<p>You always hear that writing good essays can make all the difference in the world, even if the person has pretty sub-normal stats. This is especially prevalent in HYPMS and other top schools. So how low can your scores be if you write an incredibly inspiring essay that shows that you are an absolutely amazingly passionate person? Let's just say THEORETICALLY that this essay WAS written by you, and they know it, and it's the BEST that an essay can be.</p>
<p>And sorry the title should say something along the lines of "how low can scores be if supplemented by an outstanding essay?" yeah the title made sense when i was writing it....somehow</p>
<p>Don’t think in these terms. It’s not just SAT scores and essay; extracurriculars, grades, course level, recommendations all factor in. You can’t really answer your question, because it’s not that simple. You can’t just say “if you got an 1800 and write an outstanding essay, it’s the same as moving your sat score up 300 points.” You can’t say that. </p>
<p>If you are actually an amazingly passionate person (trust me, the admissions officers KNOW what is fake and what isn’t), you’ll probably get in regardless of SAT scores. If you’re THAT impressive.</p>
<p>Realize that every applicant’s essay is going to be one of the best they’ve ever written. Consequently, even an essay that is outstanding in your opinion might be quite average relative to all the other essays submitted.</p>
<p>I disagree w/dchow:
“If you are actually an amazingly passionate person (trust me, the admissions officers KNOW what is fake and what isn’t), you’ll probably get in regardless of SAT scores. If you’re THAT impressive.”</p>
<p>While HYPSMC want these types of people, mediocre academic performance and academic potential will SINK these. Why? Because there are many amazingly passionate people who have both.</p>
<p>And unless you’re on the “development admit” list or a highly sought after athletic recruit, no one can be assumed to “probably get in”. I think dchow’s assessment to be too optimistic and not based on what the schools themselves publish and disseminate.</p>
<p>That theoretical possibility has a very very very tiny chance of happening and most probably has never happened and never will. An essay that is the “best” an essay can be and they know for sure that it’s yours?</p>
<p>Applicants tend to overestimate their essays. On most of the chances threads everyone just says “good essays” or “outstanding essays”… yet admissions officers who’ve released tell all books say that 90% of essays are just plain bad. I’d say don’t <em>rely</em> on your essay to be a big factor unless you’re a national prize winning essayist or something like that.</p>
<p>Most essays won’t help you and won’t hurt you.</p>