Besides the essay, what did you think stood out, or made you unique in your college apps? Was it being a musical prodigy, the hardest courses, an off-scale GPA, volunteer services, trips abroad, more than a bilingual?
Actually, for me, I think it was my essays that made my application journey so successful. So far I have been accepted to six colleges and waitlisted at two. My grades were good, my SAT scores decent, well-rounded ECs, but I truly believe that my unwavering commitment to making my essays sound like me, and telling the stories I wanted to tell (rather than just writing what parents/counselors told me to) helped me get into so many colleges.
I think my personality also played a role (linked to the essays). I’m a person who can find the good in anything, so in “why” essays I was able to convey genuine enthusiasm for each school, thus putting forward a convincing case of why I should be admitted.
Interesting thread 
I think, in the case for UCSD, I sent in a writing portfolio for the French Literature major, which was my alternate major. (Main is biochemistry). They allow a 1000 word essay for any Literature major, but I don’t know if they expected to get one 100% in French! Also I thought the theme of the essay was college level, or so my French teacher/peer editor said. I wrote a philosophical analysis of Le Petit Prince, connecting it to existentialism (since at that time I also just had read Huis Clos by Sartre). Plus, one of my essays highlighted my passion for French, so I just went to prove that I really would thrive with a French Lit major I think that really pushed my application over the edge since my twin sister with better stats and scores and what not didn’t get Regents, but I did!
I think being asian and having no interest in being a doctor had some impact on my application
Essays for sure! I consider myself a fairly articulate writer, and I think my common app essay was one of the best “answer this funny little prompt” essays I’ve written. I want to major in political science, and I wrote about my experience volunteering on a presidential campaign, using the common app “what did you learn from failure” prompt. I also chose my topic with my top choice school (U of San Diego) in mind. They look for “changemakers” - students who they think are going to be really engaged and motivated to make the world better.
I took 2 years off after high school, because I did 2 years of DE at a community college and didn’t like the environment/wasn’t sure I would even go to finish my undergrad. I wrote concise (but meaningful!) summaries of why I’m motivated to go back to school and what I did during my time off, and I think that really helped me. I wanted to be honest about why I did what I did, but I was very aware of the possibility that I would come across as disinterested or skeptical of higher education.
I got in, so I must have done something right!