<p>If so, are u all writing the essay???</p>
<p>Bump, I want to know too how well it will increase chances</p>
<p>It's completely optional, so if you really want to do it, then don't do it.</p>
<p>It can increase your chances if it brings out another side of you that you think doesn't come out in your application already. I did the optional essay, but some others won't. Some who don't do the essay will get in, and some won't. The same goes for those who do write that essay. </p>
<p>If you think it'll increase your chances, then do it. I, personally, would do it anyway just to be safe, but it is optional.</p>
<p>yeah I'm doing it just to not take any chances. I mean, unless you are terrible at essay writing it can't hinder your application and it may well provide a boost to your app.</p>
<p>Right, unless you absolutely suck at writing essays (which would be bad since you have to write the Common App one anyway), then it can't hurt your application to do the optional essay. I was actually fortunate enough to use one of my other college's essays for the optional one (I used Princeton's supplemental essay for both my Harvard and my Yale supplemental essays since Harvard's was optional and Yale's was any topic).</p>
<p>They don't give a world limit in the question but underneath in the section where you can type on the supplement, there's a limit of 2000 characters. Does that mean they want you to keep your essay around that amount of characters?</p>
<p>^ I didn't, and I don't think it's going to matter. Mine was a normal 500-word essay (which turned out to be larger than 2000 characters, so I uploaded it). If they have someone counting the characters in your essay at the admissions office, that would be absurd. If it's good, I don't think it matters how long it is (within reason, though; 1000 words is a bit much, and 800 words is steep).</p>
<p>I'm challenging the orthodoxy: more is not better. When I applied, I didn't submit a supplemental, although my entire case was based on my supposed talent as a writer. If the supplemental essay is as good or better than the Common App essay, or it is absolutely necessary to show a second facet of your personality or story, submit it by all means. But it <em>can</em> hurt if it's sloppily or hastily done, or too similar to the primary essay. Don't feel obligated. Ace the Common App.</p>
<p>Petoncycline, which essay topic for Princeton did you use? The first? </p>
<p>I was fortunate to use my Yale's supplement for Harvard. </p>
<p>I personally see Harvard's offer of a supplemental essay as a chance to better present yourself, especially another side of you. I think it's Harvard's polite way of saying, do you have anything to say?</p>
<p>Yeah, I did Princeton's 1st option, the one about someone's influence on you. I was able to use that for both Harvard and Yale's supplemental essays since Harvard's was an optional topic of your choice and Yale's was a required topic of your choice.</p>
<p>good idea, Peyton.</p>
<p>I might do that too. My Princeton topic #1 was sort of an "intellectual experience" and "person who influenced me" combined, so I think it could work.</p>
<p>I'd say that if you can't think of a topic you'd write the second essay on, it's a good sign it's probably won't be too helpful. That is, you shouldn't spend days trying to figure out what your supplement essay should be.</p>
<p>I think lackadaisy has a point...think about how much paper those adcoms have to go through...over 20,000 applications each with a common app essay, teacher recs, guidance counselor rec, transcripts!!</p>