One college im applying to has 3 Short–250 word-- essays, each to “learn more about the applicant” Only one is required, but there are two optional. Basically what I’m wondering is how much focus belongs in these short essays, if they are definitely nessecary to do, and any other thoughts about them. I know it differs from college to college, so allow me to clarify however needed.
You should do any optional essays and you should work hard to make them stand out.
You should definitely do any optional essays- it shows interest that you took the time to complete them. I would treat them as though they were required, IMO.
I suppose that’s what I was expecting. My main question now is how the writing should differ from my personal essay. I spent a lot of time focusing on the writing style and narrative aspect, but are these short answers more about content rather than style?
If a college that wanted to improve his yield simply asked applicants “do you really want to go here?”, how many do you think would say “nah, not my first choice. In fact you’re near the bottom of the pile.” ?
So questions like these are a method colleges use to gauge true interest. And that’s why they have quirky question, so you can’t reuse something you’ve already written. A kid that isn’t strongly motivated to get in will kind of blow the essay off. Assuming they even turn it in, the lack of attention and rewriting will show.
And so there’s your answer. It’s not the content, it’s not the style, they want to see you put a lot of time into it. Like it really mattered to you. Someone who read the essays you sent to every college should not see a drop off in quality on these.
IMO, optional essays are never optional.
Awesome answer, makes a lot of sense. Thanks a bunch.