How much do recs really matter?

Applying to College
1

<p>Specifically referring to top tier schools, HYPS, etc...</p>

<p>How heavily do you think recs are weighted in the admissions process? Specifically in relation to things like essays and ECs?</p>

<p>I'm asking this because my recs are absolutely fantastic, while I'm really struggling with my essays and my ECs are not quite stellar (though not horrible). Can recs make up for these things? Are any of these categories weighted particularly heavier than others?</p>

<p>Just wondering, honestly, obviously there's not much I can do about it now, so don't just tell me recs are really important if they're not haha. I just wanna know</p>

2

<p>They won’t make up for a poor academic record, but they could tip the balance for a candidate on the bubble. They could encourage a school to take a chance on a student, and they could torpedo a strong candidate if they reveal a horrible character flaw (e.g. he stole my final and sold the answers but his rich father prevented any disciplinary action.)</p>

<p>In short, they’re one piece of the puzzle that will get you in. I wouldn’t blow them off as unimportant, even if they aren’t in your particular case, because you don’t know what will tip the balance for the adcom.</p>