Please help! Applied EA, recieved email (constructively) criticizing my essay? Am I rejected?

Colleges & Universities A-Z University of Virginia
1

The email is from ‘uva.edu donotreply@uva.edu via orbit.eternalimpact.info’ with the topic “essay.”

I am, understandably, incredibly stressed about this. No one I know has gotten any sort of email like this. In context, I understand (it was my first draft and I thought the topic was a new personal take on struggle. It wasn’t. It was the wrong topic in hindsight and I should have rethought sending it out, but what’s done is done. My family does not have a good grasp on English and the topic was so personal I did not want teachers to read it…the essay I have sent to all my other schools is completely different in tone and subject, addresses a different prompt, and has been edited by teachers and a family friend who has experience with the admissions process).

I don’t know who exactly sent me the email but I can only guess it was a concerned essay reader who didn’t want to see a qualified student sabotage themselves with a bad essay, which I appreciate of course. But oh, the content!

“We are not seeking English literature/novel in your essay.”
"We would like know you as person through your easy .Over all it is poorly written do not addresses prompt.
“Focus essay on PROMPT”
“I suggest you make change the suggested before you apply anymore colleges. Seek professional help if needed.”
“Remove below [phrase from essay]”

I am sure it is real, despite the grammar mistakes and hurried nature of the email, because of the UVA email address. It’s not like anyone would benefit from this email otherwise, anyways.

My supplements were fine. My recommendations are good. My grades/course load/testing are good (Attend college classes at a Year Round STEM Governors School), even above average numerically. I am In State and have visited. I have never considered attending any other school in VA…but now, I’m scrambling to find answers.

If my essay was as disastrous as it would seem it was, is it a guaranteed rejection, even with my above average numbers (I applied Engineering)? I suppose I already know that no one can tell me anything definite, on CC nonetheless, but I think I just don’t want to face such distressing news over the holiday break alone. Should I start steeling myself for a waitlist or, god forbid, a rejection?

2

I just want to kick my 16 year old brain for thinking applying early was the right decision. I should have known that it was never a good idea to submit things that have not been edited or checked for hindsight errors. I’m the first from my family to apply to an American college (but not technically 1st gen)…

I suppose there is nothing I can do about it. I should just swallow it, have hope, and pray to god that my updated essays will get me into a college I will be intellectually happy at :confused:

3

Wow, that is most unusual, and it truly is suspect.

That someone there, an insider, perhaps as unversed in proper grammar and spelling as you intimate you fear you may be would send such a critique without suggesting a manner in which you can submit a new essay has me less concerned that you will be summarily found to be lacking as a candidate, and more worried about the integrity in the application review process.

I do believe there IS a way for you to submit a different essay, though, as I’ve seen others suggest that you simply contact your regional admissions officer and ask if you can email the new essay to him/her. Perhaps you should try that approach if you feel there is any merit to this cautionary email, and you’d already come to that conclusion and made constructive changes, or an overall overhaul, to all of your successive essays.

I do hope you know that your life will not be regarded as a failure if you do not attend UVA. You’ve taken the right steps in applying to other schools, and I hope you approach any and all acceptances as opportunities for you to find your place at whatever institution reaches out to you and offers you a chance to contribute to its school community.

Good luck to you.

EDIT: You’ve taken the right approach in your comment #1.

4

The UVA email server is @ virginia.edu , not @ uva.edu (sorry for the spacing). I doubt that it is actually from the university, especially due to poor wording. It sounds like a phishing email. If you’re really worried, I’d suggest contacting UVA Admissions and asking if they sent you the email.

5

OP, did you have another student/trusted friend read your essay and comment? You’ve indicated that you did not, and yet you seem to suggest that there was a direct quote from your submitted essay.

@corbeaux’s comment cannot be disregarded at all, yet how would someone be able to directly quote from your essay?

Could this be a “friend” prank?

6

@Waiting2exhale @corbeaux Thank you both. I did not know about the email server extension but because he or she read my essay (and cited specific lines), I am sure it was an insider. Maybe uva.edu is a secondary server specifically made for readers? Are they even allowed to have contact with students? In any regard, it caught me completely by surprise! No service was advertised (although they recommended I get profession help) and it was specifically a donotreply email, so I’m not entirely sure it was a phishing email…

I think I will email my regional counselor my new essay as recommended, thanks for the suggestion!

7

@SATurdays: ^^You must ask the regional admissions officer if they are willing to be in receipt of the new essay, and will place it into your application packet.

I wish you well.

8

@SATurdays that really is strange. I have never heard of adcoms sending students suggestions for their applications. If you are going to send the new essay, do as @Waiting2exhale suggests, but I’d first call either UVA admissions or your regional counselor and ask if they actually did send the email.

9

http://orbit.eternalimpact.info.ipaddress.com/

The thing you might worry about is malware vs any editing suggestions.

10

I sent an email to my regional counselor and the application update server requesting they update my application, but only briefly mentioned the email.I got the typical ‘out of office for the holidays’ automated message but didn’t want to wait to call because it’s apparent my updated essay is better.

No one viewed or edited my essay until after it was sent early and there were limited people who saw and edited it after. Could this really be a friend prank? Is the ‘uva.edu’ address not locked? The eternalimpact part is definitely fishy

I didn’t get any malware as far as I can see but should I report this anywhere else?

11

Interesting

12

This is odd. However, if the writer was able to quote a phrase you used in the essay, then how could it be fake?

13

First off:
Please, please calm down. Worrying about it isn’t going to increase your likelihood of getting in, or increase your ability to handle this situation.

I really don’t know what that email was, but I have never heard of anything like it before (I’m a current first-year). But instead of batting around the bush and asking strangers on the internet about the problem, go directly to the source. Seriously. Call the UVA admissions office ASAP and ask if the email is legitimate. I seriously doubt it is. I’ve never gotten anything from that address and I’ve received hundreds of emails by the university st this point. They’re going to be happy you brought it to their attention so they can ensure this situation doesn’t happen again.

About the phrase in the essay being mentioned, are you sure no one else saw the essay? If you’re sure, and UVA says it’s not a legit email, I would call common app.

14

That is very strange. I just googled uva.edu, and there are no legitimate links. It looks like UVa bought the domain, simply to forward people to the right address.

15

The email addresses we use are all on our Connect page. All of our emails are from @virginia.edu.

The email is not legitimate. The quotes aren’t properly written, which makes me wonder if it’s a phishing email?

16

Still, by extracting and commenting on a quote from the OP’s application, perhaps someone at the school had access to it. And the comment on “seek professional help” is both disturbing and highly suspect from anyone, much less an essay reviewer. I understand that that phrase probably means for help in re-writing your essay, but it could be taken out of that context. How about speaking with your high school counselor?

17

The email is not from the University of Virginia. The OP has acknowledged that others have seen the essay.

18

This is very strange. I wonder who could have possibly have sent such an email and why. Possibly a friend or family member that you showed it to that wants to indirectly tell you to improve your essay? It is good that @“Dean J” commented to clarify though

19

It does not even read like a proper e-mail. I suspect a fake. No worries.

20

It smells like a teenage brother and a shared password or open computer LOL.