How important are essays in private school admissions decisions?

Essays matter. A lot. When schools are flooded with qualified applicants who all look great on paper, essays help admissions teams figure out who each student really is. They want more than grades and teacher praise—they want someone who’s curious, reflective, and ready to contribute. 

The essay is your child’s chance to speak directly to the people making decisions. It’s where personality shows up, where values come through, and where a spark of originality can outshine a perfect GPA. A bland or sloppy essay can hurt an otherwise strong application. But a thoughtful, well-crafted one? That can be the thing that tips the scale. So yes, put energy here. It’s not just fluff. It’s strategy.

    DISCLAIMER

    Cardinal Education is an independent educational consulting company. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by any private school, including those mentioned on this website. All school names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are used here for descriptive purposes only.

    COPYRIGHT © | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | CARDINAL EDUCATION