For college apps, it's more of a holistic review process so there's not one part that will make or break your application. In my opinion, your personal statement—outlining why you want to go to college, your intentions for study, and goals for the future—do help you stand out from the crowd. It's the portion of your app that you have the most control over (compared to GPA, test scores) and where you can share your point of view and individuality the most.
In your experience, what is the best way to be successful directly out of college?
What is the most important part of the application process?