How much does the essay matter?

I’m kind of just freaking out. Basically, I don’t have the best statistics, and the odds are pretty much not in my favor. I have a maybe 3.2/3.3 unweighted GPA from freshman to junior year, for which the trend is good, (2.8/2.6/3.4/3.4/4.0/4.33) and a 31 ACT, 32 superscored.

I have really good essays(I’m really good at writing, mediocre at everything else) and my main extracurriculars are:
tutoring special ed kids(unconventional method of teaching, through music)
vocal/piano teacher to kids ages 5-11
created a stand up comedy program for the elderly
edited/published my journal to an anti-human trafficking website
varsity track and field for 4 years

I have extenuating circumstances; I was stalked and sexually harassed for two years, which I mentioned in additional comments, but I’m afraid even with this I won’t get into many schools.

My intended major is linguistics, and top choice is UW Seattle and UCSB. I really want to go to UW Seattle but I don’t think I would get in because even though my essay is good, I am underqualified.

Perhaps someone could tell me how much it matters? I don’t know if it’ll actually help me or not because my stats warrant a rejection. I’ve been accepted to UIUC and deferred from Northeastern if it counts for anything to help you get an idea of the caliber of my application. I know it’ll be okay if I’m rejected, but I just want to know if I’m an auto-reject and if the essays would even matter after looking at my GPA and test scores.

Look up each school’s Common Data Set and check Section C7; it tells how important essay is.

It matters A LOT. Your essay is the only way an admission officer can differentiate you from the thousands of other sets of data he/she reads a day. Make it memorable and allow them insight into who you really are. Why should they pick you over someone else with the exact same stats as you? Give them a reason. Your essay is your reason, and don’t underestimate it. Good luck.

It might matter more at a school with a smaller freshman class

For UCSB, GPA and test scores are about 50% of the application review and EC’s/essays are the other 50% of the application review. UC’s however are very GPA focused.

What is your UC GPA?

@Gumbymom 3.82

dont matter bro