<p>"optional essays" be? I understand that it isnt a requirement to write them, but not writing them couldn't be a detriment to admissions... right?</p>
<p>It depends totally on how good your essay is. It could be a detriment if it"s not as good as your other essays. If it"s as good or better, and adds another piece of information about you that wasn"t covered in the other essays, it will help.</p>
<p>Anyone else having trouble with apostrophes, by the way?</p>
<p>Thanks... I expected as much.</p>
<p>anyone have an idea how much length is a factor in this one. It is an optional essay so I would think their 250-400 word guidelines would be lenient.</p>
<p>I would say don't go over 450, and try to stay at 400. They don't want to read little novels. ;-)</p>