Do College Admissions Essays really matter?

[ohioguy218]

Ok ... So I've been writing admissions essays for the past few weeks and I'm starting to stress out. My question is this: Do they really even matter???

I have a 4.0 gpa, a 35 ACT, and a load of ECs ... but my essays aren't really imaginative or great ... just solid and well-written

So, I know some of you guys go to pretty selective colleges ... how were your essays? Great, average, poor?

I'm especially interested in Duke and Northwestern ... Do I have to write great essays ... or am I fine with ordinary, boring ones?