Hi, I’m a junior and my English teacher and others have told me that my essay on overcoming adversity and learning from it is really good. What colleges will admit someone who has a good essay story like this? I realize that they won’t accept someone with less than stellar stats, but if my stats are within the range for them, what top schools like good essays? Thanks!!!
In section C7 of each school’s Common Data Set file, there is a row indicating the importance of the application essay as a basis for admission. Many selective colleges mark it “very important” or “important”. Other than this vague indicator, there probably isn’t any basis to compare the relative importance it plays in each school’s decision.
In my opinion, you should focus on other factors in choosing colleges.
For each school that requires an essay(s), complete every one as if the college considers it “very important”.
UChicago
If you are looking at top tier colleges, everything is important.