<p>I know the optional essay is "optional," but we all know that usually implies it should be done.</p>
<p>But because I applied to the Joint Degree Programme with a 1200 word essay (thanks, W&M Admissions for the tips!), do I still have to do the optional essay? Because:</p>
<p>A) I feel like everything there is to know about me has been said a million times in my app. Between my common app personal statement, extracurricular essay, additional info section of my common app, and now this really long essay for the program (in which I included many facts about who I am and how I see the world), I feel like anything else I could write would be entirely unnecessary.</p>
<p>B) My school requires all college common applications be submitted by this Friday (they have really weird rules). Because W&M is one of the only school I'm applying to that requires me to submit the supplement before the common app, I must also submit my supplement by Friday (or really Thursday night). The Joint Degree Programme essay took me so long that I don't think I have time to write a quality essay by tomorrow night.</p>
<p>So because I wrote such a long and informative essay for the Joint Degree Programme essay, will they forgive me for not submitting the optional essay?</p>
<p>plenty of people get admitted to W&M that didn’t do the optional submission. It really is optional.</p>
<p>Obviously, if you don’t do it, then you are passing on a chance to show W&M something about you. But if you think you are completely covered by the rest of your application, then you can pass on it.</p>
<p>If you think you’ve run out of words to write, do you think there’s anything you can say? </p>
<p>I’ve noticed that several applicants submit supplemental videos instead of essays. They aren’t necessarily elaborate. Just a way for the student to “talk” to admissions staff and say a little more about himself/herself. That’s what my daughter will be doing. She’s burnt out from writing. </p>
<p>If you go to YouTube and search for William & Mary Supplemental Essay Videos you’ll see several samples from past years. Good luck.</p>
<p>The optional essay is truly optional. If you don’t feel you can do it well or say anything you haven’t already said there is no obligation to do it. It’s totally up to you.</p>
<p>While videos are permitted we do generally caution against them. Oftentimes, the deans do not have their computers handy when reading files and therefore cannot necessarily view them. Additionally, we often find that students who submit them via DVD don’t format them well and our computers cannot read them. If you do submit a video, and choose to upload it to a website such as youtube, we ask that you make it private. We consider all parts of your application confidential including any optional submission.</p>
<p>I think I’ll not do it in that case. I’m pretty confident that my common app and joint degree programme essay show who I am successfully and sufficiently. Thank you for all the replies.</p>