WASHINGTON — The University of Virginia is ranked among the top 25 best colleges in the nation, and high school students jockey furiously to get in. Three student applications are rejected for each one that is accepted.

But the children of major donors may be getting special attention when applying to Mr. Jefferson’s university.

The Washington Post reports that the school’s fundraising office — the Advancement Office — has maintained a “watch list” of VIP applicants.

The Post says an examination of a decade’s worth of records from the Advancement Office shows that applicants in danger of rejection were flagged as the children of donors. Notations on the documents made by the office seek special consideration for some applicants.

University of Virginia denies that it’s Advancement Office has any influence in the admissions process.  The Post says the records clearly show what is an open secret in higher education — money talks.