<p>For non-common apps they have sections where you have to fill it out and others where you can leave them blank.</p>
<p>Optional sections include information about courses (which is weird cause the transcript will show all), parents status, alumni relations and such.</p>
<p>Do you think filling out the optional section can increase or decrease the chances for admissions, and vice versa?</p>
<p>I am filling them out to show that I care but for some questions, I feel as if they will use it to my disadvantage.</p>
<p>Optional = optional. Fill out what you want; you’re not gonna be placed at a disadvantage because didn’t fill something out that wasn’t required.</p>
<p>^Not necessarily. Optional essays, for example correlate with yield–that is, those that do them are deemed to be more interested in the college and more likely to go if accepted. Yield is important to schools.</p>
<p>im talking more about parents and relative informations and other personal information that colleges really don’t need to see to decide whether or not I deserve to be accepted</p>