<p>On the app, they say that the essay is optional. If you don't submit an additional essay, does it significantly decrease your chances?</p>
<p>not as much as a mediocre additional essay would.</p>
<p>Most of the people I have talked to submitted at least the supplemental application</p>
<p>To clarify SEW's post:</p>
<p>The supplement is REQUIRED. The optional essay has been debated before. Many people who did it were admitted. People who didn't do it were also admitted. Do it if you have time, and if it's a quality essay.</p>
<p>Yeah, exactly, if you put your heart into it and make it good, then, by all means, submit it. But just don't make a half-hearted effort and turn something in because you "felt Yale would want another essay."</p>