What about a free-response question? I'm sure that will weed out some of the less intelligent/skilled in rhetoric. This, along with the common application, I believe, along with small things like answering the questions correctly, will give a full view of the person that we are judging.
Also, what about the idea of having a contacts thread (see previous page)? That way, no one has to go around asking for information, such as skype, PS3 or Xbox usernames, blogs, deviantART, possibly age, etc. I'd have the task of setting it up, so as long as I have the information via PM, or posted on the forums, I'll have it completed in no time.