<p>Let me preface my response by stating that I do not possess any inside information about the UVa admissions process, only what I learned when my son applied to UVa last year (as an incoming first year, not as a transfer student).</p>
<p>UVa takes a holistic approach to reading applications, that is to say that they are looking at your entire "body of work" rather than focusing primarily on one or two components of your application. Also, because there are far more qualified students applying than there are available seats, competition for the seats that they have to offer is very intense. Because of this, every aspect of your application should be as good as you can truthfully make it.</p>
<p>Admissions officers at highly competitive schools like UVa typically want to see an outstanding academic record attained while taking the most rigorous academic track offered by your school(s). While you aren't penalized for not having taken courses that your school doesn't offer, they do want to see that you have taken challenging courses and have done well in them. They place a great deal of emphasis on your academic record/transcript, because it represents years of work and achievement, as opposed to three hours or so of sitting for a test like the SAT.</p>
<p>In addition to academics, they are looking for what you might bring to the University community. Yes, they are looking for scholars who possess an academic history and academic potential that portends continued success in the classroom at UVa; however, they are building more than just an academic community. They are seeking students with leadership qualities who will likely become involved in activities beyond the school's lecture halls and labs, and whose participation in programs outside the classroom will add to the vitality and diversity of the University and/or Charlottesville communities. They are considering you as a scholar capable of individual academic achievement, and also as a member of a larger group of student leaders who can contribute to the strength and success of the institution as a whole.</p>
<p>Essays are an important part of the process, in part because they can help the Admissions Counselors get to know you better. In a sense your essays give "voice" to your application, so if you can, let the Admissions folks "hear" what you really want them to know about you. Your essays should be both interesting and informative (an easy read) and should allow your "personality" to show through so that they get a better sense of who you are.</p>
<p>Shoebox or some of the other successful transfer applicants can probably give you additional advice that is tailored more to a transfer applicant. Also, for those who apply as a transfer from the Virginia Community College System using the "guaranteed admission" program, there are specific requirements that need to be known and met. </p>
<p>My final advice is simple: in every aspect of your application, give them your best effort; don't hold back anything positive that would help the Admissions Officers get to know you better and appreciate more fully what you can bring to the University community and why you should be offered admission to UVa.</p>
<p>I hope this information helps you a little. Good luck with your application, and hopefully, acceptance to UVa. It's a great school, well worth all the hard work it takes to be accepted!</p>