<p>impet, do you happen to know the names of the companies they hired? As for the essay thing, yes an essay can make or break you. The important thing is to catch the heart of the admissions officer so that they will fight to bring you into the school (even if you do have a 3.4 gpa and applying to an ivy, it still can be done). My cousin is proof of that. Of course I’m talking about Cornell and Dartmouth which are very good schools. They look more at the other things over your grades. I’m praying that would be the situation with me and Cornell.</p>