<p>Hi there. As a young, naive freshman, the college admissions process consisted of 3 points; GPA, SAT, and EC's/Recs. I was, of course, dead wrong. As a slightly less naive Junior I became aware of the Essay portion of admissions, that it's a vital part of one's portfolio, perhaps even equal to GPA in the mind of an adcom. </p>
<p>I began to regard the Essay as my saving grace, because while my GPA is low for many of the colleges I 'm applying to, I pride myself on my writing skills. I plan on really shining in my Essays, not only through my language and structure, but through the topics I choose to write about. They aren't the traditional community service essays everyone is told to avoid. No, in my essays I plan to focus on those things dear to my heart, which should allow me to write with passion and intensity. </p>
<p>Assuming I succeed, and my Essays end up blowing the adcoms away, will they, when paired with my solid EC's, Recs, and 2330/1550 SAT score, overshadow my 3.4 unweighted GPA which could prevent me from being accepted into schools such as William and Mary, Boston College, UVA, and Notre Dame?</p>
<p>I appreciate your honesty when answering, and the fact that you would take time to answer in the first place.</p>
<p>That would have to be one heck of an essay and it would have to include a compelling explanation regarding the difference between your ability (near perfect SAT’s) and your academic record (GPA). Having said that, if there IS a compelling explanation for how someone as smart as yourself, writing about it may get tip the scales in your favor. Hey, if HS was boring, but you have other academic interests that show you are an intellectually curious, hard-working person, explain that. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. If you will not need any financial aid, you might work that in to your essay as well. Good luck.</p>
<p>W&M has been known to reject 4.0’s and accept 3.2’s. You have a stellar SAT score, so coupled with good recs, devoted EC’s, and amazing essays, it is possible for you to get accepted there. What state are you from?</p>
<p>As for the others, I’m afraid I lack the knowledge to provide any insight. Sorry.</p>
<p>But I feel the need to ask: what was your course rigor?</p>
<p>I’ve taken the highest level classes available throughout HS except in Spanish and Math, my worst subjects. I’m from NJ and my school is nationally ranked and respected by many colleges, although that may just be administration propoganda =P</p>
<p>Just what the heck do you want to ask? Your title and content do not match.</p>
<p>To answer the title, yes, essay make or break your application. Case closed.</p>
<p>As for the content, I just think it a stupid question. With self-proclaimed “…solid EC’s, recs, and 2300…” and “essays…blowing the adcoms away” (again, self-proclaimed wishful thinking), I really do not see what more the adcoms would want from you as an applicant.</p>
<p>I strongly disagree with (the first part of) bessie’s advice. Standarized test scores and recs speak for your academic ability well enough. No need to waste an essay writing about GPA.</p>
<p>If you had read the entire question closely you would have noticed my low gpa which was why I’m asking about the importance of the essay in the first place. High importance placed on an essay could make up for a low gpa. Furthermore, nothing is wishful thinking aside from the essays I have yet to write.</p>
<p>And Rixs has mentioned people with a 3.2 GPA has been accepted, surely you read that part too? Clearly, GPA is not the deciding factor, where as an essay “can make or break your application.” Surely that is enough to stress the importance of essays.</p>
<p>I just read in some college essay writing book that the essay wont hurt you if your already going to get in, but if your a student thats “on the edge” then the essay can make or break you.
as for you, u seem pretty solid. why are u so worried again? ple like me with 91 average should worry thank you very much. lol
good luck!! youll be finee!</p>
