Hi,
Is the Williams supplemental essay really optional?
Why would you give up the opportunity to show something else about yourself?
It is really optional, but @bwaygirl1 makes a good point–it’s an opportunity to improve your chances of admission, so it’s in your best interest to write a great supplement.
No, it’s not optional. It’s just an easier way to weed out those that the college finds really don’t want to go there.
If you are applying with a ton of AP in History or English, then it would be easy and less “optional”. If you are applying with a STEM background, I tis more optional as they realize essays are not your thing.
I am sure I was admitted on the basis of mine, so not sure why you’d pass that up. AmherstClass2020 is incorrect though - it certainly isn’t a weed out mechanism, but by filling it out and taking the time to craft an essay, irrespective of your intended major, you are raising your chances of admission by painting a clearer picture of yourself and demonstrating greater interest. So, in short, complete it if you really want to go to Williams.
No essay at a competitive school like Williams is optional. I mean, yes, sure, they’re not lying, but as everyone here is saying, it’s another place to demonstrate who you are and what value you’ll bring to the school.
Passing up an optional essay may suggest to the school that you are not serious about them, but are just throwing an application their way because it is easy to do so given the Common Application. Although Williams does not stress ‘demonstrated interest’ like some other schools do, I am sure it helps to care enough to complete the optional essay.
Seconded.
Yeah, I probably should have written the essay…I was ultimately waitlisted and then denied.