<p>Ok, so this is what I'm gathering from the bonfire that is this thread:</p>
<p>1) Essays are t3h 1mp0rt4ntz0rs because they are the only window that adcoms have into your soul; therefore, they are extremely important in admissions decisions.
2) Passionate newbie > Tired old veterans at sex...eeding when it comes to college admissions.
3) Times have changed; although the OP's post was clearly a strong application that would have definitely put him in the running today, the competition is simply fiercer than in years past and thus the experiment may be slightly skewed.
4) People should not make complete decisions based on mere hard statistics; the entire package must be ascertained for a complete application review and conclusion; this thread is, for the most part, moot.
5) Life was better in 2002.</p>