<p>can you really write like whatever for the optional essay in a non-essay format, like the "list your books" choice?</p>
<p>bump......</p>
<p>Why do you think Harvard would tell you it's okay to write a list of books and then penalize you if you followed their suggestion?</p>
<p>hmm.. i was wondering a/b this too. do you think they would prefer a full-blown essay? considering "a list of books you have read in the last 12 months" was the last thing they suggested...?</p>
<p>lol you guys are overanalyzing this too much. Just write a good essay that reveals something new about you.</p>
<p>^ The OP is asking if it's OK to write something that's not in essay format.</p>
<p>My D who's there submitted a book list instead of the optional essay, but it was a killer book list. It fit her because her initial essay was about her passion for reading.</p>
<p>Occasionally, students feel that college application forms do not provide a sufficient opportunity to convey important information about themselves or their accomplishments. If there is something you would like us to know, please inform us below. If you wish to include an additional essay, you may do so.</p>
<p>Possible Topics:
- Unusual circumstances in your life
- Travel or living experiences in other countries
- Books that have affected you the most
- An academic experience (course, project, paper, or research topic) that has meant the most to you
- A list of the books you have read during the past twelve months</p>
<p>it is optional (but i'm sure most of us are doing it anyway; i am.., and yes, you can just list the books (look at the last topic)</p>
<p>or you can do whatever you want to do for this; it does say "possible" essay topics; tell them something that they won't find anywhere else in the application; make yourself stand out</p>
<p>thanks guys, yeah I was just wondering b/c I have an essay and a non-essay ready...just deciding which to send</p>
<p>hopefully you guys understand why harvard's essay is optional. it justifies the fact that they won't even look at it unless your scores and GPA is above a certain threshold.</p>
<p>only send a book list if it is relevant to who you are or your passions or something. otherwise, send the essay.</p>
<p>Or some other list :)</p>
<p>"it justifies the fact that they won't even look at it unless your scores and GPA is above a certain threshold."</p>
<p>what threshold exactly?</p>
<p>
[quote]
what threshold exactly?
[/quote]
If they revealed that, they would lose thousands of dollars in admissions fees annually. Seriously, though, top schools look at the big picture of your qualifications, not just your grades and scores, although obviously if your grades and scores are at the low end of those that get admissions, you need to have other things (and not just a good essay) to counterbalance.</p>
<p>ok, well i was just wondering; my grades and test scores are fine (35 ACT, 2270 SAT, 4.0 GPA), but i was just curious</p>
<p>Harvard is not trying to confuse you. A list is not an essay. They suggest a list as an option. Therefore it is okay to send in a list. It's also okay to not send in anything at all. A number of CCer's last year were accepted without sending in the optional essay. Just don't send in something that duplicates information on the rest of your application.</p>