Optional Essays: Required? Dumb question . . .

For Ivy and elite schools, are optional essays completed by most of those who get in? If you have a strong application, do you need to write the optional essays?

<p>Good question. I don't know the answer to that, but I would give you the advice to write one if you are a decent writer. It couldn't hurt, whereas there is a chace that not writing one will. If you are a poor writer, I suggest that you stick to the application.</p>

<p>You can pretty much assume that serious applicants will take advantage of every opportunity they have to present themselves, and so should you. But make sure your essay is worth reading.</p>

<p>Well, this isn't an elite uni, but i was at a VaTech info session and they said that less than 20 percent do the optional essays. Again, it's not an ivy, so take from that whatyou will.</p>

<p>optional essays, unless they give you a very different facet of your personality... should be avoided. it just is one more thing to read, and these admissions officers read hundreds of applications...</p>

<p>Thanks for the info . .</p>

<p>i agree with drownindreams... since the only have like 20 min to read, its time-consuming and unnecessary....</p>