<p>There are lots of “stories” of phenomenal in state kids getting into ridiculously competitive colleges but not getting into UVa. I’ve heard a few myself. But, in my experience, the overwhelming majority of phenomenal students DO get in, and the ones that don’t have a blemish on the application that the news media doesn’t grasp because it’s not in the business of processing college applications and doesn’t see the other applicants. Besides, “phenomenal student gets into UVA” isn’t as compelling a headline.</p>