Exactly, how important are college essays?

<p>I'm your average joe here. 3.4 gpa unweighted, decent SAT scores, and good Ecs. Now, how important are the college essays? Can it really make a difference for someone? I'm applying to schools like University of Washington, Boston U, Syracuse, and more and i was wondering since my gpa is on every school's lower end, would a great essay actually have them consider me?</p>

<p>Besides an interview, the essay is your only opportunity to show the adcoms the person behind the stats. It’s where you distinguish yourself from the thousands of other applicants just like yourself stat-wise, so I’d say the essays are incredibly important.</p>

<p>If they are very well written and unique, they can make you stand out from all the other applicants and give adcoms a reason to admit you despite mediocre stats. There have been people from my school who have gotten in Stanford with little more than incredibly well thought out essays.</p>

<p>^Agreed. If you’re on the fence with lets say good stats but poor EC’s or good EC’s with poor stats, the essays will decide which way the wind blows for you.</p>