Great college essays are equal opportunity employers. They don’t discriminate on the basis of grades and test scores. The “C” student has the same opportunity to write great essays as the kid who’s had straight “A’s” since birth does. Everybody has a story to tell. You just have to find yours and tell it in an engaging way.
By the time you get ready to apply to college, most of your high school career will be in place. You’re not going to substantially raise your cumulative GPA or find a way to replenish fossil fuels. So the essays might be the one area where you can make a substantial difference in the quality of your application. Don’t miss the opportunity by writing something safe and unrevealing. Start early, find a story you care about, and write it in an engaging way.