<p>I am debating whether to write the optional essay because I am burnt-beyond-belief from the college admissions process and would like to just be done with it, once and for all. I realize that it would "look good" to put in the effort of writing the essay, but I am happy with my common app one, which basically already goes into the environment I grew up in and my views of the world, and I doubt another 500-word dubious encapsulation of the past 17 years would truly tip the scales in my favor. Tufts is not my first choice, but I don't want to consciously lower my chances of getting in if my first choice, NYU, doesn't accept me (though NYU is historically lest competitive, but you never know). I guess I just need a little help sorting my thoughts, and maybe a long-ass yoga session to ease my nerves.</p>
<p>Thanks so much, and congrats to all the ED acceptees!</p>
<p>It depends on your other stats. What's your GPA/SATs? If you're truly borderline in terms of the numbers, things like doing the second essay may be important in making up for that. Otherwise, at the risk of regretting this decision later on, don't worry too much about the optional essay. I know plenty of people who got in without it. If I were in your shoes though, I'd still go ahead and do it. Perhaps write an editorial instead. Or, use your common app essay as your optional essay and write a completely different common app essay about one of your EC's or something. If you opt for not writing the second essay, I do suggest that you make clear somewhere in your application (perhaps in the other info section) that you really like Tufts and why (even though it's not your first choice, you must like it since you're applying there so I'm sure you have some stuff to say here).</p>
<p>last year, tufts had an option of sending in a graded analytical essay. perhaps you have one that you could use? my son did that because, like you, he had put his heart and soul into his other essays and, out of interesting essay material, felt the best he could do was a half-arsed submission which would hurt rather than help. However, he didn't want to look like he didn't care about the Tufts' application, so that was his solution. And yeah, he got it ED2.</p>
<p>Thank you all so much for your input...in the end I decided to add in a short essay about why I chose my prospective major, English (I know - very original). I had already written it for some of my other applications, so I just elaborated a little - and I think it showed that I do care about Tufts, like you said, jjsmom, but didn't stress me out unnecessarily. I submitted all of my applications. Cue enormous sigh of relief. :)</p>