<p>I know that Princeton has an additional sheet that says something like, "Anything else?" which I assume is for an essay of some sort.</p>
<p>I was a bit hesitant about sending in an additional essay since Princeton seemed to have a lot of essay-type questions anyway... I did the Common App so I had my Personal Statement, Most Meaningful Activity, and then the two short answers.</p>
<p>So did you do the optional essay, or did you feel that your application was complete anyway without the additional form sent in?</p>
<p>I think it's so funny that everyone assumes it's an essay - that thought never once crossed my mind.</p>
<p>I used it to give a personal touch to my application - I hand-wrote my favorite quotes from books I've read, which mean a lot to me, etc., and coincided with one of my short-answer essays, and proves I'm well rounded since I'm a math girl, etc. etc. The rest of my app was online or printed, so I felt that hand-writing something was very important.</p>
<p>I'd advise you to do something unique and interesting, that really shows them a personal side of you.</p>
<p>I got a recommendation from my boss at teh National Cancer Institute, did it have to be from us, i could ahve sworn it said we could use it for a letter of reccommendation</p>
<p>prettyfish - Yeah, I did assume it was an essay. I guess it's because I've had to fill out so many applications where they didn't leave room for creative thought that I just automatically figured that they'd want another essay, lol. Princeton's application is such a refreshing break from all of that (especially the series of short, short answer questions). Time for some creativity to shine through. =D</p>
<p>did anyone not do the anything else section? i guess i thought it was an essay as well and didn't think a fourth essay would be necessary for me personally.</p>
<p>and since it's optional, it should be looked upon as yet another great opprotunity for you to tell them about yourself. i agree 100% with prettyfish. if you don't feel another essay is necessary, then do something completely different with the optional form. be creative and be you. write a statement, post a picture, write a dialogue, describe something meaningful. it's a great chance to be unconventional.</p>
<p>I think an essay is fine as long as it shows a side of you that was not mentioned in the other part of the application. I agree with Gianevve, you should take every opportunity to show that you are well-rounded. I submitted a sample of my poems because I wrote about my creative writing in one of my essays.</p>
<p>I'm sure that's fine...well, I hope it is because that's what I'm going to do, and plus, if you have your main application in on time they won't mind about optional stuff coming in a few days late</p>
<p>i'm sending:
info about a website i made, dates and awards for athletic competitions (1 page), and maybe more descpription of what i want to do in my future. so probably 3 pages.</p>
<p>OK, I've got an interesting essay question, and instead of cluttering this board with another thread, I think it works in nicely here.</p>
<p>For Princeton's two 250 word essays, it says two of the following topics. They are fairly open ended, but if you choose the the "any topic" choice, does the other essay have to be one of theirs (I suppose the tell us about yourself is almost "any topic")?</p>
<p>And, if you are doing the Princeton app instead of the common-app, do you have to write the 500 words essay and the two 250 word essays all on 3 different prompts from the 5 given?</p>
<p>Now I suppose I can really write on whatever I so desire, but I thought I'd run it through anyone that has ideas. </p>
<p>um..I'm doing the P-ton app instead of common app, and yes, I have to write a 500 word essay and two 250 word short essays by picking 3 topics from the 5 given. I chose to do my 500 on "tell us about yourself", one 250 on meaningful talent, accomplishment, etc, and the other 250 on a person who has affected your life</p>
<p>basically i think you can tailor each prompt to write on whatever you desire, as long as you sort of discuss what the question asks....just my thoughts</p>
<p>i used it to write about athletic competition awards, and elaborated on a program i started and my philosophy behind it. 2 extra sheets, plus the form itself. so hopefully they won't find it too much lol.</p>