<p>Ok so i didn't write the optional essay for the arts and sciences because i didn't want it to hurt me if it wasn't amazing...and i thought that i had included as much info as i could in my application. i didnt want my app to be like tedious or repetitive</p>
<p>but im wondering now if thats gunna hurt me. do you think admissions is gunna take it as i didnt care, or that im lazy ?? =[</p>
<p>did anyone get in without doing the optional essay ?? is it truly optional??</p>
<p>It will be fine no need to worry</p>
<p>As a general rule, I tried to do all the optional essays, if you spend time on them, they can serve as another way to make your app stand out</p>
<p>but optional means optional, it can't hurt you if you didn't do it, only help you if you did really well on it</p>
<p>i didn't write the why duke essay and got a likely letter. i think you'll be fine.</p>
<p>It has absolutely no bearing on your admissions status.</p>
<p>It's truly optional. I didn't do it, and got in.</p>