<p>essay is important, but most people that make up the bottom parts of the GPA are
- athletes (that will be on an intercollegiate team here)
- you have some sort of national or international award/recognition (sports, arts, etc.)
- you have some super extreme, interesting life experience (you lost your parents during the war, and you are applying as international applicant from Iraq or something… you know, something exotic)</p>
<p>If your gpa is 3.70 with just average high school extracurriculars (esp if they are just junior year and beyond) coupled with 1 on AP, I’m gonna have to say no essay will cover for the gpa</p>