Does visiting UVA increase one's chances of being accepted there?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Virginia
1

<p>I've heard that for some southern schools, visiting increases your chances by a lot, especially for out-of-state applicants. For an out-of-state student, does visiting UVA increase their chances of getting accepted there?/How much does it help?</p>

2

<p>No it does not, sorry, but visiting is still really important to see if the school is a fit for you!</p>

3

<p>Thanks, and yeah, i know its important to visit but its really far. Are you certain it doesn’t help at all?</p>

4

<p>If you make an impression and follow up with the admission counselors, there might be a chance. The counselor might come across your application and remember you. Then again, they are reviewing many applications left and right so I would not count on it.</p>

5

<p>The Admissions department emphasizes that a visit is not necessary; nor is an interview. Requiring a visit discriminates against applicants that have fewer resources. You might want to wait, then, and visit after/if you are accepted to see if the place is a good fit.</p>

6

<p>Just to add…“demonstrated interest” is the term used by admission offices that track your contact with them and use that as a factor in admission. That is not a factor when we read applications at UVa. Looking at interest is not a southern phenomenon. You’ll find it used at schools all over the country and my sense is that it is far more prevalent at private schools.</p>

<p>Interest can be considered during the waitlist process.</p>

7

<p>I was against visiting schools at first but both people on the UVA thread and my parents convinced me that I should visit other colleges besides UVA. If the school you are interested in does track interest I HIGHLY recommend you travel to that school. If you can’t do this I suggest you atleast email your regional officer and tell them that you are very interested in the school. By the way, his provokes another question I’ve been meaning to ask for a while. Dean J, are you a regional officer?</p>

8

<p>We read randomly at UVa. We do not group applicants by school or region to read them.</p>

9

<p>Hi Dean J,
I’m not sure if you remember this article
[url=<a href=“http://web.archive.org/web/20030515035936/http://w2.shorecrest.org/MSUS/Col-Counsel/uva.html]uva.html[/url”>http://web.archive.org/web/20030515035936/http://w2.shorecrest.org/MSUS/Col-Counsel/uva.html]uva.html[/url</a>]
But it seems to contradict that region is not a factor in admissions.</p>

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10

<p>That article is from 2002 and is about Early Decision, which we haven’t had in a few years. A lot has changed. :)</p>

<p>I have been clear that in the final round, we do double checks using school lists. The fact remains that we read randomly. We do not group applicants by school or region when we read them.</p>

11

<p>Dean J, I somewhat remember reading, possibly on your blog, that all deans look over an app? Like one dean looks at it than for 1minute the rest of the deans debate no the decision or something along those lines. So if you’ve met your regional officer that may help in the decision because she knows you by more than a paper application?</p>

12

<p>There are no regional reps.</p>

<p>Applications get two reads. There are rare circumstances that prompt us to bring a case to committee. Then, the entire staff would read the file and discuss it.</p>

13

<p>Ohh, alright thanks for the response. That must be strange having all deans look over a file. Some what like a court case.</p>

14

<p>I found it comforting to learn (from the alumni liasion for potential legacy candidates) that in the case of the two readers not agreeing about an application that the applications are read by a small group and then if needed the entire group.</p>

15

<p>I agree oldUVAgrad. There must not be many disagreements though becuase I can’t imagine two deans argueing about an applicant (its a funny thought if you think about it). However, this is a great method for admissions and gives each applicant a fair shot.</p>

16

<p>We don’t really fight. :)</p>

<p>Two deans disagreeing does not automatically prompt committee review. It usually prompts a conversation and generally, the second reader has seniority. Committee is for unique cases or ones that present issues that the staff would benefit from discussing.</p>

<p>We work in small teams later in the process.</p>

17

<p>Thanks for the response Dean J. Just imagining you raising your fists at another dean is making me laugh right now.</p>