<p>Does it hurt not to write the additional essay? It says that "Occasionally," applicants feel the need to write more and I've heard some people suggest that you shouldn't write one unless it's to explain special circumstances.</p>
<p>From what I’ve heard, this is just an excuse to include more information to distinguish yourself from the crowd. They don’t have any of the stanford-like questions on their app that force people to be creative. This is the only chance on the entire application you’ll get to write anything additional, I definitely think you should take advantage of it somehow</p>
<p>Farail:
So you mean this essay should be as creative as possible. I mean not only tell the Ad com who I am but also show my creativeness? Could you give me an example</p>
<p>I was also wondering about the additional essay because I was contemplating sending in an essay I wrote about my experience as a bagger at a grocery store. I write about all the answers people give to “Paper or Plastic?” and then I give a profile of a customer. It’s more or less a creative and funny essay that gives a window into the kind of personality I have. I also wrote a very “edgy” commonapp essay so I don’t know if I should send in this additional essay that doesn’t add to stuff about my achievements.</p>
<p>bump someone give another opinion?</p>
<p>^ I really like the sound of your essay poli. I too have written a quirky and funny (atleast I hope so) essay but I’m worried that I should be using that space to elaborate on some EC to give it some depth. But then that essay comes off as boring and predictable/ normal and run of the mill. 
In other words, I’m in the same boat as you.</p>
<p>Yeah, I just kinda feel like that I may as well take a risk because if Harvard hates my essays, they would’ve rejected me anyway. I thought taking a risk could really set me apart and they could say “We do need some kids for the Harvard Lampoon.” Plus, who wants to read some boring essay about some hardship that changed you or some extracurricular. They’ve heard those thousands of times.</p>
<p>Alright I’m determined to write my supplement essay today</p>
<p>Let’s make a pact jgraider. 
I’ve been ‘determined’ to do it ‘this day’ every day.</p>
<p>Okay, so I hereby make a pact on the prestigious HARVARD forum to do its supp essay today.
Maybe this’ll persuade me to do it. I did write it out in public with sacred typed letters only found on the Harvard forum.</p>
<p>Yeah I’ve been putting it off for so long. It’s becoming a bit of a problem</p>
<p>Do people ever send it more than one supplemental essay? On the form, there’s no word or page limit.</p>
<p>I just used my Yale 500-word supplement since I really liked it.</p>
<p>Second question: once you submit an application, is there any way to go back and change it?</p>
<p>I was planning on using my Yale essay, but I didn’t really like it.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Not through Common App, but you can email an admissions officer and ask them to change it if it’s important</p>
<p>What qualifies as “important”?</p>
<p>important would be something that prevents them from understanding the app as you submitted it.</p>
<p>@perfectpixiel: the additional info section on the common app seems like a good place to write about EC’s you didn’t get a chance to elaborate on, where as harvard says you may submit an additional essay if you wish for their particular supplement. Put the general stuff on common app, then do something to stand out on the suplement</p>
<p>Thanks farail! I’ll do that :)</p>