Optional Essays: A Test?

<p>If a college offers optional essays, is it best to do them or not? I would rather not, but I was thinking that colleges might use them as a test to see who is truly interested. Anyone else know?</p>

<p>What kind of optional essays?If you feel that your main essay is strong and suffice then I don't think it is necessary to respond to the optional essay.</p>

<p>There actually is no required essay. There is only one essay, and it is optional...</p>

<p>Actually... .since its common app.. I did do the normal required essay.. but the supplement has an optional essay... any suggestions?</p>

<p>If you think you can write well on the optional essay's prompt.. Go for it.. or else don't.. I know a friend of mine who wrote an optional essay n got into an Ivy... Another friend didn't write one.. N still got in..
So... it basically doesn't matter much..</p>

<p>Ah, great... I did well on the required essay, but the optional looks hard... Its basically a free write about anything that will show them your personality. I'm not a very creative writer... so yea..</p>