<p>I know essays are an important component of one's application (perhaps the most important if other stats have reached a certain level), but how do individual essays themselves rank in importance? How would Harvard's own supplement essay compare with the Common App main essay? And I was told it'd be a good idea to write a "why I want to go to your university" even though they don't require it - how important would that be if I were to submit it?</p>
<p>Harvard is far more interested in what you have to offer Harvard than why you want to go to Harvard.</p>
<p>The content of the essays is most important, not whether they are or aren’t the common app essays.</p>