How important is the college essay in applications?

The importance of the college essay depends quite a bit on the schools you’re applying to, but there are some general trends to keep in mind. For many selective or private colleges, the essay is a crucial part of your application—often right up there with your GPA, test scores, and extracurriculars. That’s because most applicants at competitive schools tend to have strong academics, so the essay is an opportunity to stand out, show your personality, and give context to your achievements. At these schools, a memorable essay can tip the scales, while a careless or off-putting one can hurt your chances.

When it comes to larger state universities or schools with more formulaic admissions processes, your transcript and standardized test scores usually carry much more weight. Some larger schools only use essays for borderline cases or special major programs that are more competitive. In those scenarios, the essay probably isn’t as make-or-break, but you still want to submit a thoughtful, clear, and error-free piece. A poor essay—one that’s riddled with mistakes or comes across as insincere—can definitely raise concerns, and in rare cases, could hurt your application, especially if your academic metrics are borderline.

To give an example, a student with a solid but not outstanding academic profile got into a selective liberal arts college mainly because her essay told a unique personal story about fixing up old bikes with her grandfather, and how it shaped her problem-solving skills. That level of detail helped admissions officers remember her in a sea of similar transcripts.

Unless the application instructions say the essay is optional, or you’re applying to a school that clearly states they do not consider essays, make sure yours is at least competent and genuine. You don’t need to write the next great American novel, but avoid clichés, be authentic, and use the essay to highlight something about yourself that isn’t clear elsewhere in your application.

Bottom line: At highly selective schools, essays are important. At larger, less competitive state schools, the essay is more about making sure you don’t raise any red flags. Either way, you want to put in the effort to make yours as strong as possible within your time and comfort limits. If writing isn’t your favorite strength, consider getting feedback or brainstorming with someone—sometimes another perspective can help you see what’s most interesting and valuable about your experiences.