<p>If I were to apply to a reach school, how far would really good essays take me? As in, how much will an excellent essay boost my resume?</p>
<p>You can’t really offset a weak application even with a great essay – they just don’t want to admit students that they don’t think can do the work, even if you write a shining essay. It isn’t good for them or for you if they do. It can help a little bit – but honestly, I have very rarely read a “near-flawless” college essay. Lots of students who think they have a great essay really don’t. Go ahead and apply, but don’t have any illusions about an essay overcoming test scores in the bottom half of the class, etc.</p>
<p>Well… I’m salutatorian of my class, so it’s not like I’m trying to hide bad academics. However, I would love to go to an Ivy, and I do realize that my chances of getting in are still in the upper teens (according to Parchment). </p>
<p>The more selective the college, the more weight is put on the essay. I recently posted this on another thread, but it would also apply to student’s who are salutatorians.
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<p>For most colleges, the first and foremost question is “Can you handle the workload?” If your objective stats support your aptitude, then your essay can make or break your application. Otherwise, a good essay won’t overcome bad stats.</p>