<p>Does URichmond place a lot of emphasis on the essays? Are the likely to admit a candidate with low SAT scores but awesome essays?</p>
<p>Which other colleges give the essays a lot of weight in the admissions process?</p>
<p>Over 50 views and no reply??? Come on people help me out!!!</p>
<p>It is hard to know how much emphasis they place on the essay unless we work in admissions. My impression is that the entry is multi faceted and holistic and that they take many things under consideration. Probably more important than your “low SAT scores” are your high school grades and the rigor of the classes you have taken. It’s a big picture…so to answer you, I wouldn’t count on a fantastic essay to “forgive” weaknesses in other areas IF the essay is the only standout.</p>
<p>Test score , grades and course rigor will get you to the door or in the door , essays will only help if you are academically qualified.
Essays are a tie breaker at most competitive schools , a chance to show why you are worthy of an offer of admit over others that are in your numbers pool.</p>
<p>I can only pass on what we gleaned from attending a recent Information Session, conducted by a woman from the Admissions Office.</p>
<p>She said that she is not as interested in whether or not the applicant’s writing is witty, boring, humorous, etc., (and yes, she did use the word “boring”), as opposed to coherent and skillful. She wants to make sure the applicant is up to par, writing-wise, to achieve success in writing-intensive courses at the college level.</p>
<p>She also stressed that she would rather read about two or three points of interest or achievements of that particular student, as opposed to a smorgasbord of scattered interests. She explained this helps her differentiate the applicants and better ascertain how they are unique.</p>
<p>My impression was the essay was not a make or break, and the applicants didn’t have to stress over trying to come up with some original, offbeat topic … far better to focus on his/her strengths in writing and in two areas of particular achievement.</p>
<p>I felt Admissions had an overall excellent perspective on the essay, as opposed to some schools we visited where admissions presented a long laundry list of topics that would bore them.</p>