<p>I'm applying RD, and although I know that my chances are ridiculously slim, I have a few, uh, "half-hooks"?</p>
<p>Anyway, I already submitted by Harvard application, and I decided to submit the extra supplemental essay. I also put my designated major as "engineering", which is in line with my EC's and stuff. I think Harvard might not admit me on the basis that I might as well go up the river to MIT which has much better engineering across the board, and I'm just applying for applying's sake.</p>
<p>Well, I'm not, and I'd probably choose the Crimson over the Engineers because of the well-rounded education at Harvard that's probably not going to happen at MIT. So I'm wondering if I should submit an extra essay (like, extra extra) clarifying this point. Like, 350 words, not too much.</p>
<p>Don’t be too obvious like “I swear I prefer Harvard even though I like engineering”
Writing that you like a well-rounded education is good. If you think you can write a good essay, I don’t see any reason why not. Princeton and Yale ask for an extra engineering so I don’t think it’s a bad idea.</p>
<p>So, the extra essay can be super important if you are deferred, because although it truly is optional, it is just another venue for you to demonstrate why you would be an important part of the class. Though they know that MANY people change majors (so they do not consider it as heavily as you may think), perhaps this extra essay would be a good place for you to talk about why you LOVE engineering. Maybe talk about the path that led you there, or your significant accomplishments in the field. Treat this extra essay as a way to show yourself off. I think it can be mistake to use the extra essay to talk about why you love Harvard. They KNOW that many applicants would kill for a place here, yet they do not request a “Why is Harvard your top choice?” essay because they WANT you to talk about yourself.</p>
<p>I wasn’t deferred…I’m just applying RD.</p>
<p>And yes, the essay is more of the why-engineering than the why-Harvard.</p>
<p>Sorry, my bad - I don’t know why I assumed deferred instead of RD. But yes, the extra essay is till important, especially if it displays your passion and who you are as an applicant! The optional essay is designed to show off additional perspectives of you. As long as your common app essay is not also about engineering, a second essay about why you love engineering would be a great addition.</p>
<p>Sorry, my bad - I already sent in the full application, INCLUDING the second essay. I’m wondering if I should send a third one, basically… :3 My second one wasn’t about either, it was about another EC that I thought was pretty important.</p>