how optional is the optional essay?

<p>I'm still debating whether to put my optional essay in harvard's common app supplement. Do most people do it? I think it is a good essay, but not excellent. Worse than my common app essay</p>

<p>Including an essay can only increase your chances and won't hurt you unless it's about your drinking days or prison buddy. From my experience, most people do it. Take a look at the featured discussion - <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-essays/439171-optional-essays.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-essays/439171-optional-essays.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>I've looked at that discussion, but there seems to be no definite consensus. I'm just asking about Harvard specifically.</p>

<p>You have no reason NOT to write one.
Their possible topics include a LIST of all the books you've read in the past year.
Why don't you do that?</p>