<p>Just wondering. Can amazing essays/recs and/or standardized test scores make up for a less than satisfactory GPA (bad like 3.3-3.6 but not horrible like <3.3) for top schools?</p>
<p>For top schools, essays/ECs are often the deciding factor. However, this usually only happens once an applicant passes the “extremely qualified” academic threshold. Amazing essays/recs/scores cannot “make up” for your GPA, but if you have something unique to offer and you show it through your writing, you might have a great shot.</p>