Coauthorship

[Hopeful23]

How do admissions committees view coauthorships with faculty?

Is it a silver bullet? Is it disregarded if you aren't the first author? How much does it depend on who you write it with?

I know it can't be used for the writing sample (though I could see it opening the door for independent work that is similar in topic or something), but for those that had one when applying, how much would you say it helped? 

[Determinedandnervous]

If you're referring to publications, the fact that you have one, co-authored or not, will help you significantly. Almost nobody has publications when applying to grad school.