<p>Wrote a decently long one about the career paths that I want to take.... got deferred :-/</p>
<p>i didn't do a supplement, and i was accepted; i felt that at that point, one more essay wasn't going to make the difference, after all the work i'd done through high school. i liked my original essay though...was about service, and then specifically military service, and how i will serve my country and community in the Marine Corps.</p>
<p>shawna</p>
<p>sorry to revive a dead thread, but I was just wondering: if I had one great essay and one that's ok, should I just submit the great one or would it not hurt me to send both? (even if they don't like the other one)</p>
<p>Why would you submit an essay you don't like? What would it add to your application?</p>
<p>well, let's say I have one great personal essay and another one that reveals another side of my personality, but is kinda cliche-sounding.</p>
<p>I'm basically wondering if it's worth it to send in the optional essay. I mean, if sending in another essay can't hurt you, then why doesn't everybody do it?</p>
<p>It can definitely hurt you. I do not know where you heard otherwise. Every material you send to a college will be considered (with the exception of SAT scores at certain SAT optional schools or things like that). A weak essay (supplementary or no) will make your application look weaker. </p>
<p>If that side of your personality is something you really think needs to be conveyed in order to give an accurate picture of who you are, improve your essay as much as you can or, better yet, write a new one to showcase this side of you. If it is nice but not necessary, my advice would be to not submit it.</p>