<p>Is the essay required?? And if it isn't submitted how does it affect admissions?</p>
<p>It’s been required for a long time to my knowledge, unless that changed this year.</p>
<p>However, if you’re applying for the second deadline, even if the essay is only optional, do it anyway. The second decision group is much more difficult to get accepted, because space is much more limited than the December decision date.</p>