<p>I have fair grades, a 30 on my ACT, a few jobs, and have been on my school's fishing team for 4 years. I'm also an AP scholar with distinction. If I were to apply to an extremely difficult school, my grades would not be nearly good enough. How much weight do they put in the essays? Are they just going to look at my transcript and reject me? </p>
<p>Every school will evaluate your transcript first and foremost. That will determine how selective your target schools should be. Many colleges do not ask for essays. What does your transcript look like? Did you take many honors/ap courses? What’s your GPA? </p>
<p>But your transcript is the most important component, period.</p>
<p>^ Agreed on the transcript. Google the Common Data Set for your school list and look at section C7. It will show what weight each element gets in the admission process.</p>
<p>Fishing team? Okay, that’s a new one. How does that work? You actually compete against other high schools?</p>
<p>Obvious joke - very silent cheerleaders. Or maybe they just shush the crowds.</p>
<p>Simplified but true, you really need to apply to schools where your grades and transcripts and scores are aligned with. Essays are just helping when choosing between already qualified people. It would be really rare if the essay overcame anything.</p>