<p>If an applicant has stellar essays but have test scores in the lower range (29ish ACT), how will that affect the decision? Could that be the deciding factor between acceptance and rejection?</p>
<p>Yes, if your admission decision is right on the line between accept and reject, the essays can be a deciding factor. Otherwise, they are just extra support for your academic record that aren’t extremely important unless they prove you incompetent or something.</p>
<p>UVA stresses essays, among other major factors, such as difficulty of your high school schedule.</p>