<p>How many plan to write this second essay? Do you believe that one should avail him/herself of this opportunity if they have something of merit to say (ie. an unusual circumstance) or should everyone write it as a second opportunity to show a different perspective of themself?</p>
<p>Correct me if I am wrong, but you are basically asking:
A - should people write it or
B - should people write it.</p>
<p>Yes, write it. Yale required two essays in previous years, one of which focused on the most meaningful activity and one of your own choosing. The only change in this year's application is that you have more freedom. Use it.</p>
<p>I concur. They wouldn't have that option if they didn't want you to use it. Whether you use it to explain circumstances, or you make it into something that shows a different side to you, than why wouldn't you</p>
<p>I could be "one of those guys" and encourage you not to write the essay because I'm applying to Yale also, but just think about it, even if one were to write a horrible essay it shows that that person spent extra time for Yale, and that will mean something.</p>
<p>Ehh only write the optional essay if you can add something important. I didn't send Yale an optional essay when I applied.</p>
<p>The Yale admissions officer for our region informed us that it's not really optional. If you want to be admitted, you write it.</p>
<p>This is what I'll say: Do you really want to be looking at a letter of rejection/deferral and be forced to wonder whether or not writing that essay would have made a difference? there is so little under your control that if yale is giving you this chance to show them a little more about yourself, it would be foolish not to take it.</p>
<p>well i applied when it wasn't optional, but i really think it helped my app</p>
<p>i also applied to another school whose essay was optional that year and DIDNT write it and it was the only school i got deferred/WLed from...</p>
<p>for my optional essay i wrote about the same topic as my short answer, is that ok</p>
<p>Hmmm, if it's a really complex topic with multiple perspectives then sure, but I think the whole purpose of the optional essay is to talk about something not already mentioned in the rest of the application.</p>
<p>Well, when I wrote mine I wanted to show a side not shown in the other essay. That's how I took it from</p>