<p>I was planning on submitting it anyway, but just out of curiosity: what proportion of applicants would you say decline to write a supplement essay? Just wonderin'.</p>
<p>P.S. Good luck to everyone! :)</p>
<p>Bump Bump Bump</p>
<p>I just think writing an optional essay makes your chances all the greater. I don't think very many will pass the opportunity up.</p>
<p>One of the main unifying characteristics of H students is that they tend to take advantage of opportunities. Being offered the opportunity to submit something extra and declining doesn't sound like a good way to demonstrate that you're a fit for the campus culture.</p>
<p>it's optional, so not doing it won't hurt your chances</p>
<p>but doing it can't hurt at all (unless you completely just suck it up), especially if it shows just a little extra about you that may just be enough to get you into harvard</p>
<p>You should probably take every opportunity to present yourself as a person and not a set of numbers. It would only hurt you by denying you that extra opportunity, unless you write something that is just horrible.</p>
<p>I agree with everyone above.</p>
<p>It can't hurt you, and it might just move you over into that accept pile. Totally worth an hour or two of essay work.</p>