<p>How important is the application essay in comparison to test scores and extra curricular activities?</p>
<p>I mean there are so many top-notch people with amazing scores and books full of extra curricular activities that lose their spot in their dream colleges to those with near miss test scores and normal extra curricular activities.I know that there are other factors as well such as ethnic background, alumni, recommendations, and such. </p>
<p>But back to the ultimate question: How important is the application essay?
Do you guys know anyone that swayed decisions because they have an amazing essay??</p>
<p>Quite honestly my essays, teacher recs and interview were the main reasons I got into Harvard. So yes, my essay is what made my college decision. Without its quality, there is no way I would have gotten in.</p>
<p>I agree with hotchie. Essays are a chance for those reviewing applications to see beyond just a bunch of academic statistics. It’s important for you to stand out because there are many people applying with similar or even better stats, but through your essays, teacher recs, interview, etc. they may see something in you that they like better. I was invited to interview for a scholarship that a boy in my class (with the same ACT, but a higher GPA and a place in the top ten) didn’t get. I believe my essay and teacher recs helped a lot with that.</p>
<p>Especially when adcoms get down to the final cuts, just about everyone has similar GPAs, SATs, etc. So, how are they going to decide? The essay. Harvard (used here as a generic name for any selective school) doesn’t just want someone who will just go through their college, take all the required classes, and graduate. Harvard wants a student who will utilize the resources around them and be proactive in pursuing their passion by solving problems in the real world and giving back to the school through their intellectual vitality by taking leadership opportunities, giving back to the world around them, and really making a change. A student who says in his/her essay, “I love math,” versus another student who says, “I love math, and I’ve utilized my passion in math to help a small business develop a fiscal plan over the next year” is much more compelling, because “Harvard” sees that you are taking initiative and a leadership role, which will carry on in your life as a student at “Harvard”. You will be a source of inspiration and leadership, which “Harvard” really does love to see.</p>