<p>Just wondering, because while I have good standardized test scores, my GPA is mediocre. Since I consider myself a pretty good writer with an interesting story to tell, I think my essay will be pretty good (you never know though). Will a good essay really help with increasing the chances of getting accepted at Stern? How much does the essay count overall?</p>
<p>I’m not going to lie, I spent the day the app was due writing the essays and I got in. This is not recommended of course haha.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, Stern is one of the more “unforgiving” schools at NYU. By this, I mean Stern seems to have the bar set rather high for most students based on standardized scores and GPA. However, in a recent thread on this first page, someone mentioned having a not so strong GPA for Stern and getting admitted. So, yes, it is worth it for you to do a “smashing” job highlighting the strengths in other areas. And the essay is where you stand out as an individual, so it may turn the tide in your case. Who knows but definitely worth your trying, even as you work your best to bring up your grades with whatever time you have left to do so (usually through senior year midterm grades for RD applicants and quarter grades for ED students). GLTY!</p>
<p>@magic123 - Would you mind telling me your GPA/SAT/ECs? Thanks!</p>
<p>@evolving - Thanks for the reply. I’m planning on working really hard on my essay to make myself stand out as much as possible.</p>
<p>My NYU supplement didn’t stand out at all, generic stuff like “NYU offers me a global perspective” and “I would bring this guy back because he would have interesting stuff to say about modern civilization.” My Common App essay, I guess, was about something few other people would have written about (birding). Feel free to check out my credentials on the RD stats thread.</p>
<p>I have ~3.95 unweighted, 2250 SAT, decent EC’s (regional, club level). I do feel like my common app essay was good, but again, I don’t recommend what I did at all.</p>
<p>I think my essays were the tipping point for my application, in the sense that, my grades were okay (gpa sub-par) but decent standardized score, and everything else was decent. I felt as though my app was at the median level of a Stern applicant, and my essays was the added bonus that made the adcoms choose me. So write a well written essay because it could possibly make or break your application.</p>