Chance me for Rutgers SAS?

Hello, I’m wondering about my chances into Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences. Everyone says I’m fine, but I’m a little paranoid! I’m planning on going into communications.
GPA: 3.06/4.0 (4.4 weighted) (I went from a 3.4 freshman year to a 2.8 in soph and a 2.9 in junior. Will this down curve worry them?)
SAT: 1880 (620 R 590 M 670 WR)
In-state
Mostly AP/honors classes except math. Senior year GPA should raise my 3.0.
Good leadership and amount of ECs/volunteering
Should I try very hard on the essay? I heard they don’t care, but if I’m put into the waitlisted pile I hope my essay will admit me. Thanks!

You should definitely try on the essay since you’re worrying about your grades for Rutgers. If there was a specific reason why your grades were on the decline, tell them that too. You should be fine. I had friends with 1400s on the SAT and sub 3.0 GPA get in Rutgers SAS.

How would I tell them the downward trend? I don’t think I have a very good reason for it; I slacked and went through a bit of a depression. But does it matter to them? Or is it just the 3.06 I have right now? Thank you for your help!

I was thinking more on the line of if there was family struggle and problems that affected your academics. But, since you did slack, I wouldn’t explain the downward trend.