Admission Emphasis: GPA/SAT or ESSAY?

<p>i know, that GPA/SAT are the first things almost all schools look at.
but i want to know whether USC puts a lot of emphasis on the essays as well
do many get in with less than 3.7 and 2100 avg, because of their essays?</p>

<p>this question is so vague i admit, but please reply.</p>

<p>well obviously, this depends on how much lower than 3.7 we're talking... if it's 3.6 or close to it then your 2100 will somewhat offset this because that is a good score... also, essays are VERY important to USC especially to the CLAS, so make your essays shine.. i am in the opposite situation, as my GPA dominates but my test scores definitely lack</p>