I had a discussion with Jeff Huckel last week and found him very helpful. This might be due to my unique circumstances of applying 11 years after my last application. Basically he said that they take everything into consideration - GPA, GRE, and all the essays, as well as experience. Write your essays as if you are applying for a job and indicate why you should be the one they choose. This might seem rather general to you, but it really points out some things that most people don't think about. I found it helpful, but then, I'm used to deciphering cryptic statements. Figure out if your GPA meets the standards, then work outward. Broaden your experiences both in vet med, general animal, and others.