Yes, and essays are becoming increasingly important in the admissions process. Carolina requires a long one and a short one according to their prompts, and a personal statement on anything you want it to be.

I was looking at average scores for admissions last semester and I'm above and beyond all of them. So I'm good in that area, hopefully my GPA and SAT will compensate for the little/no EC activities I have(solely Science Club).

Also, since I've passed AP Exams for Eng and History(and will most assuredly pass AP Gov, EngIV, and Calculus next May), I can place out of certain Freshman and Sophmore classes.