let me add some insight. I can't speak for BYU, their process, or the decision outcomes. I can, however, give you a sense for the landscape.

The first thing that stands out to me is Essay Topic #4.

For years colleges wanted students to show "demonstrated interest". Did the kid visit our campus? Did he attend an information session? Did he get out of class when we visited his high school? How has he responded to our messaging campaign? Has he proven he is interested?

Essay Prompt #4 is centered on what is big in college admissions now: demonstrated insight. For me, this is the most important thing that the applicant will create as part of the application.

Here is a short post explaining the difference between "demonstrated interest" and "demonstrated insight": https://www.cougarboard.com/board/message.html?id=18809031

The other red flag in this case is certainly the GPA. Nothing predicts success in college better than the measure that accounts for showing up, prepared, willing to participate, and performing successfully within the demands of a course. In other words, the grades earned in high school. A single 'C' anywhere at anytime took a student out of admission consideration for my batch of students this past week (just sent out decisions on Tuesday). Depending on the course and when it occurred might keep the student in waitlist consideration, but no chance at being offered admission right away.

Standardized tests (SAT or ACT) are not the behemoths they used to be. Colleges and universities are going test-optional in their admissions process. Here is a document that lists the nationally ranked colleges and universities that are de-emphasizing the standardized tests in their admission policies: http://www.fairtest.org/sites/default/files/Optional-Schools-in-U.S.News-Top-Tiers.pdf

I get it. I deal with weeping parents every year. I deal with waitlisted students trying anything to get over the hump. It's stressful, and it can be highly disappointing. The move to a new director and new review protocol is only adding to the angst this year because what happened before has been thrown out the window. Next year, the year after, and the year after--things will normalize and people will know what BYU expects. Unfortunately, for atlcougar and his son, timing was not on their side.