<p>My son went through the Jefferson process. I think your credentials are good enough to get an initial interview. But then your knowledge and personality are what get you to advance through the rounds. The Foundation is looking for potential Scholars who represent scholarship, leadership, and citizenship. During the interviews you are asked a broad array of questions from your involvement in activities to current events to questions that deal with topics that are related to your intended major. I don’t think they are necessarily looking for one right answer to any question, but instead that you have the ability to think, analyze, and have a rationale for why you are giving the answer you are giving. They are looking for someone who will be a leader on campus, who will seize opportunities, who is sociable, while also being smart. This is just my take on it, of course, and others may have a different opinion.</p>
<p>There’s no formula for this. I didn’t expect to get it…and I did. Your stats and EC’s are better than some, not as good as others. Now that I see the process from the other side…some candidates are simply outstanding, and yes, the judging panel represents a wide spectrum of political opinions, so I don’t think the Young Republicans would affect things. It is what it is. I don’t know if I clicked with the panelists. I just tried to enjoy the process. It was an interesting experience, especially the seminars and exams. Our reading material was challenging and thought provoking. The interviews and schmoozing were a bit less fun for me. Good luck. However it goes, you will have many opportunities in the future.</p>
<p>I only suggest that people who are in the running for JS nominations be very serious about UVA. I’d rather not see a nomination go to someone for whom UVA is a backup choice, costing the opportunity for some top other candidate who is likely to attend. Of course, anything can change and apparently many nominees decide to attend after taking a closer look at UVA while going through the JS process (and failing). </p>
<p>My son was nominated by his HS without soliciting input and he got to the second round before losing out, for unknown reasons, other than the competition in his geographic area is fierce. The first and second-round interviews were significantly different in his case, and the second was not what he/we expected. He’s now at UVA. </p>
<p>I think this whole JS program works out very well for UVA in attracting top students who might have gone elsewhere, what with the improved visibility and the possible carrot, low odds as they are.</p>