<p>So I am a rising Second-year student and applied to be part of the Echols scholar program in the spring of my first year. Sadly, I just found out today I was rejected and am very surprised. </p>
<p>I thought the admission rate to this program was pretty high. In addition I had a pretty decent GPA (3.9 to be exact) with a very challenging and wide array of courses. I also had many extra curriculars and leaderships positions within them -- basically everything they stated you needed in my rejection email. I am just very puzzled how I did not gain admission into this program...anyone in the same position as me? </p>
<p>This is just very frustrating because I feel the admissions team didn't take this process very seriously (due to the fact they initially stated for each student to have an interview as part of the application process, but bailed on that not telling students why) Not sure if this process was very political too in the sense that affirmative action was involved (I didn't want to state this, but I am asian so maybe that is a factor? If it was, that is just plain sad.) </p>
<p>Sorry everyone for kind of venting on here I am just very very disappointed and cannot stop thinking about this - any feedback/counseling is appreciated.</p>
<p>So sorry to hear the wahooahe. I am also a rising second-year who applied, but I have yet to receive any notification about my status. </p>
<p>I talked to older students who applied to Echols as first-years and got in, and they also made it seem like one would be accepted into the program with good grades, extracurriculars, etc. I am very surprised to see that you were rejected with such a high GPA and extensive involvement at UVA. </p>
<p>This is even more frustrating because there was no interview process (which they of course said there would be for each applicant). It’s definitely a stab in the back when you don’t get promised face-to-face time to prove yourself worthy of being an Echols Scholar.</p>
<p>This is the first I have ever heard of someone with your credentials not get Echols for the 2nd round. If your GPA and EC’s were fine, it could have been your essay. Also, I would not get hung up on the interview since they haven’t done them in previous years. </p>
<p>I would email them and ask why you were not chosen.</p>
<p>I don’t know if this has anything to do with it, but the Dean of the Echols program has been changing around a lot recently. I am also pretty sure that the program does not practice affirmative action. Anyway, I too am surprised by your outcome.</p>
<p>Ok so basically I just met with the Dean of the Echols Scholar program today and she said it wasn’t a problem of my grades or extra-curriculars or essays or any of that. The small issue was that she saw on my transcript that I had mainly taken business related classes and assumed I am headed to the Comm School – which is indeed my ultimate goal. She said the Echols Scholar program is oriented more towards those students looking to stay in the College of Arts and Sciences and those who want to have a more liberal arts education. That was the reason I wasn’t accepted into the program – because apparently I would only have a few semesters of the privileges of being a scholar anyways if I was headed into the Comm School. I guess that makes sense to me, so I think the issue is resolved now. Glad I contacted and talked about it with her.</p>
<p>I’m sorry but that should not be criteria for acceptance or not for Echols. Students can change their mind as to what they may decide to do. Also, you do continue with priority registration even in Comm school because many students double major with a liberal arts program. Her thought process on this is unfounded.</p>
<p>Hey! I’m not sure if wahooahe is still around, but I was/am in the same boat as him/her. I am also a rising second-year who was declined from Echols, and I also thought it was going to be pretty straightforward. I have a really high GPA, some extra-curriculars, etc. I’m doing summer research. I wrote my essays about my “distinct intellectual passions” and all that jazz that they spoke about in the rejection email.</p>
<p>I’ve tried to set up an appointment with Dean Davis to discuss my application with her, as wahooahe did. I emailed her last week regarding this, and again sent a follow-up email yesterday. But I haven’t heard back at all. I’m not sure if she’s on vacation, or is not receiving my communication, or…? I am curious as to what protocol dictates for my next action. Do I contact her assistant? (During spring semester, I tried to email her assistant about an inquiry and never heard back from her.) Do I telephone the Dean? If wahooahe is still around, I wanted to ask how he/she got in touch with Dean Davis.</p>
<p>Thanks guys. I really do want to know what portion of my application was deemed problematic, because missing out on priority registration is painful.</p>
<p>Based on the other people in the Echols/Rodman dorms my first year I can tell you that I’m pretty certain there’s no AA in Echols decisions. Also, you’d lose all the benefits after going to the Comm school, so there’s really no point in worrying about it unless you’re that desperate for that extra line on your resume.</p>