<p>As for optional, I could be wrong, but I feel like the “optional” portions of any college application are part of the sorting process. Do people get in without doing the “optional” part, or course. But I would have to assume that if the “optional” section is of an appropriate quality it has to speak in the applicants favor. It shows interest, and effort to complete these portions also. On the other hand, sending in garbage in these sections I feel would hurt the applicant more than leaving them blank.</p>
<p>BTW Harvard’s application was the easiest application my daughter had to complete. These is no reason to have trouble doing it.</p>
<p>The hardest she had to do were Yale and MIT followed by all those schools who require various “why xyz college?” essays.</p>