<p>So, I'm working on my Harvard app and doing the essays. I know we have to do the short answer, and then the personal essay. However, I thought I read somewhere that in addition to the personal statement, you'll need to make a longer essay from your short answer response, but now I can't find that. So, can anyone clearn up for me, exactly which essays we need to do and if we need to extend the short answer for another essay? Thanks!</p>
<p>Last year, that was the case for Yale...a required second long essay which is an off-shoot of the short common ap question. Last year, that was not the case for Harvard, altho you could send in an optional supplementary essay, which my son did. I don't know if anything has changed for this year.</p>
<p>Thanks. I'm also applying to Yale and remember seeing that you had to extend the short answer essay. However, I can't seem to find it now. Would you, by any chance, remember where in the application it said this?</p>
<p>It will be mentioned in the Yale/Harvard Supplements to the Common App.</p>
<p>For Yale (page 2 of supplement):</p>
<p>"Essay Requirement</p>
<p>Yale requires two essays of about 500 words each: the Common Applications Personal Statement and a second essay that expands your response to the short answer on page APP-4 of the Common Application. To fulfill the second essay requirement, on the essay page provided, write about an interest or activity that has been especially meaningful to you."</p>
<p>Harvard doesn't require an additional essay. However, it does say this somewhere (page 4 of supplement):</p>
<p>"Occasionally, students feel that college application forms do not provide a sufficient opportunity to convey important information about themselves or their accomplishments. If there is something you would like us to know, please inform us in the essay section at the end of the document. If you wish to include an additional essay, you may do so.</p>
<p>Possible Topics:
- Unusual circumstances in your life
- Travel or living experiences in other countries
- Books that have affected you the most
- An academic experience (course, project, paper, or research topic) that has meant the most to you
- A list of the books you have read during the past twelve months"</p>
<p>I completed the Apps (and supplements) online, but I imagine that it is the same for hardcopy applications too.</p>
<p>Its mid-June now...why are you starting this early? Aren't there still like 5 months to ED?</p>
<p>Thanks a bunch thinkjose1. I was planning on doing the app by hand and then just copying it into the computer.</p>
<p>a-bomb: Well, we have the app, so might as well get a head start. Personally, I know I'll be really busy as soon as school starts (Aug. 8) because of Golf season and various extracurriculars.</p>
<p>Umm, I just looked in my 2005-2006 Yale app and it's not there. However, I looked at the 2004-20005 app and it had exactly what you quoted thinkjose. So, I'm assuming that this year, Yale's going to be like Harvard, in that you only need one long essay, one short answer, and if you want another long essay?</p>
<p>No, it's not required, but its there. On page 2 of the Yale supplement, you'll note that under part III there is an optional additional essay. This is basically the same thing that was on the app last year (activity extended essay) except with a broader subject base.</p>
<p>galgrl, I suppose that Yale is going to the Harvard route. A plan to increase apps perhaps?</p>
<p>Harvard has the Common Application and the Harvard Supplement.</p>
<p>Common Application:
1 essay
1 short essay/paragraph on an extracurricular activity or activities</p>
<p>Supplement:
optional essay on anything (as someone stated above)</p>
<p>I strongly advise prospective applicants to complete an optional essay if you can, that is, show another dimension to your personality that is not seen in your Common Application essay. Make sure all aspects of your essays showcase you.</p>
<p>Ok, great, thanks everyone! So, I guess Yale's doing it like Harvard this year.</p>
<p>And xjayz . . . I went to Yale and attended the information session. The admissions guy who gave the session said that if you needed to, then you should write that optional essay. but he said, not everyone should do it, because the officers sometimes get annoyed when your folder is wayyyy too thick.</p>
<p>Good advice on limiting the "extras". Sometimes less is more. Here's a cute story from The Crimson (a few years back) about extras - the gist of the story is "don't":</p>
<p>Is the essay topic the same topic evey year? If it is, what's the essay topic?</p>
<p>The essay topics are those you see on the Common Application which DOES NOT change from year to year.</p>