<p>For a strong applicant to top schools, how much does the essay weigh? Will a mediocre essay keep you out? what do you think?</p>
<p>It really depends on the school. At UChicago, for instance, the essay trumps almost every other aspect of your application. Other schools might not value it as much.</p>
<p>I think as a general rule, if you think your essay's mediocre, then work on making it better. 'Cause colleges get so many essays that what may seem not-so-bad to us could seem terrible to them.</p>
<p>Yes, I think that when it comes to top colleges, a boring, mediocre essay could ruin your chances. They get thousands of outstanding applicants, so why take someone with a mediocre essay when the admissions officers can take someone who wrote something memorable?</p>
<p>The exception may be CalTech, which seems to be very numbers-driven.</p>
<p>If you are serious about top colleges, put in the extra time to produce the best essay that you're capable of.</p>