Real Value of Essays

[thumper1]

You might want to read this thread.

Essays...how important are they? Just tie-breakers?

I would think most AO’s have their decision made up after reviewing the “meat” of the application, the GPA, class rigor, SAT/ACT, awards, and EC’s. Are the personal statement and supplemental essays going to put a “no” in the “yes” pile or a “yes” in the “no” pile - or are they just tie-breakers when the AO is on the fence?