But there are other important factors. A 4.0's not always the ticket.
Grades are important, but so is level of course difficulty.
Even if your grades are lower in a more difficult course, you'll probably be better off. Numbers, numbers and numbers. Your college now knows whether you're a 2.3 or a 4.0, a 1200 or a 1594, a 19 or a 35. They know the number of activities you're involved in, the number of English classes you took, and the names of your favorite teachers. Particularly for more-selective colleges, the essay is an important way for colleges to distinguish between many qualified candidates.