<p>I know that we as applicants--who don't actually get to see what Columbia's admissions counselors do--cannot possibly be infallibly precise in our estimates, but how heavily do you guys think Columbia weighs the extended essay?</p>
<p>more heavily than some of its peer schools. in my experience, Columbia is more willing to overlook certain numbers (relative to peer schools) if there is a compelling story that paints a clear picture of a very passionately motivated applicant. Most peer schools of course don't have to compromise very much in that regard, but Columbia probably does weight the essay more heavily than some because it speaks so clearly to the way you think (or at least, it should).</p>
<p>Denzera's post is good, but I'll say it a different way. It's not really that the essay is important on its own and "worth a lot." The essay is very important because Columbia really looks at who you are, thru your essays, recs, activities and everything else.</p>