matriculate if accepted. But, based on my sample size of 1, there is not enough evidence to show there is something other than picking he most qualified applicants. Yes, they have to show an interest in the school. Numerous admissions counselors warned us to not put another school in the essay about “Why I want to go to school x.” I suspect the OP, when compared to other equally and more qualified applicants, did not show enough interest in attending a small LAC. But, that is only possible because there are more than enough better and equally qualified white females to fill a limited number of spots. So, the OP’s question of whether she was arrogant to expect to be accepted, I would say yes, it was arrogant. Certainly in my household there was no such presumption of admission. Heck, she didn’t even get an early write.</p>