<p>I'm applying via the common app... I did the two common app essays... and I'm going to do the academic courses essay... just not the 10$ question. Do you guys think that it'd look necessarily <em>bad</em> or that I'd have a much greater chance of getting in if I do the 10$ question as well? After all, they are... optional.</p>
<p>if you complete the common application for JHU, you only need to submit the common application essays. HOWEVER, Hopkins does encourage you to (as the supplement states) do their two essays instead of or in addition to your common app. essay. </p>
<p>In fact, the adcoms at Hopkins STRONGLY ENCOURAGE that you do the Hopkins essays as they prefer seeing the creativity and originality of applicants' $10 essays, and also appreciate the information one can provide in the "class" essay.</p>
<p>My recommendation is that you do the $10 essay. When admissions people "stongly encourage" I take that as a requirement. </p>
<p>hope that helps.</p>