uva essays 2021

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Wednesday, June 23, 2021

2021-2022 #uva first-year application essay prompts.

With tours full of prospective members of the Class of 2026 this week, it seems like a good time to share our essay prompts for next year. Feedback from students and admission officers have helped us tweak our prompts over the years and it seems like we have them in a good place because we don't really have edits this year!

There are three required pieces of writing on our application: the Common App essay and two shorter responses that are specific to UVA.  The Common App prompts are on their website . 

A couple notes about essays: the prompts are deliberately broad, these are supposed to be personal, and the word counts are guidelines meant to remind you to be concise. I'll elaborate on these and share some tips in future posts. Regarding the first essay, remember that we admit students to four schools and one major at UVA . The only students who apply directly to a major are the kinesiology students.  As always, I'm happy to answer questions you submit in the comments.

2021-2022 First-Year Application Writing Prompts

• College of Arts and Sciences - What work of art, music, science, mathematics, literature, or other media has surprised, unsettled, or inspired you, and in what way?
• School of Engineering and Applied Sciences - Describe an engineering feat that serves the common good and why it inspires you to study engineering.
• School of Architecture - Describe significant experience that deepened your interest in studying in the School of Architecture.
• School of Nursing - Describe a health care-related experience or another significant interaction that deepened your interest in studying nursing.
• Kinesiology Program - Discuss experiences that led you to apply to the kinesiology major. 
• What’s your favorite word and why?
• We are a community with quirks, both in language and in traditions. Describe one of your quirks and why it is part of who you are.
• Student self-governance, which encourages student investment and initiative, is a hallmark of the UVA culture. In her fourth year at UVA, Laura Nelson was inspired to create Flash Seminars, one-time classes which facilitate high-energy discussion about thought-provoking topics outside of traditional coursework. If you created a Flash Seminar, what idea would you explore and why?
• UVA students paint messages on Beta Bridge when they want to share information with our community. What would you paint on Beta Bridge and why is this your message?
• Rita Dove, UVA English professor and former U.S. Poet Laureate, once said in an interview that "...there are times in life when, instead of complaining, you do something about your complaints." Describe a time when, instead of complaining, you took action for the greater good.

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College Essays

Founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson, the University of Virginia boasts impressive academics, competitive sports team, and a long list of notable alumni. Though about 17,000 students attend UVA, the school has an admissions rate of 19%—meaning you'll have to work hard if you want to be a Cavalier.

One of the best ways to boost your chances of admissions is by writing great UVA essays as part of your application. In this article, we'll break down what the UVA essay prompts are and how you can write responses to each prompt that will make you stand out.

What Are the UVA Supplemental Essay Prompts?

In order to apply to UVA, you'll submit the Common Application . No matter which option you choose, you'll have to complete the UVA supplement, which includes three writing prompts.

The first prompt requires a response of about 100 words, and the other two recommend 50 words each. So these are definitely more short responses than full-length essays. For the first UVA supplement essay, you're required to write a response based on the school within UVA that you're applying to. For the second and third UVA writing supplements, you get to choose the topic that resonates most with you.

UVA Essay Prompts

Here are the UVA essay prompts for 2022-2023:

We are looking for passionate students to join our diverse community of scholars, researchers, and artists. Answer this question, which corresponds to the school/program you selected above in around 100 words.

• College of Arts and Sciences — If you could create a college course that all UVA students would take, what would it be about and why?
• School of Engineering and Applied Sciences — How will you use an engineering degree to change the world for the better?
• School of Architecture —Describe a significant experience that deepened your interest in studying in the School of Architecture.
• School of Nursing —Describe a health care-related experience or another significant interaction that deepened your interest in studying nursing.
• Kinesiology Program — Describe an experience that has deepened your interest in studying kinesiology.

Prompts #2 and #3

Answer one of the following questions in around 50 words. (You'll answer one question from this set for prompt 2 and a different question from this same set for prompt 3).

What's your favorite word and why?

We are a community with quirks, both in language and in traditions. Describe one of your quirks and why it is part of who you are.

UVA students paint messages on Beta Bridge when they want to share information with our community. What would you paint on Beta Bridge and why is this your message?

About what topic could you speak for an hour?

Take us to your happy place. 

You can wake up tomorrow and a skill you already have will become expert-level. What skill is that?

What is the last gift you gave someone that wasn't bought with money?

What website is the internet missing?

After a challenging experience, how do you recharge?

Tell us about a place you'd like to share with everyone, but also keep to yourself.

Tell us about a time when, faced with an opinion or perspective that differed from your own, you responded as an empathetic speaker or a generous listener.

UVA Essays, Analyzed

Looking for advice on how to write amazing UVA essays? Let's break down how to answer each prompt.

UVA Prompt #1

The instructions are the same for all of the first UVA essays:

" We are looking for passionate students to join our diverse community of scholars, researchers, and artists. Answer this question, which corresponds to the school/program you selected above in around 100 words ."

Let's look at how to answer each one.

College of Arts and Sciences— If you could create a college course that all UVA students would take, what would it be about and why?

This slightly unusual prompt lets you show UVA what knowledge you think every student there should know. The prompt isn't asking what you think would be an interesting or fun course necessarily, but a course that every UVA student should need to take and pass in order to graduate. To answer this prompt, you'll need to decide: what topic is important for every UVA student to think about and know before they graduate? 

You could take this in a lot of different directions. You might choose a practical topic, like Intro to Paying Taxes, Basic Home and Car Repairs, or Financial Planning 101. Certainly everybody will need to know that information sooner or later! You could also choose a more abstract topic that you think no one should graduate college without thinking critically about. Topics in this area could include living sustainably, understanding prejudice, or how to be a good communicator.

Whichever topic you choose, be sure to give a brief overview of what the course would cover and, most importantly, why you think every UVA student should take it. The topic you choose is less important than your reasoning behind it, so make sure you make a strong argument for why your course choice is valuable to the entire UVA community.

School of Engineering— How will you use an engineering degree to change the world for the better?

This prompt is all about you and your plans for the future. What specifically do you plan on doing as an engineer? UVA asks this to understand your goals and motivations for wanting to enroll in their School of Engineering.

When answering this prompt, you might feel pressured to write something really impressive, like designing a space shuttle that'll allow humans to travel to Mars or developing a cheap water purification system that can be distributed to the millions of people living without access to clean drinking water. And if you do have those goals for yourself, then go for it! 

However, if you have more modest goals, don't feel like you need to "dress them up" in order to impress UVA. Wanting to become an engineer so you can create safe buildings, help people  manage and protect their data, or even just build cool roller coasters that people enjoy are just as valid.

The key is to be honest and enthusiastic about your career goals. Let your passion for engineering and your excitement for your future plans shine through, and you'll be all set for this prompt.

School of Architecture—Describe a significant experience that deepened your interest in studying in the School of Architecture.

Inspiration comes in many forms —what's important for this prompt is to think about an experience that has inspired you. Also, keep in mind that this prompt isn't asking you about a specific building or project that you love. Instead, it wants you to tell a personal story about how architecture has inspired you...and how that inspiration led you to choose architecture as a major.

The trick for this essay prompt is connecting your experience to architecture . For example, maybe you wanted to be an architect because you visited the Academy of Sciences in California, and you thought their underground aquarium was amazing. That inspired you to want to learn to build structures that create that sense of awe in others.

Whatever you choose, you should be sincere about your inspiration. Anything that sounds trite will be really obvious to the admissions committee. They'll read thousands of applications about wanting to make the tallest building in the world—make yours sound different.

School of Nursing—Describe a health care-related experience or another significant interaction that deepened your interest in studying nursing.

Don't feel like you need to highlight a huge moment here—rather, focus on something that's significant to you even if that experience was small!

The key to this prompt is to make sure that you're highlighting something real that happened to you or someone important to you. The more personal you can make the experience, the better.

Saying something like "I want to solve cancer for everyone" is less impactful than saying that you have seen firsthand how cancer affected your grandmother. Nursing is a personal profession—lean into that for this essay.

Kinesiology Program— Describe an experience that has deepened your interest in studying kinesiology.

For this prompt, focus on one experiences and discuss it in detail. Don't give an entire overview of your history—describing something more fully will resonate more than trying to cram a lot of experiences into a relatively short essay.

Be honest about what drove you to kinesiology— don't write what you think the admissions committee wants to hear. Write what's true for you.

UVA Prompts #2 and #3

Again, for both prompts 2 and 3, you'll choose one prompt from the list below (so two different prompts total) and write a response of roughly 50 words each.

This is quite an eclectic list! Of the 11 prompts, you only need to answer two, so don't worry if you can't think of a good response to some or even most of the prompts. Don't worry about choosing the two "best" prompts either; UVA chose each of these prompts which means they think they're all valuable. Choose the two that speak to you the most and that you can answer in a way that lets UVA learn more about you as a person.

Also aim to choose two prompts that show different sides of yourself as opposed to two prompts where your answers are quite similar. That helps UVA get more of a look into who you are as a person, which is the entire point of the prompts.

To choose your prompts, go through the list and think about potential responses for each question. Some you might not come up with anything for, but hopefully for a few an answer will jump out at you. For example, do you have a passion for collecting Minnie Mouse figurines? Do you have to run four miles every single morning? Do you stop everything you're doing whenever the Red Sox are playing? Do your parents always make fun of you for pronouncing a word strangely? Then you might want to answer the question about quirks. 

Or maybe the prompt about students writing messages on the Beta Bridge speaks to you. As with the other prompts, the "why" is the most important part of this prompt. Whatever message you land on, make sure you have a good reason for it.

Avoid trite or cliched phrases, like "Be the change you wish to see in the world." The admissions committee will have seen thousands of these—and those words are probably already written on Beta Bridge. What do you have to say? What message is personal to you? What lesson have you learned that you specifically can communicate?

For whichever prompts you choose, be honest and reflective so that your response gives a window of insight into who you are and what matters to you. Another thing to note: 50 words is not very long at all! So keep things concise in order to stay within the word count.

How to Write UVA Essays

Here are some general tips for how to write UVA essays that will wow the committee.

Your UVA supplement essays are a chance to show the admissions committee who you are. Take that opportunity to flesh yourself out. You're not simply a collection of A's and B's printed on a transcript. You're a real person! Show that in your UVA essays.

#2: Feedback Is Cool; Plagiarism Is Not

It can be tempting to bounce essay ideas off your peers, parents, and teachers. That's fine! But don't rely on them too heavily. Your work should be your own—from the ideas to the execution. There's a fine line between receiving helpful feedback and using that feedback in a way that misrepresents your work and ability . Seek out help, but know that you have the first and final say.

#3: Play With Form

Your UVA essays don't have to follow the traditional five paragraph structure. UVA encourages you to play with form. That means you can submit a poem, if you want!

Take advantage of the freedom from structure to write in a way that feels authentic to you. If that means starting every sentence with the letter "E", then go for it! As long as your work is well-written and engaging, the form doesn't matter.

What's Next?

There are over 5,000 colleges in the United States—how can you possibly decide which to apply to? Using a college finder tool can help you sort through your options and find your ideal school without having to tour every single campus.

Once you've decided on some colleges or universities that you're interested in attending , our guide will help you narrow down your list to safeties, matches, and reach school.

Still not sure what you're looking for in a college? Read our articles on whether you should go to a school close to home and whether you should attend a large or small college .

Hayley Milliman is a former teacher turned writer who blogs about education, history, and technology. When she was a teacher, Hayley's students regularly scored in the 99th percentile thanks to her passion for making topics digestible and accessible. In addition to her work for PrepScholar, Hayley is the author of Museum Hack's Guide to History's Fiercest Females.

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University of Virginia (UVA) 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Early Action/Decision: Nov 1

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 5

You Have: 

University of Virginia (UVA) 2023-2024 First-Year Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: 1 essay of 250 words, 1 optional essay of 100 words, 1 essay of 250 words for applicants to the School of Nursing only

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why , Community

In around 250 words, please answer the following question:

What about your individual background, perspective, or experience will serve as a source of strength for you or those around you at uva  feel free to write about any past experience or part of your background that has shaped your perspective and will be a source of strength, including but not limited to those related to your community, upbringing, educational environment, race, gender, or other aspects of your background that are important to you..

Odds are that this isn’t the first “diversity” essay prompt you’ve come across this year—even if the prompt doesn’t explicitly use that word. If it is, however, please read on. UVA wants to accept students from a range of backgrounds who will contribute to an inclusive community. The prompt uses the phrase “source of strength” twice; this tells us that they want to hear about not only what makes you you , but also how these characteristics will support you and those around you. What you focus on here can be reflective of larger cultural constructs or specific to you and only you. Is there anything you can teach your classmates about your hometown, traditions, culture, orientation, identity, race, or ethnicity that they might not already know? Maybe you began practicing meditation and discovered Buddhism during your sophomore year and you hope to spread some wisdom and mindfulness on campus next fall. Perhaps you were raised on a farm and have a very special relationship to all living things (plants, animals, people, etc.) around you. How will you incorporate this element of your identity into your college experience? Show admissions that you’re eager to make your mark in their community.

Students applying to the School of Nursing are required to answer this question in around 250 words.

School of nursing – describe a health care-related experience or another significant interaction that deepened your interest in studying nursing..

This prompt asks applicants to detail a specific experience to prove their interest in their chosen field of study, nursing. It is a bit closer to a traditional why essay in that students should make sure not just to discuss the experience that led them to pursue nursing, but also to connect that experience to their larger goals for the future. Perhaps you were diagnosed with diabetes as a child and the nursing care you received inspired you to go into the field yourself. Maybe your grandfather was a nurse and you were awed by his skills when your grandmother fell off a ladder. If there are elements of the UVA program that support your particular interest or connect to the experience you choose to highlight, definitely build those bridges to show admissions you are familiar with the programs UVA has to offer, and have already considered how your experiences will help you achieve future academic success.

Optional: If you have a personal or historic connection with UVA, and if you’d like to share how your experience of this connection has prepared you to contribute to the University, please share your thoughts here.  Such relationships might include, but are not limited to, being a child of someone who graduated from or works for UVA, a descendant of ancestors who labored at UVA, or a participant in UVA programs. (100 words)

Now that UVA is no longer explicitly considering legacy in their admissions process, admissions has added this question to identify not only those whose parents went to UVA, but also those whose ancestors labored at UVA. This reflects the university’s ongoing reckoning with its own founding, which included the use of enslaved labor. Here, anyone with personal or historic ties to the university, including students who attended summer programs there, can describe their unique connection. If you don’t have a connection, that’s okay! Most people won’t. If you do, however, read on.

This question doesn’t just ask you to state your tie, it asks you to explore how that connection has primed you to contribute to the community. Maybe your mom was an RA and has shared all the steam tunnel routes with you, so you can initiate your roommates into this UVA tradition. Perhaps one of your ancestors built the iconic Rotunda, and you look forward to educating your classmates about their legacy. Maybe you attended a summer program and fell in love with the Jeffersonian architecture, inspiring your passion for historic preservation. Remember, your job here is to explore how your personal connection to UVA will make you a contributor to campus life. 

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The Admissions Strategist

How to write the uva supplemental essays 2020-2021: the excellent guide.

Housed on a beautiful campus in Charlottesville, VA, the University of Virginia boasts a 27% acceptance rate and brings great students from across the country together based on their shared desire for an excellent education.

One way to stand out among other UVA applicants is to write amazing and unique supplemental essays.

UVA requires you to submit school-specific supplemental essays so they can get to know the parts of you that don’t show through a typical college application. These essays are often one of the ways that admissions committees make their final decisions.

What are the UVA Supplemental Essay Requirements?

There are two types of supplemental essays for the University of Virginia, and both are required for your application.

• The first is the college or program-specific essay, which will ask you to describe or respond to a situation related to the program to which you are applying.
• The second is the general essay, which gives you more creative liberty (but can also be equally as difficult to write).

The supplemental essay prompts can be found under the “University of Virginia” section on the Common Application, as well as on the University of Virginia Office of Undergraduate Admissions Website.

Click above to watch a video on UVA Supplemental Essays.

Worried? Don’t be!

In this guide, we’ll offer specific tips on how to write supplemental essays for the University of Virginia. Then, we’ll go through each of the essay questions individually, providing advice on how to approach them.

Tips from the University of Virginia

To start, UVA’s admissions team offers some advice to applicants:

• Try not to overthink your responses.
• Don’t feel like you have to use academic writing structure.
• Don’t feel like you have to take all of the advice you receive.

UVA notes that the supplemental essay questions are intentionally broad and open-ended in order to give you the opportunity to share your voice through the essay. They recommend that you ignore feedback if it doesn’t fit your writing style.

• Above all else, be sure to write essays that are true to your experiences and values .

Below, we’ll begin looking through each of the University of Virginia supplemental essay questions.

School/Program-specific Questions:

The University of Virginia begins their school/program-specific question prompt list with the following statement:

“We are looking for passionate students to join our diverse community of scholars, researchers, and artists. Answer the question that corresponds to the school/program to which you are applying in a half page or roughly 250 words.”

Keep this statement in mind as you work on the prompt that pertains to the program you are applying to, and be sure to incorporate it into your essay.

UVA College of Arts and Sciences Supplemental Essay

What work of art, music, science, mathematics, or literature has surprised, unsettled, or inspired you, and in what way?

If you know the specific major you’re wanting to earn, you can use it to answer this question.

• Did a recent finding in the field of biology have an impact on you?
• Maybe you read a news article on CRISPR and were so amazed that you can’t imagine working in any other field.
• Or, if you’re interested in physics, maybe you saw the SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch and are interested in developing the next generation of space flight shuttles.

Whatever your future major is, relating your essay to the general field is a good idea because it shows that you’ve spent some time thinking about what you may want to major in and what kind of impact you’d like to have as an alumnus of the University of Virginia.

It also shows you’ve got a passion for the field you want to enter.

Okay, but what if you aren’t sure what you want to major in?

• Instead, pick something that occurred recently in your life related to art, music, science, math, or literature.

Don’t worry if it doesn’t seem particularly groundbreaking. The important thing is to pick a topic on which you can write 250 well-crafted words.

• Did your favorite band release a new album that doesn’t sound anything like their old music?
• Is there a book or magazine/newspaper column you read that shocked you?

Pick something that inspires your curiosity, and use the essay to show a bit of yourself while you explain why your finding was so awe-striking. After all, the admissions team is wanting to learn about you through your essay submission.

UVA School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Supplemental Essay

Describe an engineering feat that serves the common good and why it inspires you to study engineering.

This question is extremely broad, so you can take it almost any direction you’d like:

Simply think of an engineering feat (which could be basically anything ever built) and why it “serves the common good,” or has made a difference in the lives of people around the world.

If you’re able to, you may want to consider choosing an engineering feat that has affected your life personally. That way, you’re shining a light on various aspects of your life in one supplemental essay, allowing the admissions team to get to know you even better.

• You could talk about the most amazing bridge you’ve ever seen, and what its done for the community its located within
• Maybe you grew up in the most efficient tiny home imaginable, and it gave you an incredible childhood. How does your tiny home (and other tiny houses) affect the lives of the people who live in them?
• If you’re in need of some more inspiration, check out these 25 engineering feats from around the world. Many of them could lead to unique and creative essay prompt responses

Don’t forget the second half of this prompt; why does this specific engineering feat inspire you? Would you like to make a similar difference in the world one day? Does the structure simply blow your mind every time you see it?

Use the second half of the prompt to show your passion for engineering, and even some of your engineering experience and/or knowledge if it fits and flows well.

UVA School of Architecture Supplemental Essay

Describe a significant experience that deepened your interest in studying in the School of Architecture.

Since you’re passionate enough about Architecture to want to major in it, this question should come fairly easy.

However, that doesn’t always make starting a simple process. If that inspiration doesn’t hit right away, try not to worry; You’re still going to write an amazing essay.

First, think back on your life and your experiences with Architecture:

• Was there a “light bulb moment” that inspired your future in the field of Architecture?
• Have you loved intricate buildings since you had the chance to visit a castle on your family trip to Europe?
• Did you walk into an odd building one day and come out with a plan to improve its layout and functionality?

Your experience doesn’t have to be one-of-a-kind (though it’s great if it is). The most important thing is that you bring the admissions team with you to that place through your essay, showing them those specific details that made you fall in love with Architecture.

Show your passion and drive for your future career in the field. Share your curiosity and interests. When the admissions team sees why you love the field and when they can tell you’re truly interested in becoming the next Architectural expert, your essay is sure to stand out.

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Uva school of nursing supplemental essay.

Describe a healthcare-related experience or another significant interaction that deepened your interest in studying nursing.

This is an excellent prompt, as it’s not extremely specific. The admissions team simply wants to know why you want to become a nurse, and they want you to show them through a heartfelt or inspiring story.

Don’t worry if your story isn’t specifically related to nursing; just let your essay show why you’re passionate about your future as a nurse.

• Do you have a relative in a nursing home or hospital? How have your interactions with them shaped your ideas on nursing?
• Have you seen media coverage (TV, documentary, etc.) on nursing?
• Why are you interested in going into nursing rather than becoming a doctor? Was there a moment where you chose nursing over becoming a doctor?

Once you have an experience in mind, write it all down. Make bullet-points, make a list, write a three-page story; whatever you have to do to get your passions down onto a page.

Then, take what you’ve written and find the most important parts. Take the words that mean the most (and the ones that tell the story well) and turn them into an essay of no more than 250 words.

Remember to be honest about your experience (in other words, it doesn’t need to be a positive experience) and how it affected your decision to study nursing. Authenticity is unbeatable.

Show the admissions team your heart for nursing, and you’ll give them what they need to make your final admission decision.

UVA Kinesiology Program Supplemental Essay

Discuss experiences that led you to choose the Kinesiology major.

This is the most straightforward of the program-specific essay prompts, in that it tells you exactly what to write about.

If you have trouble answering this prompt, think about why you’re interested in Kinesiology and what you might want to do with a degree in Kinesiology.

• For example, you may have injured yourself playing a sport and needed physical therapy, which introduced you to the field of kinesiology.
• Maybe you’re fascinated by all things needed for athletic performance; joints, muscles, bones, etc.
• You might be passionate about continuing your sports journey without becoming a professional athlete.

Hopefully, this brainstorming will help you connect to experiences that you can write about. If you need more help brainstorming, use this excellent guide .

The UVA General Supplemental Essay Prompts

Now, we’ll take a look at the more general supplemental essay prompts. You only need to pick one of these prompts for your application.

If you are having trouble deciding on a prompt, try writing a rough draft for each of them (or any number of them that you’d like to try out).

Once you read through your drafts, it will become easier to see which prompt provides the best platform for you to make your mark on the admissions committee.

Before diving into the individual prompts, here’s a quick reminder: Try not to overthink these essays. In most cases, they are as straightforward as they seem.

UVA Supplemental Essay 1: Your Favorite Word

What’s your favorite word and why?

Before starting this essay, it might be helpful to perform the following exercise: Over the course of a few days, write down all the words you encounter that seem odd or interesting.

You might ask yourself some questions to help brainstorm as well:

• Are there certain words you use often?
• Are there certain words you use only in specific situations? Why?
• Have you read a book that contained a word you found interesting? What was it?

A problem that students usually have with this essay prompt is that they change their minds mid-essay as other potential words pop into their minds.

One day, you might think that your favorite word is “complacent,” whereas, the next day, it might be “hamster.”

This exercise helps you to list out all of the potential words you could write about. From there, you can pick the word that you like the most or find is easiest to write about.

Then it’s time to write your essay.

Share your word with the admissions team, and possibly a quick definition. Then, explain what it means to you. Remember that the admissions team wants to learn about you. Try making more of the essay about why this word is your favorite, and less about the definition of the word itself.

UVA Supplemental Essay 2: Quirks

We are a community with quirks, both in language and in traditions. Describe one of your quirks and why it is part of who you are.

Similarly to the last essay prompt, you may want to take a couple of days to think about this one, listing out any quirks you might have:

• Do you have any memorable habits or routines?
• Is there a phrase that you use frequently?
• Do your friends or family members comment on any of your positive personality traits? How does this trait manifest in everyday life?

Maybe you wake up every morning and have a glass of water with lemon because it helps you feel refreshed. Write about it!

Don’t be afraid to ask friends and family about your quirks , as it may reveal interesting potential essay topics you may not have considered.

Along with your quirk, share some reasons why it’s great. You are trying to get into a college with this essay, after all.

UVA Supplemental Essay 3: Flash Seminar

Student self-governance, which encourages student investment and initiative, is a hallmark of the UVA culture. In her fourth year at UVA, Laura Nelson was inspired to create Flash Seminars, one-time classes which facilitate high-energy discussion about thought-provoking topics outside of traditional coursework. If you created a Flash Seminar, what idea would you explore and why?

This prompt may seem intimidating because of its reference to a student creating an impressive organization, but try to remember that it isn’t the point of the prompt.

Instead, pick a topic that interests you!:

• What are your hobbies?
• Do you play any sports?
• What is the first random fact that pops into your head?
• What did you do last summer?
• Are there any global issues you care about and want others to know of?

For example, if you spent your last summer volunteering at a soup kitchen, you might create a Flash Seminar on the importance of volunteering based on your experiences.

The essay may even be about a topic that you feel is important for every person to think about and discuss.

The essay does not need to be related to academics. As long as you can write 250 words about the topic and why you think it is important for other people to learn about, it’ll be worth creating an essay about.

UVA Supplemental Essay 4: Beta Bridge

UVA students paint messages on Beta Bridge when they want to share information with our community. What would you paint on Beta Bridge and why is this your message?

This might be the most difficult essay prompt for most students because of how open-ended it is, but it also gives you a lot of room to leave your own creative or intellectual mark on the admissions committee.

• What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
• What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever given?
• What is something helpful that you think more people should know about?
• Is there a public issue that you feel needs more awareness?

Even if your idea is small, don’t worry. Maybe you’ve noticed that you don’t carry enough water around, and want to remind everyone to stay hydrated!

Your message does not need to be groundbreaking or related to academics, as long as you can write about it.

Make your response unique, and try to catch the attention of the admissions team.

If your essay shines on who you are, what’s unique about you, or a topic you care about, it’s sure to stand out when it’s reviewed at UVA.

UVA Supplemental Essay 5: An Alternative to Complaining

Rita Dove, UVA English professor and former U.S. Poet Laureate, once said in an interview that “…there are times in life when, instead of complaining, you do something about your complaints.” Describe a time when, instead of complaining, you took action for the greater good.

We all know that complaining isn’t the best way to deal with the problems we encounter; however, it sure is a natural thing to do (and it can be hard to avoid).

Think back on a time you chose to take action instead of complaining.

• Maybe you forgot about an assignment until the night it was due. Instead of complaining and asking for more time, you stayed up late to get it done.
• You may have noticed someone being treated unfairly and stood up for them right there on the spot.

No matter what the situation was, if you chose not to complain, you can turn it into a compelling essay.

Show UVA that you are an initiative taker and a difference maker. Show them you’re responsible and you don’t like to take the easy way out.

When the admissions team sees those qualities shining through the words you write, they’ve got to be impressed.

Conclusion: How to Write the UVA Supplemental Essays

Now that you’ve read through some tips on how to write the supplemental essays, it’s time to get writing!

Be sure to start early with brainstorming and planning. UVA, more so than most universities, asks you to be creative with their supplemental essays.

Even if you don’t like your first drafts, it is much easier to rewrite a draft based on the things you did not like than it is to attempt to revise an essay you haven’t yet written.

Last, remember to keep it real. Authenticity is key.

With an essay written from a place of creativity and authenticity, you’re sure to stand out.

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University of Virginia (UVA) Supplemental Essays 2023-24 Prompts & Advice

August 16, 2023

The University of Virginia is one of the handful of flagship public institutions in the United States that attract massive numbers of high-achieving applicants from around the country/globe each and every year. In the most recent admissions cycle, over 56,000 students applied (up 10% from the previous year) and only 16% were accepted. While becoming a Cavalier is challenging for a Virginia resident, out-of-staters and international applicants face an even tougher admissions gauntlet. You’ll likely need a straight A average (or very close) to get serious consideration at the 2023 version of UVA and an SAT in the 96th percentile (or better) doesn’t hurt either. And that brings us to today’s main topic- the UVA supplemental essays.

 (Want to learn more about How to Get Into the University of Virginia? Visit our blog entitled:  How to Get Into the University of Virginia: Admissions Data and Strategies  for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

With only one supplemental essay for the majority of applicants (you’ll only need to write more than one if applying to the School of Nursing or the Dance program), UVA’s supplemental section affords applicants the chance to illustrate what makes them uniquely qualified for admission. Below are the University of Virginia’s supplemental prompts for the 2023-24 admissions cycle along with our advice for composing winning essays.

2023-2024 UVA Supplemental Essay (All Applicants)

What about your individual background, perspective, or experience will serve as a source of strength for you or those around you at UVA? Feel free to write about any past experience or part of your background that has shaped your perspective and will be a source of strength, including but not limited to those related to your community, upbringing, educational environment, race, gender, or other aspects of your background that are important to you. (300 words)

This prompt asks you to not only share a particular life experience, element of your background, or perspective but also describe why that experience, element, or perspective will help you serve as a source of strength to either yourself or those around you. Essentially, it’s asking you to take your essay’s reflection one step further—you’ll need to communicate why the experience or element you’ve chosen is important to you as well as why/how you believe it will allow you to thrive at UVA or positively impact the UVA community.

UVA Supplemental Essays (Continued)

First, choose a key aspect of your experiences, background, or identity that reveals something deep and meaningful. (Although you could choose more than one, we’d advise against it, given that you only have 300 words in which to respond.) As you brainstorm, consider the following avenues:

• Your role in your family.
• A challenge you’ve faced.
• A formative experience or realization.
• Important aspects of your upbringing.
• Cultural, religious, community influence.
• Racial background.
• Sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

Second, you’ll need to explain how you’ll use what you’ve learned to persist through future personal challenges or strengthen others at UVA. Will your life experiences allow you to uplift those around you? Will your unique perspective enable you to connect more deeply with others? Lastly, will your background make it possible for you to advocate more effectively for specific populations? Alternatively, has your experience or background provided you with a perspective that will benefit and support you as you move on to college? If you connect with at least one of these questions, you’re headed in the right direction for this essay.

UVA Program-Specific Essays

School of nursing.

Describe a healthcare-related experience or another significant interaction that deepened your interest in studying nursing. (300 words)

“A nurse is not what you do, it is who you are.”

This quote from an anonymous source captures the idea that becoming a nurse is more of a calling than a profession you just stumble into. Nurses are willing to work long shifts in the service of others, be on the frontlines of a pandemic, and deal with life’s toughest challenges (e.g., suffering and death) on a regular basis. Many applicants share stories of caring for sick relatives or going through a tough medical episode themselves as inspiration for wanting to study nursing. This essay is a chance to show the admissions committee that you are a passionate and mature nursing candidate and that nursing is genuinely “who you are.”

Dance Program

Submit a short essay discussing your interest in dance as a practice and/or a form of scholarship. What roles have dance and movement played in your life thus far? What insights and connections have you made in your day-to-day and academic life through the practice and study of movement? What do you hope to explore further by participating in dance program courses upon entry to UVA? (275 words)

Essentially, UVA wants to understand how your participation in dance has impacted your life. How has it benefited, strengthened, and/or challenged you as a person? Moreover, they’d like to understand the connections you’ve made between dance and other academic subjects, if any—what interdisciplinary connections have you observed? How has your academic life been made richer by dance? Finally, in addition to how dance has already impacted you, UVA is looking for a brief discussion of what the future holds in regard to dance, and how you plan to pursue that future at UVA.

How important are the UVA supplemental essays?

The essays (both the Common App essay and the supplemental response(s)) are “important” to the UVA admissions committee. This places them in the same tier of importance as extracurricular activities and talent/ability. Standardized test scores are rated a notch below as “considered.” Read more about the importance of the UVA supplemental essays in the fabulous  Notes from Peabody blog .

At UVA, the rigor of your coursework, class rank, GPA, recommendations, character/personal qualities, and state residency status are the most important factors in the admissions process. However, application components like the supplemental essay can serve as a critical tie-breaker between similarly-credentialed applicants.

Want Personalized Essay Assistance with the UVA Supplemental Essays?

Are you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your UVA supplemental essays? We encourage you to get a quote  today.

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UVA Supplemental Essays 2023-24

The University of Virginia , a public research university in Charlottesville, is one of the top public universities in Virginia and nationwide. As a result, many students ask themselves how to get into University of Virginia. Well, one of the most important things is UVA supplemental essays. Strong University of Virginia supplemental essays can help you stand out in the competitive UVA applicant pool.

Each year, thousands of students apply to UVA hoping to gain access to its world-renowned academic programs and research facilities. In addition to academics, UVA also hosts an array of student organizations and off-campus opportunities in a thriving college town . It’s no surprise that UVA has a highly competitive 21% acceptance rate. In light of that, the University of Virginia essay is a critical part of the UVA application. Understanding the intricate details of UVA supplemental essays and UVA requirements is crucial to getting into UVA. Luckily, we are here to help.

In this guide, we will discuss the University of Virginia supplemental essay requirements, UVA application deadlines, and UVA requirements. Furthermore, we will cover the importance of the University of Virginia supplemental essays and analyze the UVA essay prompts. Most importantly, we will provide a variety of resources to help you craft the strongest UVA supplemental essays. Let’s get started.

University of Virginia Essay: Quick Facts

Uva essay: quick facts.

• The University of Virginia Ranking Overall: #25 National Universities
• The University of Virginia Public University Ranking:   #3 Public Universities
• The University of Virginia Acceptance Rate: 21%– U.S. News identifies UVA as an extremely selective school.  
• The University of Virginia Retention Rate: 97%
• The University of Virginia Graduation Rate: 94% (the highest of any public university in America)
• Common Application Essay
• 1 (~ 300 words) The University of Virginia background essay
• 1 (~ 250 words) School of Nursing Essay for School of Nursing applicants
• The University of Virginia Admissions Application: UVA application is a Common Application member institution. Therefore, students must complete their application using the Common Application. 
• Early Action: November 1st
• Early Decision: November 1st
• Regular Decision: January 15th 
• The University of Virginia Supplemental Essays Tip: The University of Virginia supplemental essays have a very limited word count. Therefore, make sure your UVA essays are clear and concise.

Please note that essay requirements are subject to change each admissions cycle, and portions of this article may have been written before the final publication of the most recent guidelines. For the most up-to-date information on essay requirements, check the university’s admissions website.

Does UVA have supplemental essays?

Yes. In addition to your Common Application personal statement, all students applying to the University of Virginia must complete supplemental essays. Compared to previous years, UVA has reduced the maximum number of UVA essay prompts to two this year.

All students who apply to UVA are required to complete one UVA supplemental essay. This required University of Virginia essay is commonly known as the background essay. It forces applicants to consider how their background will impact their experiences at UVA. 

Even though all applicants are only required to write one UVA application essay, don’t think this makes the application process easier. In fact, having just one University of Virginia essay can be tougher for applicants than having multiple UVA essay prompts. You have only one opportunity, with fewer than 300 words, to make a good impression on University of Virginia admissions . 

In contrast, prospective nursing students can respond to two UVA essay prompts. Students applying to the University of Virginia nursing program must submit an additional University of Virginia supplemental essay. The nursing student UVA essay prompt asks students to recall a healthcare experience that deepened their interest in nursing.

Whether you must complete one or both UVA supplemental essays, we have answers to your questions. In the next section, we will dive deeper into both University of Virginia supplemental essays. 

What are the UVA supplemental essays?

The UVA supplemental essay that all applicants must complete asks applicants about their background. Specifically, applicants must explain how their experiences or perspectives will be a source of strength for themselves or their UVA peers. This UVA application essay showcases students’ ability to reveal how their personal experiences and backgrounds will strengthen the UVA community. 

The second University of Virginia essay is only for students applying to the University of Virginia nursing program. Nursing program applicants are asked to describe a healthcare-related experience or another significant interaction that deepened their interest in nursing. This essay provides students the opportunity to describe the roots of their passion and how it will positively impact UVA.

Ultimately, well-written UVA supplemental essays will illustrate how you’ll contribute positively to the UVA social and academic community. Supplemental essays allow students to prove to UVA admissions that they are the perfect fit for the university. 

UVA Common App Essay

As discussed earlier, the University of Virginia presents applicants with two distinct UVA supplemental essays. The first UVA application, known as the background essay, is mandatory for all applicants. In contrast, the Nursing School UVA supplemental essay is specifically required for those aspiring to the nursing program. However, beyond these University of Virginia supplemental essays, prospective students face an additional crucial component—the Common Application essay.

As part of the Common App, this essay—also called the personal statement —is sent to all schools on an applicant’s list. The Common Application essay provides students with a platform to share their unique identities, experiences, and aspirations. The UVA supplemental essays allow one to delve into specific aspects of one’s background and ambitions. On the other hand, the Common App essay casts a broader net with seven possible prompts . These range from overcoming a challenge to sharing an accomplishment, all to add depth to one’s personal narrative in the application.

In comparison to UVA supplemental essays,  the UVA Common App essay provides a greater word count of 600 words. This additional space permits an applicant to expand on what has not already been highlighted in their application. Therefore, selecting the best Common Application essay prompt can make or break one’s application. Writing a good personal statement is no easy feat and requires plenty of planning and preparation with example essays .

UVA Application Essay: Background Essay

The University of Virginia essay that all applicants must complete is the background essay. The UVA application essay prompt is as follows: 

What about your background, perspective, or experience will serve as a source of strength for you or those around you at UVA?

When writing this University of Virginia essay, your response should offer a thoughtful exploration of a defining aspect of your identity. You should begin this UVA application essay by identifying a specific element, such as a cultural background, personal challenge, or unique viewpoint. Make your focus as specific as possible to make it easier to write a clear, concise essay.

Once you have identified your unique background or perspective, you should discuss how it will be an asset. How will it contribute to your personal growth and to building a stronger UVA community? You may have experience with caretaking that makes you an empathetic and effective leader. Or maybe you have overcome setbacks with help from others, making you both resilient and highly encouraging of your peers.

In this UVA application essay, you want to show that you have done your research on the University. Therefore, you should try to make connections to the university’s values and specific classes or organizations. Ultimately, your response should exhibit self-awareness and a deep understanding of UVA’s values. You should provide a clear roadmap for how your background, perspective, or experience will positively influence yourself and the campus community.

While there’s only one required UVA application essay for everyone, that does not guarantee an easier application. In fact, having just one essay can be seen as more challenging because you only get one shot to impress UVA admissions. You must ensure your one UVA supplemental essay is well-written, with intention behind every word. 

Keep reading for more about writing UVA supplemental essays and tips for impressing the UVA admissions committee. 

How to write UVA supplemental essays?

Crafting a standout UVA application essay can boost your application and help you get noticed by the admissions team. Your UVA supplemental essays are your chance to show your personality and explain how you can contribute to the UVA community. 

Helpful tips to make your UVA supplemental essays stand out:

1. understand the university of virginia.

When writing your University of Virginia supplemental essays, take time to learn about the university’s values, goals, and programs. Use this knowledge to show your genuine interest in and connection to the University of Virginia.

2. Be Yourself

Write your University of Virginia supplemental essay in a way that reflects who you truly are. Share personal stories and moments that have influenced your beliefs, passions, and goals. Avoid generic answers and focus on what makes you unique.

3. Tell a Great Story

Narrative essays may not be strictly required, but there’s a reason they stay popular in college admissions. Make your UVA supplemental essays interesting and captivating by telling a compelling story. Use descriptive language and engaging words to grab the reader’s attention from start to finish. 

4. Check and Improve

Before submitting your University of Virginia supplemental essays, proofread and edit your essay carefully. Look for correct grammar, punctuation, and clear sentences. Since you have a limited word count, choose your words wisely and avoid repeating yourself.

By following these tips in your University of Virginia supplemental essays, you can create a knockout UVA application essay. Remember, the UVA supplemental essays let you shine and show admissions why you’d be a perfect fit for the University of Virginia.

What does UVA look for in essays?

When considering what UVA looks for in the University of Virginia supplemental essays, the best place for advice is admissions officials. Luckily, UVA’s associate dean of admission, Jeannine Lalonde, wrote about the importance of University of Virginia supplemental essays. She also outlines what admissions officials look for from their applicants’ University of Virginia supplemental essays.

In the article, Lalonde says, “I think that [the essay] helps us get insight into the personality, voice, and style of the student. The rest of the application consists of forms and other people telling us about the student. This is their chance to talk directly to us.” 

While the article is several years old, what she shared remains true for students wondering how to get into University of Virginia. UVA supplemental essays allow applicants to tell their stories using their unique voice and point of view. Therefore, be authentically you; ensure your personality shines through and truly connects to the University of Virginia community. 

In addition to the importance of University of Virginia supplemental essays, Lalonde also highlights three tips for approaching them. These tips may help students craft the strongest University of Virginia supplemental essays and stand out to admissions representatives.

Don’t overthink the topic

In your UVA supplemental essays, simplicity can often be the key to success. The admissions committee is interested in your genuine experiences and perspectives. Instead of selecting the “perfect” topic, focus on choosing an aspect of your background, perspective, or experience that resonates with you. By staying true to your story and not overanalyzing the topic, you can present a sincere and engaging portrayal of yourself.

You don’t have to write like it’s a school essay

UVA supplemental essays allow you to showcase your personality, creativity, and individuality. Unlike formal academic essays, you can infuse your voice, anecdotes, and even a bit of your sense of humor. By steering away from the formal tone of a typical school essay, you can create engaging, illuminating UVA supplemental essays. Strong UVA supplemental essays captivate the admissions committee and give them a deeper understanding of you beyond your academic achievements.

It’s smart to get advice, but be authentic

When crafting your University of Virginia supplemental essays, seeking guidance and feedback from mentors or peers can offer valuable perspectives. However, while incorporating advice, ensure that your UVA supplemental essays remain true to your narrative and maintain the authenticity that sets you apart. Your UVA supplemental essays should reflect your true character and motivations.

By adhering to these tips in your UVA supplemental essays, you can create a compelling and authentic narrative. Additionally, these tips are applicable to any college essay, not just UVA supplemental essays. Ultimately, your UVA supplemental essays offer a platform to showcase your personal growth, strengths, and potential contributions to the campus environment.

More UVA Application Info

Of course, knowing critical information about the University of Virginia supplemental essays and UVA essay prompts is step one. However, students should also be aware of other critical UVA requirements and information that may play a role in your application. 

First and foremost, for the 2023-2024 application, the university limits the legacy factor in its admissions process. In the past, students could simply check a box indicating their legacy status on their application. Now, if students want to indicate this status, they may write about a personal or historic connection with the university. This change is incredibly important for students who are personally connected to the university by alumni or historical ties. Therefore, be mindful of how to communicate the impact of having a historical connection. Don’t just say that you have parents or grandparents who went to the university. Instead, focus on what that has meant to you growing up. How do you wish to use that connection to live up to UVA’s values and foster a greater sense of community at UVA?

Still test-optional

Another update or continued practice for 2023-2024 is that UVA will remain test-optional . As a test-optional university, students have the choice of whether or not they want to submit their SAT and/or ACT scores . UVA does super score for applicants who submit test scores and considers the best combination of section scores without recalculation. Whichever path students choose, UVA promises to consider your application carefully.

Besides understanding the legacy admissions factor and test-optional admissions options, there is also a lot of other information students may need to know prior to applying. Some of these factors include the AP/IB credit process, navigating the waitlist process, and using application fee waivers. If you are interested in finding information about these factors, you should check out UVA’s FAQ page. There, you will find a lot of helpful information about applying to the University of Virginia.

What is the application deadline for UVA?

The University of Virginia offers three distinct application deadlines to accommodate a range of prospective students. For those who are eager to submit their applications early and receive a quick decision, the Early Action and Early Decision deadlines fall on November 1st. ED is binding, with admissions decisions released in mid-December; EA is non-binding, with decisions released in mid-February. Deferred applicants from both are reviewed in the Regular Decision round. Early applicants usually have a higher chance of admittance, but they also have stronger applications on average.

In contrast, the Regular Decision deadline extends to January 15 for those requiring more time to finalize their submissions. This later date allows students to better prepare their applications in order to craft the strongest application narrative possible. Although this later deadline has a larger applicant pool than EA or ED, a particularly strong application will still stand out.

Remember that each application deadline aligns with a separate teacher/counselor deadline. Therefore, ensure your teachers and counselors promptly submit their secondary information and recommendations. Choosing a college application deadline relies on several factors such as your grades, essay preparation, and overall interest in a university. Consider the strength of your application and how much you want to go to UVA when choosing a deadline.

Additional UVA Resources from CollegeAdvisor

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the thought of writing the best UVA supplemental essays and gaining acceptance into the college? Well, don’t fret. CollegeAdvisor has many resources tailored for UVA and University of Virginia supplemental essays. Here are a few that may help you. 

1. University of Virginia Webinar Panel

The University of Virginia panel is a recorded webinar and Q&A panel with alumni and current UVA students. They share their perspectives on campus life, academic programs, and career opportunities at UVA. 

2. University of Virginia Essay Examples

This guide will teach you about the University of Virginia supplemental essays through several UVA essay examples. The article includes UVA supplemental essays examples addressing various UVA essay prompts to teach you what a successful essay looks like. While the UVA essay examples are from last year’s admissions cycle, their advice still applies. Seeing how strong the University of Virginia supplemental essays were crafted will help you craft your own UVA supplemental essays.

3. How to Win UVA Scholarships

This article discusses two specific scholarships: the University of Virginia Jefferson Scholarship and the Walentas Scholarship. The article provides information on eligibility for these two UVA scholarships, academic scholarship requirements, and how to apply for them.

UVA Supplemental Essays – Takeaways

In closing, we hope we have answered how to get into University of Virginia with a strong UVA application essay. Ultimately, the UVA supplemental essays play a pivotal role in the application process, providing applicants with a chance to distinguish themselves. In order to ensure you know how to craft the strongest University of Virginia essays, here are some key takeaways.

Importance of UVA Supplemental Essays

The UVA supplemental essays are instrumental in showcasing your unique qualities and compatibility with the university’s values. A well-crafted essay can set you apart in the competitive admissions process.

Two Types of UVA Supplemental Essays

UVA requires applicants to write two types of UVA supplemental essays. The first, known as the background essay, is mandatory for all applicants. The second UVA application essay is specifically for those applying to the Nursing School at UVA.

Background Essay

The UVA background essay prompt challenges you to articulate how your background will serve you or your peers at UVA. This essay offers an opportunity to reveal personal growth, resilience, empathy, and alignment with UVA’s values.

Nursing School Essay

For nursing applicants, the UVA supplemental essay describes a healthcare-related experience or significant interaction that deepened their interest in nursing. This University of Virginia supplemental essay enables candidates to highlight their passion for nursing and their unique motivations.

Tips for UVA Supplemental Essays

Crafting standout UVA supplemental essays requires a balance of authenticity and strategic storytelling. Research UVA’s values, show genuine interest, and make connections between your experiences and how you’d contribute to the UVA community.

University of Virginia Common Application Essay

Alongside the UVA supplemental essays, the Common Application essay holds significant weight. It’s a platform to showcase your identity, experiences, and aspirations, presenting a broader perspective than the targeted UVA supplemental essays.

Understanding the role of UVA supplemental essays and adhering to these tips can enhance your application’s impact. Good luck, and happy writing!

This article was written by senior advisor Ashley Hollins . Are you looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. Our team will discuss your profile during your meeting and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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University of Virginia | UVA’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Why this college short response.

If you have a personal or historic connection with UVA, and if you’d like to share how your experience of this connection has prepared you to contribute to the University, please share your thoughts here. Such relationships might include, but are not limited to, being a child of someone who graduated from or works for UVA, a descendant of ancestors who labored at UVA, or a participant in UVA programs.

Diversity Short Response

What about your individual background, perspective, or experience will serve as a source of strength for you or those around you at UVA? Feel free to write about any past experience or part of your background that has shaped your perspective and will be a source of strength, including but not limited to those related to your community, upbringing, educational environment, race, gender, or other aspects of your background that are important to you.

Common App Personal Essay

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

Add Project Key Words

Analyzing the UVA Supplemental Essays 2021-2022

Padya Paramita

December 27, 2021

The University of Virginia is known for being home to the Academical Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Whether you want to be a future Cavalier due to its historical foundations, or you find yourself wanting to major in Kinesiology or Speech Communication Disorders, it’s time to show the admissions office who you are through the UVA supplemental essays 2021-2022. The essays not only want to get to know your academic interests, but they provide you with space to elaborate on your endeavors outside the classroom. Use these prompts as a chance to highlight your personality and what makes you unique.

School-Based Prompts

We are looking for passionate students to join our diverse community of scholars, researchers, and artists. Answer the question that corresponds to the school/program to which you are applying in a half page or roughly 250 words.

• College of Arts and Sciences - What work of art, music, science, mathematics, or literature has surprised, unsettled, or challenged you, and in what way?
• School of Engineering and Applied Sciences - Describe an engineering feat that serves the common good and why it inspires you to study engineering.
• School of Architecture -  Describe significant experience that deepened your interest in studying in the School of Architecture .
• School of Nursing -  Describe a healthcare-related experience or another significant interaction that deepened your interest in studying nursing.
• Kinesiology Program - Discuss experiences that led you to choose the kinesiology major. 

The only required prompt you have to answer in the UVA supplemental essays 2021-2022 requires you to reflect based on the college within UVA you have chosen and think about your interests within your field. Though these are framed in a unique way compared to the typical “why major” question, your approach doesn’t have to be all that different from the way you’ve been thinking about other essay prompts that ask you to talk about your major. The start of interest in any subject or field is inspiration. So, think about the ways you might have been inspired by the work that exists around you and in the broader world. If you’re a prospective music major—is there an artist whose work you follow carefully who has influenced you? If you’re a budding engineer, consider any projects that have inspired positive change in your community and how it has contributed to your love for engineering. And so on for architecture, nursing and kinesiology. Admissions officers want to know that your interest in a topic spans beyond just saying “I love X field.” They want to know about the roots of your passion. 

Prompts That Give You Choices

Answer one of the following questions in a half page or roughly 250 words. 

What’s your favorite word and why?

This is a fun question that allows room for a really introspective essay. Don’t overthink which word you choose. What matters most is that your explanation allows the reader to have a chance to get to know who you are, whether that’s inside or outside of the classroom. For example, your favorite word might be “serene,” and this could lead to a wonderful essay about your love for nature, hiking, and perhaps painting landscapes by your favorite lake. Or, your favorite word could be “tomato,” and you could write an essay about the first time you cooked your favorite dish. The word doesn’t have to come out of the SAT catalog. What’s important is that your response helps the admissions officers get to know you and your interests and goals better.

We are a community with quirks, both in language and in traditions. Describe one of your quirks and why it is part of who you are.

If you have a unique habit or trait that people around you know you for, this prompt can be a good one to try. A “quirk” can be pretty loosely defined. It can refer to your habit of marking a day off your calendar to countdown to your favorite community fair, or it can be a signature phrase that you have. No matter what it is you choose, focus on “why it is a part of who you are.” Colleges want students who will uniquely contribute to their community. What does your quirk say about you? Does it showcase someone who is caring for their peers? Does it highlight a love for a certain hobby? If you’re not sure what a quirk is, don’t answer this prompt, but if there’s something you think is cool and unusual about you, this can definitely be a good way to show it!

Student self-governance, which encourages student investment and initiative, is a hallmark of the UVA culture. In her fourth year at UVA, Laura Nelson was inspired to create Flash Seminars, one-time classes which facilitate high-energy discussion about thought-provoking topics outside of traditional coursework. If you created a Flash Seminar, what idea would you explore and why?

If there is a topic that interests you that you feel like people should know about, you could elaborate on it through this particular prompt among the UVA supplemental essays 2021-2022. A lot of students are interested in matters in the news or politics, or even pop culture, that traditional coursework doesn’t cover. Whether you have a strong passion for the Atlantic Ocean, or you’ve spent hours reading about the life of Michael Jordan, or you want to start a debate about DC vs Marvel, consider what idea you want to explore alongside classmates. Again, what you choose shouldn’t matter as much as the why. Admissions officers want to know what you consider important, and how you think a discussion would fuel important conversations.

UVA students paint messages on Beta Bridge when they want to share information with our community. What would you paint on Beta Bridge and why is this your message?

Similar to the previous question, this prompt among the UVA supplemental essays 2021-2022 allows you the chance to talk about what is important to you that others might not consider as easily. Is there a piece of news that has recently stuck with you? Are you trying to create awareness for a certain cause? And once again, I emphasize that you shouldn’t use all of your words describing the message itself. Remember that the main part of the essay should be the “why.” Of course you should think about what you want others around you to know, but spend a greater amount of time considering the reason behind your choice. Why this particular message over others?

Rita Dove, UVA English professor and former U.S. Poet Laureate, once said in an interview that "...there are times in life when, instead of complaining, you do something about your complaints." Describe a time when, instead of complaining, you took action for the greater good.

Choosing to tackle this final optional prompt within the UVA supplemental essays 2020-2021 is a good way to inform the university about your role as an impactful leader and changemaker. Admissions officers don’t want a detailed description of the logistics of the action. Within the given 250 words you must focus on how you are taking efforts to make a difference in your community—so you should take a more reflective approach. Think about your most significant involvement, but stay wary of commonly cited activities such as service trips. Remember that “action for the greater good” doesn’t have to signify a large-scale activity. You could have helped your entire neighborhood or school, or you might have helped one or two individuals who belong to it, and still made a difference. 

Use a short anecdote to highlight the role you played in the activity. What were some of your tangible achievements? How did you involve the rest of the community? How would the result have been different if you weren’t present? What have you learned in the process? While you definitely don’t want to undermine your role in the activity, remember that you shouldn’t sound arrogant either. Talk about your achievements in a way that still conveys humility and portrays you as both a team player and respected leader. And of course, make sure your account is truthful and not overly exaggerated. 

The UVA supplemental essays 2021-2022 might seem intimidating at first but they really are catered to students’ personalities and ways they spend their time. Take advantage of these prompts to help the university know who you are and how you can contribute to their institution. Good luck! 

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The Writing and Rhetoric Program

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Fall 2021 Course Descriptions

Two-semester first-year writing courses, enwr 1505 - writing and critical inquiry: the stretch sequence.

Offers a two-semester approach to the First Writing Requirement. This sequence allows students to take more time, in smaller sections and with support from the Writing Center, practicing and reinforcing the activities that are central to the first-year writing course. Like ENWR 1510, ENWR 1505-06 approaches writing as a way of generating, representing, and reflecting on critical inquiry. Students contribute to an academic conversation about a specific subject of inquiry and learn to position their ideas and research in relation to the ideas and research of others.  Instructors place student writing at the center of course, encourage students to think on the page, and prepare them to reflect on contemporary forms of expression.  Students read and respond to each other’s writing in class regularly, and they engage in thoughtful reflection on their own rhetorical choices as well as those of peers and published writers.  Additionally, the course requires students to give an oral presentation on their research and to assemble a digital portfolio of their writing.

001 - Writing about Culture/Society - Risk & Responsibility TR 1230-145 (New Cabell 042) Claire Chantell

002 - Writing about Culture/Society -  Risk & Responsibility TR 200-315 (New Cabell 042) Claire Chantell

003 - Writing about Culture/Society -  Place, Identity, and Community MWF 100-150 (Bryan 203) Patricia Sullivan

004 - Writing about Culture/Society -  Place, Identity, and Community MWF 1200-1250 (Bryan 203) Patricia Sullivan

005 - Writing about Identities - Literacy Narratives TR 1100-1215 (New Cabell 042) Kate Kostelnik

006 - Writing about Culture/Society - Contemporary Pop Culture TR 1100-1215 (Bryan 332) David Coyoca

007 - Writing about Identities -  Literacy Narratives TR 930-1045 (New Cabell 042) Kate Kostelnik

008 - Writing about Culture/Society - The Art of Protest; how protest music, film & literature influence society MWF 1000-1050 (Bryan 330) Amber McBride

009 - Writing about Culture/Society -  The Art of Protest; how protest music, film & literature influence society MWF 1100-1150 (Shannon 108) Amber McBride

Single-Semester First-Year Writing Courses

Enwr 1510 - writing and critical inquiry (74 sections).

Approaches writing as a way of generating, representing, and reflecting on critical inquiry. Students contribute to an academic conversation about a specific subject of inquiry and learn to position their ideas and research in relation to the ideas and research of others.  Instructors place student writing at the center of course, encourage students to think on the page, and prepare them to reflect on contemporary forms of expression.  Students read and respond to each other’s writing in class regularly, and they engage in thoughtful reflection on their own rhetorical choices as well as those of peers and published writers.  Additionally, the course requires students to give an oral presentation on their research and to assemble a digital portfolio of their writing.

Fall 2021 Sections:

001 - Writing about Culture/Society - Writing About Dreams MWF 900-950 (Shannon 111) Austin Benson

002 - Writing about Culture/Society -  The Art of Protest; how protest music, film & literature influence society MWF 100-150 (Bryan 332) Amber McBride

003 - Multilingual Writers - TR 1100-1215 (Bryan 310) Derek Cavens

004 - Writing & Community Engagement - Writing Home MWF 900-950 (Bryan 334) Rachel Retica

005 - Writing about Culture/Society - Writing Through the Body: Somatic Awareness and Creativity TR 500-615 (Bryan 332) Raisa Tolchinsky

006 - Writing about Culture/Society-  Women, Romance, & Writing MWF 1100-1150 (Bryan 332) Samantha Wallace

007 - Writing about Culture/Society - Trash Talk: Garbage and Guilty Pleasures MWF 1100-1150 (Bryan 330) Kyle Marbut

008 - Writing about the Arts - Points of View in Short Fiction MWF 900-950 (Shannon 108) Matt Davis

This course is intended to help you develop writing skills that will help you succeed while you are at UVA and also after you graduate. The theme for this section will be "points of view" in fiction. We will read and write about short stories, with a special focus on different ways of narrating a story. The fiction readings will be taken from a classic but rather unusual anthology, Points of View, in which the stories are classified according to the mode of narration used in the story. One section of the anthology contains "interior monologues," in which we seem to be inside the main character's head, hearing his or her thoughts in live time; another section contains "dramatic monologues,"in which we seem to overhear the narrator speaking aloud to another character; a third, letters written by the characters; a fourth, diary entries; and so on. We will look at eleven modes of narration and study two examples of most modes, reading about twenty stories in all.

You will complete six substantial written assignments -- three narratives and three argumentative essays. For the narratives, you will be asked to use one of the modes of narration we have studied to tell a story. The narratives should be appx. 3-6 pages in length. (Longer is not necessarily better.) Each narrative will be written once, without opportunity for revision. For the argumentative essays, you will be asked to write an essay with a thesis and supporting textual evidence. Each essay should be appx. 4-7 pages long, but quality of writing, thinking, and argumentation are more important than length. The argumentative essays will be drafted, workshopped, and revised. In addition, you will learn some principles of composition, complete some exercises related to writing, and complete a library assignment.

009 - Writing about Identities - MW 330-445 (Bryan 310) devin donovan

010 - Writing about Science & Tech -  Citizen Science TR 930-1045 (Bryan 312) Cory Shaman

011 - Writing & Community Engagement -  D.I.Y. Art, Writing, & Community MWF 1100-1150 (Bryan 334) Michelle Gottschlich

D.I.Y. (or “Do It Yourself”) as it's known today, has existed for nearly a century. Taking hold in the post-war American suburbs, it has shifted dramatically through time—entering the iconoclastic punk era, Etsy mood boards, Soundcloud rap, Tik Tok videos, and more. What do these materials, scenes, makers, and movements have in common? Rhetorically rich and culturally fraught, studying D.I.Y. will get us thinking about how identities & ideas are baked into the “language” of things. Through reading, writing, analysis, and discussion, we will carefully reverse-bake these out to see what we really make of them. We’ll also practice what we study as artists and writers, and chat with visiting artists and writers about their craft. But perhaps most importantly, we’ll learn from D.I.Y. communities how to build supportive, inclusive, and non-judgmental creative spaces in which we can share our work (and ourselves) with one another.

012 - Writing about Culture/Society - Assessing Risk, Reward, Performance MWF 1000-1050 (Maury 104) Jon D'Errico

014 - Writing about Culture/Society - Dropouts MW 330-445 (Bryan 332) Jordan Burke

015 - Writing about Culture/Society - Experimenting with the Essay MWF 1200-1250 (Bryan 332) Ian Jayne

016 - Multilingual Writers - TR 930-1045 (Bryan 310) Derek Cavens

017 - Writing about Identities - MW 200-315 (Bryan 310) devin donovan

018 - Writing about Culture/Society - Genealogies of Modernity: How the World Became Modern MWF 900-950 (Bryan 330) Daniel Zimmerman

019 - Writing & Community Engagement -  Writing about Work TR 500-615 (Bryan 330) Piers Gelly

020 - Writing about Identities - MWF 100-150 (Shannon 108)

Rebecca Thomas

022 - Writing about Identities - Writing about Horror through Identity & Social Justice MWF 1200-1250 (Bryan 334) Seanna Viechweg

023 - Writing about Culture/Society - Dropouts MW 500-615 (Bryan 310) Jordan Burke

024 - Writing about Culture/Society - Writing about Place MWF 1200-1250 (Bryan 330) Peyton Davis

What makes a place memorable? What meaning do we give to particular places? Whether they are familiar or foreign, places affect who and where we are. We share our location in messages and over social media with our family, friends, and the world to connect with others. We get homesick, missing people and even places; we get wanderlust and want to see the world beyond our little corner of home. In this writing course, we will explore the importance of the physical world around us: what makes a place important to us? How do we shape the environment and how does it shape us? How do places influence what we think about other people and ourselves? How does the language we use about a place affect our experiences of it? We will read, watch, and listen to how others describe places, we will discuss why those descriptions are important in each of those texts, and we will use those descriptions as models for our own writing. While the course materials will model effective communication, improving your writing will be our primary focus.

Over the course of the semester, we will look at representations of real and fictional places in text, in images, and on screen. We will explore how our cultures, identities, and technologies influence how we see the world and how the world affects us. Through writing about places, we will develop strategies for sharing our ideas in effective ways.

025 - Writing about Culture/Society -  The Almighty Dollar: The Culture of Money, Mobility & the American Dream TR 800-915 (Bryan 330) Jessica Walker

026 - Writing about Digital Media - MW 200-315 (New Cabell 315) Samantha Stephens

027 - Writing about Culture/Society - History and the Self MW 500-615 (Bryan 332) Jeddie Sophronius

028 - Writing about Culture/Society -  Women, Romance, & Writing MWF 100-150 (Bryan 330) Samantha Wallace

029 - Writing about the Arts - MW 330-445 (Shannon 108) Charity Fowler

030 - Writing about Culture/Society - Writing the Unlikeable Female Character MW 500-615 (Bryan 330) Pamer Smith

031 - Writing & Community Engagement - Writing as Storytelling MWF 900-950 (Bryan 312) Molly Kluever

032 - Writing about Culture/Society - TR 930-1045 (Maury 104) Lindgren Johnson

033 - Writing about Science & Tech - TR 800-915 (Shannon 108) Roberto Rodriguez

034 - Writing about the Arts - Writing about Film MWF 100-150 (Bryan 334) Marissa Kessenich

“Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.” “May the Force be with you.” “Why so serious?”

Whether it’s a movie you came across on Netflix, an old favorite, or a new release at the theater, film is a source of entertainment, identity, and knowledge. The range of genres and tastes—from comedy or drama, body horror or psychological thrillers, science fiction or fantasy, live-action or animation—means there is something for everyone to enjoy. Film helps us mark time and provides a frame of reference for talking about culture in the 20th and 21st centuries.

In this course, we will be writing about film and its influence on our everyday lives. We will watch several movies and read articles that critique and analyze film using different approaches. You will be asked to respond to these readings as well as write papers that demonstrate your own film analyses. This class asks students to think critically about film, considering questions like: How do movies shape our lives and influence our perception of the world and our place in it? How do our own experiences and identities inform our taste? What makes “good” film, and who gets to say so? Why does the film industry continue to be so influential? This class does not require extensive movie knowledge.

035 - Writing about Culture/Society -  Assessing Risk, Reward, Performance MWF 1100-1150 (Maury 104) Jon D'Errico

036 - Writing about the Arts - Writing about Food TR 330-445 (Shannon House 108) Casey Ireland

037 - Writing about Culture/Society - Women, Romance, & Writing MWF 1000-1050 (Maury 115) Samantha Wallace

038 - Writing about the Arts - Beauty and Thievery in the Modern Museum TR 800-915 (Bryan 312)

Rachel Kravetz

039 - Writing about the Arts -  Writing about Food TR 500-615 (Shannon House 108) Casey Ireland

040 - Writing about Science & Tech - TR 1230-145 (Bryan 334) Roberto Rodriguez

041 - Writing about Identities - Master Your Writing Process MWF 100-150 (Bryan 312) Janice Murray

042 - Writing about the Arts - Adaptation: From Short Story to Feature-Length Film MWF 100-150 (Shannon 111) Nathan Frank

This section of ENWR 1510 examines challenges faced by those who attempt to convert a written text into a film — or, what’s commonly called film adaptation. The written texts selected for this section of ENWR 1510 are (mostly) short fictional stories by modern and contemporary writers, and the films are (mostly) feature-length productions based on these stories (I put "mostly" in parentheses because we will complicate things in fun and experimental ways, too - meaning that we need to deviate occasionally from general trends). Using adaptation as a topic is a way for us to write about a form of rewriting (on the totally open-to-debate premise that adaptation is indeed a form of rewriting), and in turn, for us to think and write about what critical inquiry and rewriting have to do with each other.

043 - Writing about the Arts -  Beauty and Thievery in the Modern Museum TR 930-1045 (Bryan 330)

044 - Writing about Culture/Society - Rethinking Domesticity MWF 100-150 (Shannon 109) DeVan Ard

045 - Writing & Community Engagement - D.I.Y. Art, Writing, & Community MWF 100-150 (Astronomy Building 265) Michelle Gottschlich

046 - Writing & Community Engagement -  D.I.Y. Art, Writing, & Community MWF 1000-1050 (Bryan 312) Michelle Gottschlich

047 - Writing about Culture/Society - Remediating Media MW 200-315 (New Cabell 338) Evan Cheney

048 - Writing about Culture/Society - Rethinking Domesticity MWF 300-350 (Bryan 330) DeVan Ard

049 - Writing about Identities - The Art of Journaling TR 800-915 (Bryan 332) Hodges Adams

050 - Writing about Culture/Society - The Grass Class TR 800-915 (Shannon 109) Hannah Grace Dierdorff

051 - Writing about Culture/Society - Writing about Food TR 500-615 (Bryan 310) Keith Driver

052 - Writing about Culture/Society - The Grass Class TR 1230-145 (Bryan 330) Hannah Dierdorff

053 - Writing about Culture/Society - Writing about Ethics MWF 900-950 (Bryan 332) Wyatt McNamara

054 - Writing about Culture/Society - TR 1100-1215 (Maury 104) Lindgren Johnson

056 - Writing about the Arts - Writing with Jane Austen TR 800-915 (Bryan 310) Michael VanHoose

057 - Writing about Culture/Society - The Almighty Dollar: The Culture of Money, Mobility & the American Dream TR 930-1045 (Bryan 332) Jessica Walker

058 - Writing about Culture/Society - Utopia TR 930-1045 (Shannon 108) Emelye Keyser

059 - Writing about Culture/Society - Rethinking Domesticity MWF 1200-1250 (Shannon 109) DeVan Ard

060 - Writing about Culture/Society - MWF 300-350 (Bryan 312) Ankita Chakrabarti

061 - Writing about Science & Tech -  Citizen Science TR 1230-145 (Bryan 310) Cory Shaman

062 - Writing about Culture/Society -  The Almighty Dollar: The Culture of Money, Mobility & the American Dream TR 200-315 (Bryan 334) Jessica Walker

063 - Writing and Community Engagement - Rewriting Race, Place, & History at UVA TR 200-315 (Maury 104) Anastatia Curley

064 - Writing about the Arts - Writing about Aesthetics MW 500-615 (Bryan 312) Kaelin Foody

066 - Writing about Culture/Society - TR 330-445 (Bryan 310) Raisa Tolchinsky

067 - Writing about Culture/Society -  Beauty and Thievery in the Modern Museum TR 200-315 (Bryan 332)

068 - Writing about Identities - Experiments in Learning TR 1100-1215 (Bryan 312) Steph Ceraso

How do humans learn? When and where does learning occur? Why are we better at learning some things than others? Is it possible to learn how to learn? What does it mean to really learn something? This seminar will serve as a collective inquiry into the experience of learning. We will be reading and writing about a range of topics related to learning, such as curiosity, motivation, failure, boredom, attention and distraction, uncertainty, and more. In addition, our own histories of and investments in learning will serve as key course texts. Rather than talking about learning in an abstract way, you will spend a lot of time examining your own formal and informal learning experiences. Play and experimentation are also core principles of this class. Alongside more traditional writing assignments, you will get to create a mini video documentary about learning something new and participate in various “learning experiments” throughout the semester.

069 - Writing about Identities - MWF 1200-1250 (Shannon 108)

070 - Writing about Culture/Society - Writing about Food TR 630-745 (Bryan 310) Keith Driver

071 - Writing & Community Engagement - Your Fave is Problematic: Pop Culture Criticism in the 21st Century MW 630-745 (Bryan 310) Vallaire Wallace

Whether we like it or not, popular culture dominates our lives. From Beyonce to The Office, no one can escape the powerful influence media has on our identities. This writing intensive seminar is focused on challenging everything that we as a society deem popular – the movies, TV shows, and books that have become a part of our everyday conversations. For though popular culture excites us enough to share and discuss with others, we cannot ignore the problematic parts of it. 

In this course, we will explore what makes certain media in our culture “popular,” as well as what “popularity” means in general. We’ll also challenge and ask difficult questions about the culture we love so much. We’ll write essays about the pop culture we encounter throughout the course, becoming ourselves better critics and more aware of the media we encounter going forward. In doing so, we will learn more about what it means to be critics in a world where pop culture follows us wherever we go.

072 - Writing about the Arts - STORY(RE)TELLING TR 1230-145 (Bryan 312) Gahl Pratt Pardes

073 - Writing about Culture/Society - Utopia  TR 800-915 (Bryan 334) Emelye Keyser

074 - Writing & Community Engagement - Writing about Work MW 330-445 (Bryan 334) Piers Gelly

075 - Writing about Identities -  The Art of Journaling TR 1230-145 (Shannon 108) Hodges Adams

076 - Writing & Community Engagement - Writing Our Own Histories TR 200-315 (Bryan 312) Emelye Keyser

077 - Writing & Community Engagement - Writing about Work TR 330-445 (Bryan 312) Piers Gelly

078 - Writing about Culture/Society - Microcosms: Little Universes to Big Inquiries TR 630-745 (Bryan 312) Nehali Patel

ENWR 1520 - Writing and Community Engagement (2 sections)

001 - Writing about Housing Equity TR 1230-145 (Shannon 109) Kate Stephenson

Why do we live where we do? How does housing impact our access to education, food, medical care, and other resources? What can the local built environment tell us about access to housing? Why are some people homeless? What is affordable housing and why is there so little of it? By partnering with The Haven and using different types of writing, including journal entries, forum posts, peer reviews, and formal papers, we will explore topics like homelessness, affordable housing, privilege, food insecurity, the eviction crisis, systems of power, and community engagement.  We will also work with The Haven Writer's Circle to produce an online zine at the end of the semester.

002 - Writing about Food Justice TR 930-1045 (Bryan 334) Kate Stephenson

Why do we eat what we eat? Do poor people eat more fast food than wealthy people? Why do men like to eat steak more than women? Why are Cheetos cheaper than cherries? Do you have to be skinny to be hungry? By partnering with a local community garden and using different types of writing, including journal entries, forum posts, peer reviews, and formal papers, we will explore topics like hunger stereotypes, privilege, food insecurity, food production, and community engagement.  

ENWR 2510 - Advanced Writing Seminar (6 sections)

001 - Writing about Identities - Ourselves & Others TR 1230-145 (Bryan 332) Jim Seitz

002 - Writing about Identities - Apology/Life Writing TR 200-315 (Bryan 330) Tamika Carey

003 - Writing about Identities - MW 330-445 (Shannon 111)

004 - Writing & Community Engagement - Writing Charlottesville TR 1100-1215 (New Cabell 209) Kevin Smith

005 - Writing & Community Engagement - Writing Charlottesville   TR 1230-145 (New Cabell 209) Kevin Smith

006 - Writing & Community Engagement -  Writing Human/Democratic Rights M 600-830 (New Cabell 338) Stephen Parks

Beyond First-Year Writing Courses

Enwr 2520 - special topics in writing (5 sections).

001 - Rewriting Yourself: Literacy & the Brain MWF 1100-1150 (Maury 115) Heidi Nobles

What do we know and what are we still learning about writing and the human brain? Literacy has dramatically reshaped the human brain over millennia. Yet as literacy itself evolves, we still lack satisfactory data on how writing (and its counterpart, reading) affects our neurology and cognition--and therefore, how literacy affects who we are as humans. In this reading- and writing-intensive course, we will read a range of work on literacy and cognition, including technical and popular treatments of issues such as reading and neural development, brain function during writing tasks, brain activity connected to other creative tasks, and more. We’ll read work from creativity experts, neurologists and cognitive scientists, psychologists, mental health practitioners, computer scientists, and professional writers and editors, all in trying to understand the relationship between literacy and our minds. Reading assignments will include 1-4 extended “read-in” activities; writing assignments will include a combination of creative, reflective, and research-based projects. By the term’s end, you should have an enriched sense of yourself as a reader and writer, and how your literacy practices play into your larger identity.

Note: This class welcomes students with multiple interests and backgrounds for interdisciplinary discussions about how reading and writing affect us all. Students with prior experience in or specialized interest in the brain will be able to dive deeper; students who are more inclined toward the arts and humanities can also expect engaging readings and lively writing assignments.

003 - Vegan Writing TR 200-315 (Astronomy Building 265) Lindgren Johnson

004 - SCI & Medical Communications MWF 100-150 (Bryan 310) Kiera Allison

005 - History and Culture of Writing at UVA MWF 1200-1250 (Maury 115) Heidi Nobles

The University of Virginia, founded in 1819, began with a rich history of writing and writers; that tradition continues today. But with so many different writing activities taking place across Grounds and across time, we may not fully appreciate what all this culture means.

In this course, you will both research and contribute to the culture of writing at UVA. You’ll have a chance to read the (mostly unpublished) writing of past students and faculty, to see where we’ve come from.

You’ll investigate current writing activities across Grounds, helping put together a puzzle that reveals what and how we’re writing today. And finally, you’ll create your own original writing to add to our university archives, making your mark for future generations to read. Through this hands-on literary adventure, you will gain a holistic sense of UVA's rich writing culture and your place, as well.

006 - Audible Writing MWF 100-150 (Bryan 328) Jon D'Errico

ENWR 2610 - Writing with Style

001 TR 200-315 (Bryan 235) Keith Driver

ENWR 2700 - News Writing

No fake news here, but rather progressive exercises in developing the news-writing style of writing from straight hard news to "soft" features. Satisfies Second Writing Requirement.

001 TR 930-1045 (Bryan 203) Brian Kelly

002 TR 800-915 (Bryan 203) Brian Kelly

ENWR 2800 - Public Speaking

001 MWF 1000-1050 (Bryan 310) Kiera Allison

002 MWF 900-950 (Bryan 310) Kiera Allison

ENWR 3620 - Writing & Tutoring Across Cultures

TR 330-445 (Bryan 332) Kate Kostelnik

In this course, we’ll look at a variety of texts from academic arguments, narratives, and pedagogies, to consider what it means to write, communicate, and learn across cultures. Topics will include contrastive rhetorics, world Englishes, rhetorical listening, and tutoring multilingual writers. A service-learning component will require students to virtually tutor students in sections of ENWR1506, my first-year writing courses. We will discuss pedagogies and practical, strengths-based strategies in working with multi-lingual learners on their writing; tutor first-years; and create writing projects that convey learning from these experiences. While the course will specifically prepare students to tutor multilingual writers, these skills are adaptable and applicable across disciplines and discourses. Our techniques and pedagogies will also be applicable to native-speakers. Basically, students will learn how to use dialogic engagement to support collaboration and conversation across cultures. Self-designed final writing projects will give students from various majors—education, public policy, commerce, social sciences, and STEM—the opportunity to combine their specific discourse knowledge with our course content. Additionally, students who successfully complete the course are invited to apply to work on the UVa writing center.  

ENWR 3640 - Writing with Sound

TR 200-315 (Bryan 328) Steph Ceraso

In this collaborative, project-based course, students will learn to script, design, edit, and produce an original podcast about UVA’s Memorial to Enslaved Laborers. In addition to reading about and practicing professional audio storytelling techniques (e.g. interviewing, writing for the ear, sound design), students will research and reflect upon the history of slavery at the University of Virginia—including its connections to present day racism and white supremacy in Charlottesville and beyond. No experience with digital audio editing is necessary. Beginners welcome!

ENWR 3665 - Writing about the Environment

TR 200-315 (Bryan 310) Cory Shaman

ENWR 3730 - African American Rhetorics

TR 1100-1215 (Bryan 330) Tamika Carey

ENWR 3900 - Career-Based Writing and Rhetoric

MW 330-445 (Shannon 109) John Thomas Casteen IV

Integrated website and mobile app for ALL college application requirements

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UVA Releases Fall 2021 Prompts

UVA Release Fall 2021 Prompts

Thank you to UVA for getting ahead of the curve and releasing its 2020-2021 essays. They split Arts and Sciences and Engineering into two separate questions and replaced one of their other prompts. We are tracking all college application essays requirements.

We are grateful to the UVA Admission Blog, June 8. 

https://uvaapplication.blogspot.com/2020/06/2020-2021-uva-application-writing.html?fbclid=IwAR2OuzrTqKv8iiS551eorKmY8BAQvJZf95-zAjHdM8K-qjVrY8VYB_nqtJE

In addition to the Common Application, applicants must answer two additional prompts: one that relates to the school to which they applying and one from a list of five choices. 

2020-2021 First-Year Application Writing Prompts

1. We are looking for passionate students to join our diverse community of scholars, researchers, and artists. Answer the question that corresponds to the school/program to which you are applying in a half page or roughly 250 words.   (Required, 300 word max Paste in or Google Drive Share)

• College of Arts and Sciences  – What work of art, music, science, mathematics, literature, or other media has surprised, unsettled, or inspired you, and in what way?
• School of Engineering and Applied Sciences  – Describe an engineering feat that serves the common good and why it inspires you to study engineering.
• School of Architecture  – Describe a significant experience that deepened your interest in studying in the School of Architecture.
• School of Nursing  – Describe a health care-related experience or another significant interaction that deepened your interest in studying nursing.
• Kinesiology Program  – Discuss experiences that led you to apply to the kinesiology major.

2. Answer  one of the following questions in a half page or roughly 250 words.f

• What’s your favorite word and why?
• We are a community with quirks, both in language and in traditions. Describe one of your quirks and why it is part of who you are.
• Student self-governance, which encourages student investment and initiative, is a hallmark of the UVA culture. In her fourth year at UVA, Laura Nelson was inspired to create Flash Seminars, one-time classes which facilitate high-energy discussion about thought-provoking topics outside of traditional coursework. If you created a Flash Seminar, what idea would you explore and why?
• UVA students paint messages on Beta Bridge when they want to share information with our community. What would you paint on Beta Bridge and why is this your message?
• Rita Dove, UVA English professor and former U.S. Poet Laureate, once said in an interview that “…there are times in life when, instead of complaining, you do something about your complaints.” Describe a time when, instead of complaining, you took action for the greater good.

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Nonfiction Books » Essays

The best essays: the 2021 pen/diamonstein-spielvogel award, recommended by adam gopnik.

WINNER OF the 2021 PEN/Diamonstein-Spielvogel Award for the Art of the Essay

Had I Known: Collected Essays by Barbara Ehrenreich

Every year, the judges of the PEN/Diamonstein-Spielvogel Award for the Art of the Essay search out the best book of essays written in the past year and draw attention to the author's entire body of work. Here, Adam Gopnik , writer, journalist and PEN essay prize judge, emphasizes the role of the essay in bearing witness and explains why the five collections that reached the 2021 shortlist are, in their different ways, so important.

Interview by Benedict King

Unfinished Business: Notes of a Chronic Re-Reader by Vivian Gornick

Nature Matrix: New and Selected Essays by Robert Michael Pyle

Terroir: Love, Out of Place by Natasha Sajé

Maybe the People Would be the Times by Luc Sante

1 Had I Known: Collected Essays by Barbara Ehrenreich

2 unfinished business: notes of a chronic re-reader by vivian gornick, 3 nature matrix: new and selected essays by robert michael pyle, 4 terroir: love, out of place by natasha sajé, 5 maybe the people would be the times by luc sante.

W e’re talking about the books shortlisted for the 2021 PEN/Diamonstein-Spielvogel Award for the Art of the Essay . As an essayist yourself, or as a reader of essays, what are you looking for? What’s the key to a good essay ?

Let’s turn to the books that made the shortlist of the 2021 PEN Award for the Art of the Essay. The winning book was Had I Known: Collected Essays by Barbara Ehrenreich , whose books have been recommended a number of times on Five Books. Tell me more. 

One of the criteria for this particular prize is that it should be not just for a single book, but for a body of work. One of the things we wanted to honour about Barbara Ehrenreich is that she has produced a remarkable body of work. Although it’s offered in a more specifically political register than some essayists, or that a great many past prize winners have practised, the quiddity of her work is that it remains rooted in personal experience, in the act of bearing witness. She has a passionate political point to make, certainly, a series of them, many seeming all the more relevant now than when she began writing. Nonetheless, her writing still always depends on the intimacy of first-hand knowledge, what people in post-incarceration work call ‘lived experience’ (a term with a distinguished philosophical history). Her book Nickel and Dimed is the classic example of that. She never writes from a distance about working-class life in America. She bears witness to the nature and real texture of working-class life in America.

“One point of giving awards…is to keep passing the small torches of literary tradition”

Next up of the books on the 2021 PEN essay prize shortlist is Unfinished Business: Notes of a Chronic Re-Reader by Vivian Gornick.

Vivian Gornick is a writer who’s been around for a very long time. Although longevity is not in itself a criterion for excellence—or for this prize, or in the writing life generally—persistence and perseverance are. Writers who keep coming back at us, again and again, with a consistent vision, are surely to be saluted. For her admirers, her appetite to re-read things already read is one of the most attractive parts of her oeuvre , if I can call it that; her appetite not just to read but to read deeply and personally. One of the things that people who love her work love about it is that her readings are never academic, or touched by scholarly hobbyhorsing. They’re readings that involve the fullness of her experience, then applied to literature. Although she reads as a critic, she reads as an essayist reads, rather than as a reviewer reads. And I think that was one of the things that was there to honour in her body of work, as well.

Is she a novelist or journalist, as well?

Let’s move on to the next book which made the 2021 PEN essay shortlist. This is Nature Matrix: New and Selected Essays by Robert Michael Pyle.

I have a special reason for liking this book in particular, and that is that it corresponds to one of the richest and oldest of American genres, now often overlooked, and that’s the naturalist essay. You can track it back to Henry David Thoreau , if not to Ralph Waldo Emerson , this American engagement with nature , the wilderness, not from a narrowly scientific point of view, nor from a purely ecological or environmental point of view—though those things are part of it—but again, from the point of view of lived experience, of personal testimony.

Let’s look at the next book on the shortlist of the 2021 PEN Awards, which is Terroir: Love, Out of Place by Natasha Sajé. Why did these essays appeal?

One of the things that was appealing about this book is that’s it very much about, in every sense, the issues of the day: the idea of place, of where we are, how we are located on any map as individuals by ethnic identity, class, gender—all of those things. But rather than being carried forward in a narrowly argumentative way, again, in the classic manner of the essay, Sajé’s work is ruminative. It walks around these issues from the point of view of someone who’s an expatriate, someone who’s an émigré, someone who’s a world citizen, but who’s also concerned with the idea of ‘terroir’, the one place in the world where we belong. And I think the dialogue in her work between a kind of cosmopolitanism that she has along with her self-critical examination of the problem of localism and where we sit on the world, was inspiring to us.

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Last of the books on the shortlist for the 2021 Pen essay award is Maybe the People Would Be the Times by Luc Sante.

Again, here’s a writer who’s had a distinguished generalised career, writing about lots of places and about lots of subjects. In the past, he’s made his special preoccupation what he calls ‘low life’, but I think more broadly can be called the marginalized or the repressed and abject. He’s also written acute introductions to the literature of ‘low life’, the works of Asbury and David Maurer, for instance.

But I think one of the things that was appealing about what he’s done is the sheer range of his enterprise. He writes about countless subjects. He can write about A-sides and B-sides of popular records—singles—then go on to write about Jacques Rivette’s cinema. He writes from a kind of private inspection of public experience. He has a lovely piece about tabloid headlines and their evolution. And I think that omnivorous range of enthusiasms and passions is a stirring reminder in a time of specialization and compartmentalization of the essayist’s freedom to roam. If Pyle is in the tradition of Thoreau, I suspect Luc Sante would be proud to be put in the tradition of Baudelaire—the flaneur who walks the streets, sees everything, broods on it all and writes about it well.

One point of giving awards, with all their built-in absurdity and inevitable injustice, is to keep alive, or at least to keep passing, the small torches of literary tradition. And just as much as we’re honoring the great tradition of the naturalist essay in the one case, I think we’re honoring the tradition of the Baudelairean flaneur in this one.

April 18, 2021

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Adam Gopnik

Adam Gopnik has been a staff writer at the New Yorker since 1986. His many books include A Thousand Small Sanities: The Moral Adventure of Liberalism . He is a three time winner of the National Magazine Award for Essays & Criticism, and in 2021 was made a chevalier of the Legion d'Honneur by the French Republic.

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The Shenandoah County School Board’s Terrible History Lesson

O n May 10, 2024, 161 years to the day after General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson’s last breath fighting for the Confederate insurrection intended to continue enslavement of human beings in America, the Shenandoah County School Board voted 5-1 to restore his name on a high school in rural Virginia.

More than 50 concerned community members, students, and parents, including one of the first African Americans to integrate Stonewall Jackson High School in 1963, and hundreds of their supporters, continued to advocate a new reckoning of the county’s heritage of enslavement, segregation, and racial injustice. They affirmed the names a community committee selected in 2021 renaming the school as Mountain View High and another school named after Confederate generals Turner Ashby and Robert E. Lee as Honey Run Elementary.

But the school board heard none of it. Instead, the board sided with those idolizing the faith and loyalty of “heroes” like Jackson, condemning pandemic-related processes that did not take into account the voices of “we the people,” and complaining about “woke outsiders.” At the end of the board meeting, the board had delivered a disgraceful new chapter in our community’s history and a terrible lesson for the children they are sworn to educate.

Historians will debate the consequences of the board’s vote and perhaps whether the nation’s current political mood has rekindled racial tensions. But the school board members and their embittered supporters made it clear that the shadows of our segregated past still loom large.

For context, we should look at 2020, particularly the 8 minutes and 46 seconds of video that emblazoned the truth of racial injustice in America. After George Floyd’s murder by police in May of that year, national, state, and local leaders across the nation took up resolutions against racism, including Shenandoah County’s Board of Supervisors and the county School Board.

At around the same time in our mountain-cradled county, another incident reminded us of America’s lingering racial unrest: an encounter between a white mob and a black pastor in Edinburg, Va. On June 1, 2020, Pastor McCray approached a couple illegally dumping a refrigerator on his property, asking them to leave. They left, returned with three more people and began “attacking him physically, saying ‘they don’t give a darn’ about ‘my black life and the Black Lives Matter stuff,’ and telling him they would ‘kill’ him,” according to Associated Press reports. McCray put distance between himself and the mob by brandishing a gun that he was legally licensed to carry. When the police arrived, they arrested the Black man with the gun.

The Shenandoah County Sheriff later apologized for the incident, but it reinforces the need for formal resolutions against racism and leaders willing to make difficult decisions for a more inclusive community. The Shenandoah County School Board at the time agreed. They chose action, encouraged by then-Department of Education secretary Atif Qarni and then-Governor Ralph Northam, both of whom supported statewide removal of Confederate leaders’ names of public schools.

The 2020 school board, tying in as the next step to its June “Resolution condemning racism and affirming the division’s commitment to an inclusive school environment for all,” retired the names of Confederate leaders, and developed a process for community and student input into choosing more unifying public school names. On September 10, 2020, the then school board reaffirmed the foregoing motion, as well as moving forward with renaming the schools on southern campus. Community committees met during the next three months, with new names chosen at the January 14, 2021 meeting, after seven months of public input.

By 2024, recently elected school board members focused their arguments for restoration on the former board’s “secret” process during the COVID “plan-demic,” stating that community input was not taken into account at the time. Two years before, three current school board members ran on a campaign to restore the school’s Confederate leader names, an attempt that ended at the June 9, 2022 school board meeting with a 3-3 stalemate. The current board consists of three more new school board members, elected in the fall of 2023. Like many school boards around the nation, ours has committed to reversing civil rights often under the lost-cause banner of Confederate pride.

The memory of Stonewall Jackson High School as a whites-only public institution until its integration in 1963 is not a distant echo of history but an agonizing experience for many Black residents of Shenandoah County. These individuals are not just statistics in history books; they are our neighbors, friends, and family—and they were intentionally harmed in Shenandoah County as the Civil Rights movement gained momentum in the 1950s.

Read More: Confederate Monuments and Other Disputed Memorials Have Come Down in Cities Across America. What Should Take Their Place?

And now again in 2024. Dozens of citizens, alum, parents, and current students of the schools addressed the board, offering poignant testimony about lived experiences with institutionalized discrimination or in support of others who had. Approximately two-thirds of the speakers opposed back-naming the schools. For them, returning to Confederate leader names makes the damage linger.

Aliyah Ogle, a student who represented her school in three sports this year and would be attending the renamed high school next year, said it best: “I'm a black student and if the name is restored, I would have to represent a man that fought for my ancestors to be slaves. That makes me feel like I'm disrespecting my ancestors and going against what my family and I believe, which is that we should all be treated equally, and that slavery was a cruel and awful thing.”

Most of the board members could not have cared less about the county’s 252 year history. They were more concerned for judging the 2020 school board’s actions and recognizing the Confederate heritage of the county. Their brand of leadership consisted of telling the people they represent that we all have problems of one kind or another; it’s time to move on. “War is hell,” said Dennis Barlow, chairman of the Shenandoah County School Board. They were joined by two dozen pro-Confederacy speakers, claiming there is no evident racism in Shenandoah County, and never has been.

Board member Tom Streett used his decision to discuss pro-slavery General Jackson. “When you read about this man — who he was, what he stood for, his character, his loyalty, his leadership, how Godly a man he was — those standards that he had were much higher than any leadership of the school system in 2020,” Streett said.

Streett, however, neglected to mention that even Jackson’s descendants have weighed in on this legacy issue. For the past seven years, the general’s great-great grandsons, William Jackson Christian and Warren Edmund Christian, have said they support removing Confederate statues and other monuments—including in Shenandoah County this week—as “part of a larger project of actively mending the racial disparities that hundreds of years of white supremacy have wrought.” They added that they were “ashamed to benefit from white supremacy while our black family and friends suffer.”

Yet Shenandoah County’s school board and its grievance agenda does nothing to provide historical context, advance dialogue, or heal the feelings of well-meaning citizens. Using the same policy the 2021 school board used to name Mountain View and Honey Run, the 2024 board defiantly focused on undoing the decision and giving voice to the people they wanted to hear. The decision unfairly places our children as pawns on a rhetorical battlefield, keeping the board’s focus on vengeance and political control—not due process or heritage. But it’s more dangerous than just talk and hard feelings: The county remains on the radar of the Southern Poverty Law Center , which tracks white supremacists, including ongoing activity by the Patriot Front. To address this reality, we need better, sensible leadership from our school board. But for now, we must live with a stark reminder that elections have consequences.

Looking ahead, the many good people of our county will strive to ensure that our complete history, good and bad, remains available to students and the public. We must find a way to truly honor our whole heritage without insisting that students salute pro-slavery traitors or the treatment of their ancestors as subhuman property for almost 400 years.

If the U.S. Department of Defense can rename military bases once emblazoned with Confederate leaders’ names, then our public schools can do the same. After all, these are the spaces where the first lessons of civic duties are learned. History is complicated, no doubt, but there’s no better place to examine complex issues than in a good school. Other nations and communities reckon with difficult pasts. In Germany, for example, students still learn about Adolf Hitler, but they are not forced to wear sports jerseys and school-pride t-shirts that glorify symbols or names associated with murderous war crimes.

Our fight for what’s right in Shenandoah County is not over. We will continue to oppose historical injustices and help all constituencies in our community learn from the lessons of our past. As it has throughout our nation’s history, the work of decent people striving for a better, more united America will go on. We hope the school board here can find a way to join us along the way.

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At Justice Alito’s House, a ‘Stop the Steal’ Symbol on Display

An upside-down flag, adopted by Trump supporters contesting the Biden victory, flew over the justice’s front lawn as the Supreme Court was considering an election case.

A photo obtained by The Times shows an inverted flag at the Alito residence on Jan. 17, 2021, three days before the Biden inauguration. Credit...

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By Jodi Kantor

Jodi Kantor, who has been reporting on the Supreme Court, including the behind-the-scenes story of how the justices overturned the right to abortion, welcomes tips at nytimes.com/tips .

• May 16, 2024

After the 2020 presidential election, as some Trump supporters falsely claimed that President Biden had stolen the office, many of them displayed a startling symbol outside their homes, on their cars and in online posts: an upside-down American flag.

One of the homes flying an inverted flag during that time was the residence of Supreme Court Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr., in Alexandria, Va., according to photographs and interviews with neighbors.

The upside-down flag was aloft on Jan. 17, 2021, the images showed. President Donald J. Trump’s supporters, including some brandishing the same symbol, had rioted at the Capitol a little over a week before. Mr. Biden’s inauguration was three days away. Alarmed neighbors snapped photographs, some of which were recently obtained by The New York Times. Word of the flag filtered back to the court, people who worked there said in interviews.

While the flag was up, the court was still contending with whether to hear a 2020 election case, with Justice Alito on the losing end of that decision. In coming weeks, the justices will rule on two climactic cases involving the storming of the Capitol on Jan. 6, including whether Mr. Trump has immunity for his actions. Their decisions will shape how accountable he can be held for trying to overturn the last presidential election and his chances for re-election in the upcoming one.

“I had no involvement whatsoever in the flying of the flag,” Justice Alito said in an emailed statement to The Times. “It was briefly placed by Mrs. Alito in response to a neighbor’s use of objectionable and personally insulting language on yard signs.”

Judicial experts said in interviews that the flag was a clear violation of ethics rules, which seek to avoid even the appearance of bias, and could sow doubt about Justice Alito’s impartiality in cases related to the election and the Capitol riot.

The mere impression of political opinion can be a problem, the ethics experts said. “It might be his spouse or someone else living in his home, but he shouldn’t have it in his yard as his message to the world,” said Amanda Frost, a law professor at the University of Virginia.

This is “the equivalent of putting a ‘Stop the Steal’ sign in your yard, which is a problem if you’re deciding election-related cases,” she said.

Interviews show that the justice’s wife, Martha-Ann Alito, had been in a dispute with another family on the block over an anti-Trump sign on their lawn, but given the timing and the starkness of the symbol, neighbors interpreted the inverted flag as a political statement by the couple.

The longstanding ethics code for the lower courts, as well as the recent one adopted by the Supreme Court, stresses the need for judges to remain independent and avoid political statements or opinions on matters that could come before them.

“You always want to be proactive about the appearance of impartiality,” Jeremy Fogel, a former federal judge and the director of the Berkeley Judicial Institute, said in an interview. “The best practice would be to make sure that nothing like that is in front of your house.”

The court has also repeatedly warned its own employees against public displays of partisan views, according to guidelines circulated to the staff and reviewed by The Times. Displaying signs or bumper stickers is not permitted, according to the court’s internal rule book and a 2022 memo reiterating the ban on political activity.

Asked if these rules also apply to justices, the court declined to respond.

The exact duration that the flag flew outside the Alito residence is unclear. In an email from Jan. 18, 2021, reviewed by The Times, a neighbor wrote to a relative that the flag had been upside down for several days at that point.

In recent years, the quiet sanctuary of his street, with residents who are Republicans and Democrats, has tensed with conflict, neighbors said. Around the 2020 election , a family on the block displayed an anti-Trump sign with an expletive. It apparently offended Mrs. Alito and led to an escalating clash between her and the family, according to interviews.

Some residents have also bridled at the noise and intrusion brought by protesters, who started showing up outside the Alito residence in 2022 after the Supreme Court overturned the federal right to abortion. Other neighbors have joined the demonstrators, whose intent was “to bring the protest to their personal lives because the decisions affect our personal lives,” said Heather-Ann Irons, who came to the street to protest.

The half-dozen neighbors who saw the flag, or knew of it, requested anonymity because they said they did not want to add to the contentiousness on the block and feared reprisal. Last Saturday, May 11, protesters returned to the street, waving flags of their own (“Don’t Tread on My Uterus”) and using a megaphone to broadcast expletives at Justice Alito, who was in Ohio giving a commencement address . Mrs. Alito appeared in a window, complaining to the Supreme Court security detail outside.

Turning the American flag upside down is a symbol of emergency and distress, first used as a military S.O.S., historians said in interviews. In recent decades, it has increasingly been used as a political protest symbol — a controversial one, because the flag code and military tradition require the paramount symbol of the United States to be treated with respect.

Over the years, upside-down flags have been displayed by both the right and the left as an outcry over a range of issues, including the Vietnam War, gun violence , the Supreme Court’s overturning of the constitutional right to abortion and, in particular, election results. In 2012, Tea Party followers inverted flags at their homes to signal disgust at the re-election of President Barack Obama. Four years later, some liberals advised doing the same after Mr. Trump was elected.

During Mr. Trump’s quest to win, and then subvert, the 2020 election, the gesture took off as never before, becoming “really established as a symbol of the ‘Stop the Steal’ campaign,” according to Alex Newhouse, a researcher at the University of Colorado Boulder.

A flood of social media posts exhorted Trump supporters to flip over their flags or purchase new ones to display upside down.

“If Jan. 6 rolls around and Biden is confirmed by the Electoral College our nation is in distress!!” a poster wrote on Patriots.win, a forum for Trump supporters, garnering over a thousand “up” votes. “If you cannot go to the DC rally then you must do your duty and show your support for our president by flying the flag upside down!!!!”

Local newspapers from Lexington, Ky. , to Sun City, Ariz., to North Jersey wrote about the flags cropping up nearby. A few days before the inauguration, a Senate candidate in Minnesota flew an upside-down flag on his campaign vehicle .

Hanging an inverted flag outside a home was “an explicit signifier that you are part of this community that believes America has been taken and needs to be taken back,” Mr. Newhouse said.

This spring, the justices are already laboring under suspicion by many Americans that whatever decisions they make about the Jan. 6 cases will be partisan. Justice Clarence Thomas has declined to recuse himself despite the direct involvement of his wife, Virginia Thomas, in efforts to overturn the election.

Now, with decisions in the Jan. 6 cases expected in just a few weeks, a similar debate may unfurl about Justice Alito, the ethics experts said. “It really is a question of appearances and the potential impact on public confidence in the court,” Mr. Fogel said. “I think it would be better for the court if he weren’t involved in cases arising from the 2020 election. But I’m pretty certain that he will see that differently.”

If Justice Alito were on another court, Mr. Fogel said, the flag could also trigger some sort of review to determine if there was any misconduct. But because the Supreme Court serves as the arbiter of its own behavior, “you don’t really have anywhere to take it,” he said.

Aric Toler contributed reporting. Julie Tate contributed research.

Jodi Kantor is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter and co-author of “She Said,” which recounts how she and Megan Twohey broke the story of sexual abuse allegations against Harvey Weinstein, helping to ignite the #MeToo movement.    Instagram • More about Jodi Kantor

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Virginia Baseball Run-Rules Virginia Tech 13-3 to Clinch Series Win

Matt newton | may 17, 2024.

The last point of the 2023-2024 Commonwealth Clash goes to Virginia. The Cavaliers had already wrapped up this year's version of the Clash in a landslide, but UVA baseball put the finishing touches on a dominant athletic year in the in-state rivalry by clinching the weekend series in convincing fashion. After homering three times in Thursday's 7-3 series-opening win over the Hokies , the Cavaliers doubled that number on Friday, hitting six home runs as No. 18 Virginia (39-14, 17-12 ACC) overpowered Virginia Tech (32-19, 14-15 ACC) for a 13-3 run-rule victory in seven innings on Friday afternoon at Disharoon Park.

Virginia Tech drew first blood, as UVA starter Joe Savino gave up two singles and then an RBI double to Gehrig Ebel in the top of the first inning. Virginia went down in order in the bottom of the first, but then evened things up in the second as Harrison Didawick hit his second home run in as many games and 21st of the season.

𝘼𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙙𝙖𝙮, 𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙧. No. 2️⃣1️⃣ for Harrison Didawick evens the game a 1! 📺: ACCNX | #GoHoos pic.twitter.com/OmJHZKqphk — Virginia Baseball (@UVABaseball) May 17, 2024

Savino bounced back after the early blemish to work easily through the second and third. UVA took its first lead of the day in the bottom of the third, an inning that started with Bobby Whalen and Griff O'Ferrall hitting back-to-back singles. An Ethan Anderson groundout scored Whalen, a Henry Ford single scored O'Ferrall, and then two more singles from Jacob Ference and Didawick brought home Ford to make it 4-1 Virginia.

Savino issued a pair of walks to start the fourth, but used a double-play to help himself out of the jam. The UVA bats opened things up in the fourth with three home runs in a single frame. Eric Becker hit a leadoff solo shot for his second home run of the series.

𝐁𝐄𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐑 𝐁𝐀𝐒𝐇!!! His 8th of the year, second of the series! 📺: ACCNX | #GoHoos pic.twitter.com/yyrqmslGLn — Virginia Baseball (@UVABaseball) May 17, 2024

Whalen drew a walk and O'Ferrall singled and then Anderson scored them both with a three-run blast into the bullpen in right field.

Ethan Anderson ➡️ The Bringer of Rain! 📺: ACCNX | #GoHoos pic.twitter.com/NRKsLxYtWT — Virginia Baseball (@UVABaseball) May 17, 2024

Casey Saucke followed that up with another home run, UVA's fourth of the game and the team's 100th home run of the season. For context, the 2023 Virginia baseball team set a new program record with 83 home runs last season, breaking the previous record of 75 homers set by the 2022 Cavaliers.

𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝟭𝟬𝟬𝘁𝗵 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗦𝗮𝘂𝗰𝗸𝗲 💣 Casey Saucke goes back-to-back with Anderson, its 9-1 UVA in the 4th! 📺: ACCNX | #GoHoos pic.twitter.com/SOw6yQ4NQx — Virginia Baseball (@UVABaseball) May 17, 2024

After another perfect inning from Savino in the top of the fifth, Virginia scored two more runs in the bottom half. How were those runs scored? You guessed it, another home run, the second of the day for Ethan Anderson to make it 11-1.

✌️ ABs, ✌️ HRs for Ethan Anderson! Hoos go up double digits in the 5th! 📺: ACCNX | #GoHoos pic.twitter.com/8HpthhrUHC — Virginia Baseball (@UVABaseball) May 17, 2024

The Hokies temporarily got themselves out of run-rule territory with a two-run single from Jake Slade off of Blake Barker in the top of the sixth. UVA corrected that quickly in the bottom of the sixth, getting a sixth home run from Henry Godbout, a two-run blast to make it 13-3.

Ryan Osinski faced the minimum in the top of the seventh, issuing a walk but then inducing a 1-6-3 double-play and a fly-out to trigger the run-rule and secure Virginia's 13-3 victory.

Joe Savino earned the win with an excellent start on the mound, allowing just two earned runs on four hits in five innings of work. Ethan Anderson led the way offensively for the Cavaliers, going 2 for 4 with two home runs and six RBI. Nine different Cavaliers recorded a hit in the game and five had multi-hit games.

With UVA picking up the series-clinching win, the 2023-2024 Commonwealth Clash has concluded with Virginia beating Virginia Tech 15-7 in the year-long all-sports rivalry challenge. See the other results of the 2023-2024 Commonwealth Clash here.

Virginia will take aim at the series sweep over Virginia Tech on Saturday at 5pm. The game will be televised on the ACC Network.

MATT NEWTON

Managing Editor and Publisher, CavaliersNow Email: [email protected]: @mattynewtssWebsite | LinkedIn | Instagram Matt Newton is the managing editor and publisher at CavaliersNow. He has been covering UVA athletics since 2019 and has been the managing editor at CavaliersNow since launching the site in August 2021. Matt covers all things UVA sports, including Virginia basketball and football news and recruiting, former Wahoos in the pros, and coverage of all 23 of the NCAA Division I sports teams at the University of Virginia. A native of Downingtown, Pennsylvania, Matt grew up a huge Philadelphia sports fan, but has also been a UVA sports fanatic his entire life thanks to his parents, who are alums of the University of Virginia. Matt followed in his parents' footsteps and attended UVA from 2017-2021, graduating with a degree in Media Studies and a minor in Economics in May of 2021. 

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How to Get Into University of Virginia: Admissions Stats + Tips

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How hard is it to get into the university of virginia, average academic profile of accepted university of virginia students, what is the university of virginia looking for.

• How to Improve Your Chances of Getting into the University of Virginia

Since its founding in 1812 by Thomas Jefferson, the University of Virginia (UVA) has earned a reputation as one of the most prestigious public universities in the nation. UVA prides itself on cultivating leaders and providing education at a reasonable cost on its beautiful and historic campus—it’s one of the few universities in the country that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s no wonder UVA makes the list of CollegeVine’s top 15 public universities in the U.S.

Getting into UVA is hard—only 20.62% of applicants were admitted to its class of 2025 . UVA had a record-breaking 48,011 students apply in the 2020-2021 admission cycle and just 9,898 were offered admission. UVA had 2,937 applicants apply for early decision and accepted 968, for an early decision acceptance rate of 32.96% . A total of 28,897 applicants applied for early action, of which UVA offered admission to 6,186, an early action acceptance rate of 21.41% .

While the University of Virginia’s acceptance rate is incredibly low, your personal chances depend on the strength of your profile, and our free admissions calculator can help you understand your odds at UVA. Using a variety of factors including your grades, test scores, and extracurriculares we estimate your chance of acceptance and offer tips to improve your profile.  

The average high school GPA of UVA’s Class of 2025 is 4.31 . Nearly 90% of students admitted to the class of 2025 had a GPA of 4.0, and over 95% had GPAs higher than 3.5. 

The middle 50% SAT and ACT scores for UVA’s class of 2025 are 1330-1490 and 30-34 .

An impressive 89.6% of the University of Virginia’s class of 2025 graduated in the top 10% of their high school class and 98.3% graduated in the top 25% of their high school class. 

The challenge of gaining admission to UVA depends on whether you’re an in-state or out-of-state student. For in-state students, UVA is a top 40-50 college in terms of profile competitiveness, but for out-of-state students, it’s about as competitive as a top 20 school (more than USC and UCLA and slightly less than UC Berkeley). 

Applicants who apply early decision (ED)/early action (EA) at UVA are accepted at a higher rate than those who apply for regular decision. However, applying ED/EA at UVA does not offer the same advantage that it does at other colleges (and carries minimal weight for in-state students). 

In general, UVA accepts more students off the waitlist than other schools. Waitlisted students should always follow through with the full process. 

How the University of Virginia Evaluates Applications

According to their 2020-2021 Common Data Set, the University of Virginia considers the following factors “very important” :

• Course rigor
• Recommendation letters
• Character/personal qualities 
• State residence

These factors are “important” :

• Test scores
• Extracurricular activities 
• Talent/ability

These are “considered” :

• First generation
• Geographic residence 
• Racial/ethnic status 
• Work experience 
• Volunteer work 

And these are “not considered” :

• Religious affiliation
• Applicant interest 

Discover your chances at hundreds of schools

Our free chancing engine takes into account your history, background, test scores, and extracurricular activities to show you your real chances of admission—and how to improve them.

How to Improve Your Chances of Getting into the University of Virginia 

1. achieve at least a 4.31 average gpa while taking the most challenging classes available.

A competitive applicant to UVA will have great grades in the most challenging coursework available—the university considers course rigor, class rank, and GPA all “very important” to admissions decisions. 

The average high school GPA of UVA’s class of 2025 was 4.31 and roughly nine out of ten students had a high school GPA of 4.0. Students admitted to top-tier schools like UVA will have completed between five and eight AP classes , and out-of-state applicants to UVA will want to err on the high side. 

Colleges that receive tens of thousands of applications annually, such as UVA, use a tool known as the Academic Index to expedite admissions decisions. Academic Index is a representation of an applicant’s entire academic performance as a single number. If your Academic Index doesn’t meet an institution’s standard, you risk being deemed academically unqualified and not having your entire application read. 

If your GPA is lower but you’re earlier on in your high school career, check out our tips for increasing your GPA . If you’re a junior or senior, it will be harder to increase your GPA, so the easiest way to increase your Academic Index is to get a higher test score.

2. Letters of Recommendation

UVA considers letters of recommendation “very important” when making admissions decisions and requires two letters: one from your high school counselor and one from a teacher in a core academic subject. The counselor recommendation provides a broad view of you, while teacher recommendations offer insight into how you’re likely to perform academically. Both counselor and teacher letter of recommendations should speak to your character/personal qualities, which is another factor UVA considers “very important.”

Because teacher recommendations play a considerable role in admissions at UVA, it’s important to receive the best recommendation possible. Students are advised to follow the nine rules for requesting letters of recommendation from teachers : 

• Ask nicely 
• Ask what kind of letter you might get 
• Be professional 
• Include relevant details 
• Make it easy 
• Send a reminder 
• Say thank you

Remember, teachers aren’t compensated for writing letters of recommendation and many end up writing letters for multiple students—make it easy on them and make sure to show your appreciation for the time they spent on it. 

3. Aim for a 1490 SAT and 34 ACT 

The middle 50% SAT/ACT range of accepted students at UVA is 1330-1490 / 30-34 . Any score in the middle 50% is good, but the higher into the range you score, the better your odds of admission are. 

UVA has a long-standing policy of accepting an applicant’s best test scores. They use the top score from each SAT section across all administrations of the same exam. If you submit an ACT score, you’re directed to report the composite and sub-scores as they appear on your official score report without any recalculation. Because of this, sitting for either the SAT or ACT two to three times can increase your score. 

To improve your SAT/ACT score, check out these free CollegeVine resources:

• How to Get a Perfect 1600 Score on the SAT
• How to Get a Perfect 36 Score on the ACT
• More SAT Info and Tips
• More ACT Info and Tips

Challenges presented by COVID-19 led UVA to adopt a test-optional policy for the 2020-2021 admissions cycle and the university will continue this policy for both the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 admissions cycles. 

Just because UVA is test-optional, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t submit test scores. UVA considers them “important” to admissions decisions and students who submit scores are accepted at higher rates than those who don’t. CollegeVine recommends you submit a score if it’s the 25th percentile or above for accepted students at that school (1330 at UVA). You can get recommendations on whether or not you should apply test-optional using our free chancing engine . 

4. Cultivate one or two Tier 1-2 extracurriculars (find your “spike”)

The University of Virginia considers both extracurricular activities and talent/ability “important” to admissions decisions. Your application is more competitive at top schools like UVA if you have a highly developed interest known as a “ spike ” and one or two impressive extracurricular activities that show substantial achievement or leadership supporting it. 

Just how impressive is an extracurricular? The four tiers of extracurriculars are a good guide to understand how influential an activity is:

• Tier 1: home to the most impressive and influential extracurriculars. These activities are uncommon and demonstrate extraordinary achievement or leadership and include everything from being a nationally recognized athlete or winning a prestigious national competition to attending a distinguished merit-based summer program. 
• Tier 2: extracurriculars that show a high level of achievement or leadership but are more common than those of Tier 1. For example, state-level athletic recognition, winning a regional competition, or serving as student body president all fall under Tier 2. 
• Tier 3: where activities that highlight your interests but lack distinction are categorized. These include being captain of a varsity sport and holding a minor leadership position in a well-known club. 
• Tier 4: the least impressive and activities most often seen by admissions officers, including playing a sport, participating in a club, and doing general volunteer work.

5. Write Compelling Essays

Essays are an excellent way for you to separate yourself from other candidates and the University of Virginia considers them “important” when they make admissions decisions. All applicants to UVA are required to answer one of five essay prompts along with an essay prompt corresponding to the program they’re applying to. 

In general, you’ll want to write your essay in your unique voice and use it to show who you are and why you’re a good fit at the school. For essay advice more specific to UVA, check out our article, “ How to Write the University of Virginia Essays 2021-2022 .”

6. Apply Early Action/Early Decision

Applying to UVA early decision/early action can give your odds of admission a boost, especially if you’re an out-of-state applicant. UVA has a three-phase admissions process that includes early decision, early action, and regular decision each with its own acceptance rates:

• 2021 overall acceptance rate: 20.62%

Early decision applications offer the best chances of admissions but are also the most restrictive. If you apply ED at UVA, you’re agreeing to attend if admitted. Early action doesn’t offer the same acceptance advantage as ED, but is far less restrictive; it’s non-binding, which means you’re not committed to attend UVA if accepted and have until May 1 to make a decision of whether or not to attend. 

Applying for early decision to UVA is a good strategy if UVA is your first choice and you’re positive it’s within your budget. Early action is a good option if you have a strong profile without your senior grades and want to wrap up your college search in advance and gain a slight edge in admissions. If neither of those applies to you, regular decision is a good path to follow. 

How to Apply to the University of Virginia 

Application requirements.

The University of Virginia accepts the Common Application. You’ll also need:

• UVA supplemental essay
• Teacher recommendation
• Counselor recommendation 
• School report 
• High school transcript
• Mid-year reports
• Optional: SAT/ACT scores
• Optional: art and architecture supplements

Learn more about the University of Virginia 

Interested in learning more about UVA? Check out these other informative articles: 

• What is the University of Virginia Known For?
• What Does It Cost to Attend the University of Virginia?
• Top 15 Public Universities in the U.S.

Want to know your chances at UVA? Calculate your chances for free right now .

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In reversal, Virginia school board votes to restore Confederate names to 2 schools

FLE - A statue of confederate general Stonewall Jackson is removed on July 1, 2020, in Richmond, Va. Shenandoah County, Virginia’s school board voted 5-1 early Friday, May 10, 2024, to rename Mountain View High School as Stonewall Jackson High School and Honey Run Elementary as Ashby Lee Elementary four years after the names had been removed. AP Photo/Steve Helber)

FLE - A worker attaches a rope as they prepare to remove the statue of Confederate General Stonewall Jackson from its pedestal on July 1, 2020, in Richmond, Va. Shenandoah County, Virginia’s school board voted 5-1 early Friday, May 10, 2024, to rename Mountain View High School as Stonewall Jackson High School and Honey Run Elementary as Ashby Lee Elementary four years after the names had been removed. AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)

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A Virginia school board voted Friday to restore the names of Confederate military leaders to a high school and an elementary school, four years after the names were removed amid nationwide protests calling for a reckoning over racial injustice.

In a reversal experts believe was the first of its kind, Shenandoah County’s school board voted 5-1 to rename Mountain View High School as Stonewall Jackson High School and Honey Run Elementary as Ashby Lee Elementary.

Friday’s vote reversed a decision by the school board in 2020 when school systems across Virginia and the South were removing Confederate names from schools and other public locations in response to the Black Lives Matter movement.

The Southern Poverty Law Center’s Intelligence Project, which maintains a database of more than 2,000 Confederate memorials nationwide, is not aware of another case of a school system restoring a Confederate name that was removed, said senior research analyst Rivka Maizlish.

Overall, the trend toward removal of Confederate names and memorials has continued, even if it has slowed somewhat since 2020, she said, noting that the Army renamed nine installations named for Confederate leaders, and removed a Confederate memorial from Arlington National Cemetery.

In Virginia, local governments had been banned from removing Confederate memorials and statues until the law was changed in 2020, though the statute did not apply to school names.

On Friday, school board members who voted to restore the Confederate names said the previous board ignored popular sentiment and due process when the names were stripped.

Elections in 2023 significantly changed the school board’s makeup, with one board member writing in an op-ed for the Northern Virginia Daily that the results gave Shenandoah County “the first 100% conservative board since anyone can remember.”

That board member, Gloria Carlineo, said during the six-hour meeting that began Thursday night that opponents of the Confederate names should “stop bringing racism and prejudice into everything” because it “detracts from true cases of racism.”

The lone board member to vote against restoring the Confederate names, Kyle Gutshall, said he respected both sides of the debate but believed a majority of residents in his district wanted to leave the Mountain View and Honey Run names in place.

“I don’t judge anybody or look down on anybody for the decision they’re making,” he said. “It’s a complex issue.”

During several hours of public comment, county residents spoke up on both sides of the issue.

Beth Ogle, a longtime resident with children in the school system, said restoring the Confederate names is “a statement to the world that you do not value the dignity and respect of your minority students, faculty and staff.”

Kenny Wakeman, a lifelong county resident, said the Stonewall Jackson name “stood proudly for 60 years until 2020,” when he said the “actions of a rogue police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota,” prompted a move to change the name, a reference to the killing of Floyd that propelled nationwide protests and debate over racial injustice.

Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson was a Confederate general from Virginia who gained fame at the First Battle of Bull Run near Manassas in 1861 and died in 1863 after he was shot and had his arm amputated. Jackson’s name was also removed from another high school in Virginia’s Prince William County in 2020 that is now known as Unity Reed High School.

Ashby Lee is named for both Gen. Robert E. Lee, a Virginia native who commanded Confederate forces, and for Turner Ashby, a Confederate cavalry officer who was killed in battle in 1862 near Harrisonburg, Virginia. A high school near Harrisonburg is also named for Ashby.

The resolution approved by the school board states that private donations would be used to pay for the name changes.

Shenandoah County, a largely rural jurisdiction with a population of about 45,000, roughly 100 miles west of the nation’s capital, has long been politically conservative. In 2020, Republican Donald Trump won 70% of the presidential vote in Shenandoah, even as Biden won Virginia by 10 points.

In Virginia, local governments were banned from removing Confederate memorials and statues until the 2020 law lifted those restrictions. Statues of Confederate leaders, including Lee, Jackson and Confederate President Jefferson Davis were removed from Richmond’s famed Monument Avenue in 2020 and 2021 following protests and vandalizing of the statues.

Maizlish, from the Southern Poverty Law Center, said it’s unusual, though not unprecedented, that conservative jurisdictions like Shenandoah removed Confederate names in the first place.

She said that while there’s no evidence other jurisdictions have restored Confederate names or monuments, she is “always concerned about people who work to continue to promote Lost Cause propaganda.”

Barakat reported from Falls Church, Virginia.

CBS defends diversity hiring on ‘SEAL Team’ from ‘anti-white discrimination’ suit

CBS  filed a motion Thursday to throw out a lawsuit challenging its diversity hiring practices for writers on the show “ SEAL Team ,” arguing that it has a First Amendment right to hire who it wants.

Brian Beneker , the longtime script coordinator on the show, sued in February, arguing that he had been repeatedly passed over for writing jobs because he is a straight, white man.

Beneker has the  backing  of America First Legal, which is run by Stephen Miller, an adviser to former President Trump. The organization has sought to challenge diversity, equity and inclusion programs — which it terms “anti-white discrimination” — in the entertainment industry and elsewhere in corporate America.

In its  motion , CBS argued that it has a constitutional right to decide who will speak on its behalf, which supersedes anti-discrimination law.

“CBS’s alleged decision to prioritize diversity in its writers’ rooms is protected by the First Amendment because — as Beneker’s complaint recognizes — who writes for a creative production like ‘SEAL Team’ affects the stories that ‘SEAL Team’ tells,” wrote Molly Lens, a partner at O’Melveny & Myers. “So limiting CBS’s ability to select the writers of its choice — as Beneker seeks to do here — unconstitutionally impairs CBS’s ability to shape its message.”

In a similar case, Disney  argued  last month that it had a First Amendment right to fire “Mandalorian” actor Gina Carano after she made a post on social media that allegedly trivialized the Holocaust.

Disney and CBS each cite the same cases — Boy Scouts of America v. Dale and Hurley v. Irish-American Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Group of Boston, among others — for the proposition that the government cannot force a private entity to hire someone to express views it disagrees with.

Lens is also among the attorneys representing Disney in the Carano case.

In both cases, the defense cited a race discrimination lawsuit filed against ABC in 2011 over its failure to cast a Black man in “The Bachelor.” The judge threw out that case, citing the producers’ First Amendment right to make their own casting decisions.

In 2020, CBS  set a goal  of having Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) representation reach 40% in its writers rooms in 2021-22 and 50% in 2022-23.

A report by the Writers Guild of America West found that BIPOC writers made up 37% of overall TV series staffing in 2020, up from 13.6% a decade earlier.

Beneker’s  lawsuit  alleged that CBS’s goal amounted to an illegal hiring quota. The suit alleged that white, heterosexual men needed “extra qualifications” to be hired as staff writers, such as military experience or previous writing credits, compared to nonwhite, female or LGBTQ writers, who did not need such qualifications.

The suit alleged that the hiring policy violates the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The suit seeks an order barring CBS from implementing the policy, and requiring the show to hire Beneker as a producer.

CBS does not claim that the First Amendment makes it immune from anti-discrimination laws. But it does contend that the First Amendment prevails when hiring for positions — like writers or actors — that involve expressive conduct.

“The First Amendment rule of speaker’s autonomy gives CBS, and CBS alone, the right to decide what stories to tell in its television programming,” Lens wrote. “And it has the corresponding right to select which writers are best suited to tell those stories.”

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Mega Millions for Tuesday, May 21, 2024, is a $421 million jackpot. Check your numbers!

Did Mega Millions make you a millionaire overnight?

After  no one matched all five numbers plus the Mega Ball  in the Saturday, May 18 drawing, the grand prize climbed to $421 million for Tuesday, May 21.

The winning numbers for Mega Millions on Tuesday were 2-5-8-28-69 and the Mega Ball was 14. Megaplier was 2x.

Get daily updates on the Packers during the season.

Friday's numbers were 8-17-40-60-70 and the Mega Ball was 3. Megaplier was 2x.

Tickets start at $2 apiece. Below is what to know about lottery odds, how long you have to claim the cash option if you bought a ticket in Wisconsin, and what happens to unclaimed prize money, according to the Wisconsin Lottery.

How much was Mega Millions lottery jackpot for Tuesday, May 21?

An estimated $421 million with a cash option of $195.9 million.

When do Wisconsin Lottery tickets expire?

Prizes for Wisconsin Lottery must be claimed within 180 days (six months) from the date of the drawing. You can find a list of expired tickets, or those expiring soon, on the  Wisconsin Lottery website .

What happens to the unclaimed prize money?

According to the Wisconsin Lottery, the value of unclaimed prizes is credited to the Wisconsin Lottery property tax relief fund.

What are the odds of winning a Mega Millions lottery game?

Mega Millions drawings are held at 10 p.m. CDT Tuesday and Friday. According to the Wisconsin Lottery, players have a 1 in 302.6 million chance to match all six numbers. Prizes range from $2 to the grand prize jackpot, which varies.

Are the odds of winning Mega Millions the same if the jackpot is $1 billion?

Players have a 1 in 24 chance of winning a prize,  megamillions.com  says. Players have a 1 in 302.6 million chance to match all six numbers whether the jackpot is $20 million or $1 billion.

Can Wisconsin lottery winners remain anonymous?

No, according to the Wisconsin Lottery. Due to the state's open records laws, the lottery must, upon request, release the name and city of the winner. Other information about the winner is released only with the winner's consent.

How do you claim a lottery prize in Wisconsin?

That depends on how much you won.

For prizes up to $599:

• You can redeem your winnings at any Wisconsin Lottery retail.
• At the Wisconsin Lottery offices in Madison or Milwaukee. The Wisconsin Lottery recommends arriving by 3:30 p.m. to allow enough time to process your ticket.
• Tickets can also be mailed to:

P.O. Box 777

Madison, WI 53774

For prizes between $600 and $199,999:

• Prizes can be claimed in-person at the Wisconsin Lottery offices in Madison or Milwaukee. The Wisconsin Lottery recommends arriving by 3:30 p.m. for most prizes and 2 p.m. for prizes of $50,000 or more to allow enough time to process your ticket.
• Tickets can also be signed and mailed to:

For prizes exceeding $200,000:

• Prizes must be claimed in-person at the Wisconsin Lottery office in Madison. The Wisconsin Lottery recommends calling 608-261-4916 to schedule a time to process the ticket.

When did lotto jackpots hit $1 billion or more?

As of May 21, 2024, 11 lottery jackpots have reached or surpassed $1 billion. Only once has a jackpot surpassed $2 billion.

• 11 . $1.05 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 22, 2021: A single ticket won in Michigan.
• 10.  $1.08 billion, Powerball, July 19, 2023: A single ticket won in California.
• 9.  $1.13 billion, Mega Millions, March 26, 2024: A single ticket won in New Jersey.
• 8.  $1.33 billion, Powerball, April 6, 2024: A single ticket won in Oregon.
• 7.  $1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022: A single ticket won in Illinois.
• 6.  $1.35 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 13, 2023: A single ticket was purchased in Maine .
• 5.  $1.537 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018: A single ticket won in South Carolina.
• 4.  $1.58 billion, Mega Millions, Aug. 8, 2023: A single ticket won in Neptune Beach, Florida
• 3.  $1.586 billion, Powerball, Jan. 13, 2016: Three tickets won from California, Florida, Tennessee.
• 2 . $1.765 billion, Powerball, Oct. 11, 2023: A single ticket won from California.
• 1.  $2.04 billion, Powerball, Nov. 7, 2022: A single ticket won in California.

What are the Top 10 largest lottery jackpots in U.S. history?

The following Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots made the Top 10 biggest lottery jackpots in U.S. history, as of May 21, 2024.

• 10.  $1.08 billion Powerball drawing — July 19, 2023; California
• 9.  $1.1 billion Mega Millions drawing — March 26, 2024; New Jersey
• 8.  $1.33 billion Powerball drawing — April 6, 2024; Oregon
• 7.  $1.337 billion Mega Millions drawing — July 29, 2022; Illinois
• 6.  $1.35 billion Mega Millions drawing — Jan. 13, 2023; Maine
• 5.  $1.537 billion Mega Millions drawing — Oct. 23, 2018; South Carolina
• 4.  $1.58 billion Mega Millions drawing — Aug. 8, 2023; Florida
• 3.  $1.586 billion Powerball drawing — Jan. 13, 2016; California, Florida and Tennessee
• 2.  $1.765 billion Powerball drawing — Oct. 11, 2023; California
• 1.  $2.04 billion Powerball drawing — Nov. 7, 2022; California

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Mega Millions for Tuesday, May 21, 2024, is a $421 million jackpot. Check your numbers!