First of all: you shouldn't listen to me, as I applied 2 times for a photography class at uni and failed miserably (didn't even get into the 2nd round)
With that in mind, here's what I have to say:
What I miss in your portfolio is a theme, or something like that.
I think when you decide on a theme it should be one that is easily "visible".
I'm sure all those photographs tie into each other somehow, but the viewer (or I) cannot get what it is.
Some general thoughts:
Partial desaturation (like on Jay's hand) can look really out of place.
Some need more separation of the tones (like the leaf on dock or "time to think") to maximise impact.
Maybe it's my tired eyes, but most of them look a bit (say half stop or more?) underexposed.
The "fall colors" are just a brown soup to me, and only after a while it starts to get coloury.
I think "forgotten ruins" has potential. it gives a feeling of sizes and such.
Some have obviously nothing going on, like "always moving". I mean it's what? nothing interesting atop and then some leaves? and WB not to my liking.
The people looking at the portfolios have probably hundreds infront of them. Therefore they can only spend minimum time on each one.
Sooo I guess it's important that your photos get right into their eyes in the first 1 or so second.
Again, keep in mind I failed with my application 2 times. ...