<p>I have read a lot about strong essays helping out an application with slightly lower grades but was just wondering if that also worked in reverse? I'm an international student with decent grades but I don't think my writing was particularly strong, can that greatly bring down an application? I'd be really grateful if someone could give any insight into this. Thanks!</p>
<p>Are you planning to apply to a very selective college? If so here’s what the director of admissions at Princeton has to say:</p>
<p>[Part</a> 1: Answers From Princeton’s Dean of Admission - NYTimes.com](<a href=“http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/24/guidance-office-princeton-answers-1/]Part”>Part 1: Answers From Princeton's Dean of Admission - The New York Times)</p>
<p>In short it matters.</p>
<p>Yeah a couple of fairly selective LACs. Thanks for the help, thats really useful.</p>