ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, December 30, 1996 TAG: 9612300053
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE
SOURCE: Associated Press
A record number of students applied for early admission to the University of Virginia this year, reflecting what some say is a worrisome national trend.
UVa admissions officers pored over 2,325 early-decision applications in recent months, an increase of 6 percent from last year and 36 percent from 1994, the university said.
``That makes me a little nervous,'' said John A. Blackburn, dean of admissions. ``We've felt the effects of this national frenzy.''
Blackburn said the trend is troubling because of its potential effect on minority applicants.
If colleges rely too heavily on early-decision applications, minority students might be at a disadvantage, because a higher percentage of them have parents who did not attend college and are less familiar with the application process.
Very few minority students apply for early decision, he added.
If the trend continues, he said, the university may consider changing its early admission program.
UVa offered admission to 785 early-decision applicants this month, about 27 percent of the expected incoming class. Last year's percentage was about 26 percent.
Ivy League schools such as Harvard and Princeton helped spur the rush of early applicants by accepting a large percentage of them, Blackburn said. Harvard chose 55 percent of this year's freshman class from early applicants.
Blackburn emphasized that students who apply early are not necessarily gaining an advantage over other applicants.
Early applicants are judged in the same way as regular applicants: They must have good grades and a strong schedule through 11th grade, he said. They also must maintain their grades through their senior year.
Students who apply early are notified by Dec. 1 if they are offered admission. If accepted, they must withdraw any applications to other schools.
Students not offered early admission are re-evaluated as part of the regular admissions process.
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