How important is essay?

<p>OK, I have a really good essay. Everyone that's graded it has told me that it's really great and I've had them score it. Average score was about 90-100 out of 100. The ones that gave me anything less than 100 said it was due to grammatical errors that were fixed.</p>

<p>Now given that I have a 3.6 GPA (unweighted, top 20% unweighted class rank) and average test scores (haven't received my ACT scores yet, hopefully they're good!), what are my chances at Ivy League schools?</p>

<p>If my school weighted GPA, I would be in the top 5%. I know I'm in the top 5% of my class in terms of course rigor. Counselor recommendation is EXCELLENT and he explains that my GPA does not accurately reflect my intelligence. I have another EXCELLENT teacher rec that goes over my leadership abilities. I should have one last pretty good (although not excellent, but definitely pretty good) teacher rec to go with it.</p>

<p>Also, I have Ivy League level EC's and they are very unique and ALL include leadership positions (and ALL include top leadership positions such as president/equivalent). I am NOT a URM though.</p>

<p>So basically, OK-ish GPA (I wish we weighted...), rigorous courses, average test scores, Ivy League level/unique EC's, great essay, great recs. Should I even be thinking about Ivy League or am I aiming too high? I'm just wondering because I hear a lot of stories about whites and ORMs with low test scores, low grades but get into Ivies.</p>

<p>Also, can someone give me the Ivy definition of "overcoming adversity?" I talk about overcoming adversity in my essay, but it's not like huge adversity where I lived out in the streets and became a huge success or anything.</p>

<p><em>bump</em> Anyone?</p>

<p>"Counselor recommendation is EXCELLENT and he explains that my GPA does not accurately reflect my intelligence."</p>

<p>So, does this mean that you are a really smart kid but you were lazy, didn't get as high grades as you could have, and therefore have a lower GPA? This is how colleges may perceive this.</p>

<p>With only an average GPA and average test scores, it would be a Huge Reach for any of the Ivy League Schools (even if you have good extracurriculars). But then again, wait until you get the official scores back (hopefully they are high) then we can give you a more certain response! : )</p>

<p>Keep us posted.</p>