<p>There are myriad reasons why an applicant might be accepted by an Ivy League school yet be waitlisted or denied by UVa. The first point to keep in mindwhich is pretty obviousis that the applications to two schools are distinct documents. For starters, there are different essays and different numbers of letters of recommendation. It is also possible than an applicant took UVa for granted while putting his all into the Ivy League application. It would be one thing if the different committees were looking at the same application, but they are not. </p>
<p>Different schools may be looking at different things. Some schools take the SAT writing test into account, while others do not. Some schools do not count freshman grades while others do. Schools differ with regard to their SAT II policies, etc. </p>
<p>A school may have a history with a particular Ivy League school that gives the applicant an advantage. The student might get a boost because of legacy status or athletic ability. For example, the student might be good enough to play Ivy League football but not be good enough to play for UVa. There are numerous such scenarios. </p>
<p>And, yes, there is some randomness in the process. A file could be read when the admissions officer is sick or tired, and this could make a difference for someone who is on the bubble. Having said that, I am not in the least concerned that some applicants are accepted by an Ivy League school yet are waitlisted or denied by UVa. If UVa never made such a mistake, that would mean that admissions standards at UVa were very low.</p>