Is it a bad idea to submit an essay from one to school to another school?

Applying to College
1

<p>I'm applying to UNC EA and to Upenn ED. UNC requires a short and a long essay. For the long essay, they have the option:</p>

<p>"If you have written an essay for another school's application that you really like, feel free to use it as your longer essay for us. Please be sure to tell us (a) what question you are answering and (b) why you think this essay represents you well (your explanation will not be included in the essay word count). "</p>

<p>Would it be ok to submit my Upenn essay to UNC since they give the option???</p>

<p>I'm worried that sending in an essay from another school when it's early action/decision time will send the following message:</p>

<p>a) I'm applying ED somewhere else and you are just my backup UNC
b) I don't think any of your essays are good, so I'm going to be arrogant and send you a different one
c) I think other schools are more important than UNC and I don't want to waste my time writing another essay
d) I'm lazy</p>

<p>So what do you guys think... is it fair game to submit my essay from Upenn to UNC or should I just grind it out and write a totally new one from the choices they give?</p>

2

<p>interesting question. but of all your concerns, i'd say (b) is not true. but i think it shld be alright. if, say youre concern about (a) and (c) you can always counter that by showing interest in UNC. </p>

<p>my cent</p>

3

<p>skierdude~</p>

<p>I would say that it depends upon how applicable your essay would be to the second school. My son went through this process last year, and he highlighted a very unique and well-documented interest that he had. Obvioulsy that interest was the same for all schools because it was HIS interest. I would say that all of the schools received one form or another of that essay, though there were minor differences in them depending on the exact prompt from each school. So, to answer your question, if the essay fits, use it! If not, alter it a bit or go with a new one that would be more fitting for the second school. ~berurah</p>