<p>Interesting perspectives from friedokra. Sorry it did not work out. </p>
<p>For the record, we did not have the same experience at W&L, UVa (OOS applicant), or Vanderbilt. To the contrary, S was accepted at all three, simultaneously applied for fin aid at all three, and is def not from a feeder school (comes from a tiny school where no one had previously had been accepted at any of these). Although his stats were strong, they were not among the highest. Yet somehow he was a good enough fit at these three that he was offered merit scholarships at all. </p>
<p>I wonder if the "fit factor" -- at least from the adcom's perspective, rightly or wrongly from your perspective -- might be the "quirk" of which you speak?</p>