<p>Not going to name the specific college, but they have an optional essay. I can't rework any of the 6 essays I wrote already to fit the prompt, and I don't especially want to write a new one, but I will if I have to. Will opting not to write the essay reflect badly on me to the point where I won't get merit? My stats/scores are WAY above the school's average, and they don't care about EC's. I've taken the most difficult courses at my school, my rec will probably be great, but I don't know if the essay will make or break merit for me.</p>
<p>What do you think?
I can imagine that an admissions officer, deciding which files to pull for merit aid, is going to start with the students who seem the most interested in the school. If you can’t bring yourself to spend a couple of hours writing the optional essay, you are probably not very committed.</p>
<p>That’s what I thought. Thanks.</p>
<p>In college admissions parlance, “optional” is generally understood to mean “recommended” . . . and “recommended” is understood to mean "required.”</p>
<p>Sorry. :(</p>
<p>There’s a story rolling around CC about a guy who got into every school he applied to (including Ivies), but not his safety. He blew off the optional essay - they took it as a sign he wasn’t very interested in the school. No one wants to be thought of as a backup, which is exactly what you’re telling them when you don’t do everything possible to get into a school.</p>