Anyone who thinks recommendations and essays don’t matter a ton should take a look at @exlibris97 's niece’s profile. 1240 SATs (1600-scale), 28 ACT composite (which is completely consistent with the SATs), low A- unweighted GPA, nonminority. But, apparently, a great story, that got told effectively by herself and her teachers.
I’m happy to see an admissions decision like that, and really interested to see it ED for a student who will likely qualify for substantial financial aid. A reminder that there are still people reading things in the admissions office, not simply plugging numbers into algorithms.