<p>^^ See above question. I was just wondering whether or not in the Harvard or some other supplements if it affects admission chances or not to do the optional essay, or if the optional essays are strongly recommended. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thx!</p>
<p>In my opinion, completing the 'optional' essay shows just how badly you'd really like to attend a school. If you're not going to bother spending time on an essay, why should they bother admitting you? But again, that's just my opinion. ;)</p>
<p>Philosophically speaking, you should assume that an optional essay is optional only for those who eventually get admitted without having done it. If you choose not to do it and get rejected, you will assume it is because you failed to do it.</p>
<p>As my english teacher used to say, if you want it badly enough, than nothing is optional. Go for it.</p>
<p>I got into Penn State without writing an essay OR doing a EC list.</p>
<p>Not that Penn State isn't a great school, but it's no Harvard. Things run a little differently in the Ivies. Admission is clearly more difficult, and your competition is much higher. An essay can help you stand out from other applicants...and not providing one not only shows a lack of interest and effort, but takes away an opportunity to express why you should be admitted.</p>
<p>If it is a school you really want to go to, then you should definately write the essay. </p>
<p>My application had an optional personal statement. It was my first choice school, so I treated it as an essay that was supplemental to my application. I don't know if it made the difference, but I got accepted, so it was worth the extra effort.</p>
<p>Do it. Remember - the things that the adcoms are going to judge you on are the things you're going to put in that envelope you send to them. If you have a chance to give additional work/informationa about yourself, you simply can't pass it up.</p>
<p>It may say its optional. But they put it on their and make it an option for a reason. What do you have to lose by writing it.</p>
<p>Yeah you're right, I didn't realize he was applying to Harvard. If that's your goal then I would definetly do everything required. I mean that's like the Toughest school to get into in the Whole entire World,</p>
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If you choose not to do it and get rejected, you will assume it is because you failed to do it.
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<p>Also a very good point. You may be <em>completely</em> different from me, but if I chose not to complete the optional essay and ended up not getting accepeted, I'd constantly wonder 'What if?'</p>
<p>Just a thought...</p>
<p>This is harvard we are talking about so no its nto optional</p>
<p>Depends on the college.</p>
<p>I didn't for Pitt and I got accepted, but I was a double legacy and had above average scores, so I wasn't really worried.</p>
<p>Anywhere else, I definitely would.</p>
<p>I was accepted Early to Harvard without doing the optional essay.</p>
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I was accepted Early to Harvard without doing the optional essay.
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<p>But your stats alone could have made you a shoe-in....therefore, it's hard to say 'I got in without out so don't worry...'</p>
<p>It depends on the school. </p>
<p>Harvard's is truly optional. All you need to do is read the language and wording to understand that. </p>
<p>Johns Hopkins common app supplemental essays are not optional.</p>
<p>I didn't send the optional essay to Yale. My reasoning: Though they encourage an additional personal statement, my Common App essay was a personal statement. Anything else I added would just take away from it. It was a creative essay (poem style) and I really feel it reflects me. </p>
<p>In my case, I decided that it was optional and necessary for people who had not written a truly personal essay as their common app essay, however I am going to go on the fact that I feel comfortable that they have enough to judge me on.</p>
<p>I didn't submit anything extra besides the commonapp personal statement when I applied ED. So luckily I only had to write one essay throughout the application process.</p>
<p>Everyone I talked to who applied to Yale said to do the optional essay because it isn't really optional if you want to get in.</p>
<p>So I did it.</p>
<p>I don't understand why I would apply if I didn't want to get in-- and if I don't get in I don't think it will be on the merits of not sending an additional essay. If they want to be tricky and call it optional, then perhaps I'm dumb to believe that it truly is.</p>