<p>Okay so my friend has applied to one of Purdue's Engineering majors or something recently. His stats are decent except his ACT is bottom to mid range. He did the STEPS (some physics thing I believe) program there over the summer. When he filled out the application he did not do the essay! It was optional and the people at STEPS said it didn't matter too much if they did the essay... But since the Engineering school is so competitive, and his stats aren't like wayyyyyyyy above the avg. Purdue stats, has he lost his chance there? (He seems to be pretty nonchalant about the whole essay thing in general)</p>
<p>I'm afraid so. Usually, on applications, even when something is optional, it is recommended.</p>
<p>Yeah he didn't seem to understand why I was so shocked when he told me he skipped it. All I could say was "But... but... but... all the people on CC say that it is REALLY important!" He still hasn't caught on to the CC miracle, and it might be too late. MANNNN I really hope he lucks out and gets in, he's a really smart guy, but I guess just misguided.</p>
<p>No, he is not dead at Purdue. Many do not do the essay and for the majority of admitted students it means little. However, where an essay can take on importance is for those who are borderline in usual admission statistics</p>
<p>skipping optional essays doesn't kill chances, but it diminishes them. Optional essays are a way to show the school you're interested in them, since you're willing to devote several hours to doing something specific only to that school. Adcoms realize this when they see the optional essays. </p>
<p>You could tell your friend to think of it this way. Purdue is going to have plenty of apps from students just like him (assuming he doesn't fall into a recruited category such as minority, son of famous politician, etc). They can't take all of them, how do they choose? Doesn't he think adcoms are going to favor those who have done everything they could to show they want to go to Purdue?</p>
<p>You might also show him the posting "This year's applicants - please listen" about andi's son who applied to top schools and didn't get in to any. Many kids are kinda cocky because they just don't understand the level of competition out there for the top schools. A lot of kids are suprised come spring.</p>