<p>Although many Ivy League students may have high ACT/SAT/AP scores and 4.00 U GPA, this does not mean that there is any casual relation. Duh.
This is merely a requirement, in many cases. E.g., a math genius will have no problem pulling off a perfect math score, but it's their extracurricular math activities--I wouldn't go so low as to suggest passion will get anywhere--that gets them that spot at that college. Causation!=Correlation</p>
<p>I would think that decent writing skills would be of infinite value to any college applicant, as essentially, the application <em>should</em> be just that, a persuasive case for admission.</p>