<p>Hey guys, I was just wondering would it really hurt my chances if I don't send in my 217? They say it's "TRULY OPTIONAL" but really, is it?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>oh! also, my friend got in early decision. does that affect my chances for RD? (cuz were from the same school?)</p>
<p>yes it is truly optional. I did not write it and got in ED. You should write if you feel that there’s something else you want to add to your application that’s not already expressed in your common app or your supplement essay. Also if you are writing it, it needs to be good.</p>
<p>As for the second thing, no idea, probably not though.</p>
<p>It is absolutely optional… I didn’t and I got in! I have a ton of friends that didn’t complete it. If there is something that you think you can elaborate on in your 217 essay then go ahead and do it. It helps to set some students apart because it humanizes them within the paper application.</p>
<p>I’ve heard a lot of stories like the two above this post. I always figured saying the essay was optional was a way of weeding out kids that were too lazy/weren’t as interested but they seem to really mean what they say. I did the optional essay partially because I thought I had to and partially because I had a story I wanted to share; I got accepted to Wharton and think that the optional essay probably helped because (not trying to be arrogant) it was a really good essay that showed a side of me not found elsewhere on my app. In the end I think writing it helped but wasn’t by any means a major factor in my results.</p>
<p>Let’s beat the dead horse again…</p>
<p>Yes, it is optional, but why not do it?! It’s a free opportunity to impress the committee and leave a positive impression (however minute), so to abandon it is foolish given how competitive admissions are. It can’t hurt you (unless you really blow it); it can only help.</p>