<p>My comment was not intended to be derisive, and I apologize if it seemed that way; I am quite sure that there are arbitrary factors in every admissions process, and those all factor in the decision itself. Whether it pertains to geographical diversity, ethnicity, aesthetics - in this case being a photo - or even handwriting, it is all arbitrary. </p>
<p>Given the trend of admissions patterns at various schools, especially the propensity toward geographic diversity, it probably did contribute, but it certainly was not decisive.</p>