<p>I was wondering, do UC essays play a huge factor? Compared to GPA, SAT, ECs and whatnot.</p>
<p>My friend has stellar stats and is a wonderful person, but he has been worrying because he thinks his UC essays are negative and condescending. I read his essays, and they start off somewhat condescending and haughty, but they seem okay towards the end. He wrote his essays during a challenging time in his life so I understand why his essays are the way they are. </p>
<p>I've been trying to console him, but I don't know what to say. He applied to privates too, but he says he probably won't be able to go due to financial issues, so he's really regretting that he ranted in his essay. He's worried that he screwed up his chances for his top 3 public schools (UCB, UCLA, UCSD). What do you think?</p>
<p>Well, it is true that it is never good to rant in your essays but maybe some colleges will only focus on his grades. If he has stellar stats, that already shows he was focused on school and was a hardworker. To him, what may seem like ranting may not seem the same way to others. It’s normal to always question your essays after they have been sent in but tell him not to kill himself over this. There’s nothing really he can do about it now since everything is sent in so just tell him to relax. IF he does get rejected, he can always appeal and I believe you can write an essay as well. He still will have a chance to redeem himself. Like you said, he wrote his essays while he was going through a tough time and I honestly feel that people write during those times the best. We tend not to hold back in our writing and hopefully that is what your friend has done because not holding back is truly the key to those essays. You need to really open yourself and show colleges who you are. But as of right now, there is nothing really anyone can say or do except hope for the best!</p>