<p>Are the Penn "optional" essays really optional or are they a test of the dedication applicants have to the school?</p>
<p>I wouldn't feel comfortable not doing them. Are you talking about the 07-08 admissions? I dont recall any of them being optional</p>
<p>yeah, there are three that are called "optional".</p>
<p>which ones?
the only essays i see are on page 12, they prompt you with:
compulsory why penn?</p>
<p>then
you have completed your autobiography...
first experience
risk taking.</p>
<p>are the last three optional?</p>
<p>oh sorry,
i have the penn only application (its the only place im applying) not the common app.</p>
<p>Oh, nvm, I guess I printed out last years app because it said optional on that.</p>
<p>The common app supplement and the penn only application have different essay options. I would also like to know the answer to the OPs question. Also, do you think it hurts one's chances to use the common app instead of the penn only supplement?</p>
<p>jackberm, we can't offer "answers," only opinions. I doubt that it makes much difference whether you use Common App or Penn only app. If you use the Common App, however, you have to include the Penn "only" supplement. That is not optional :) In general, the more essays you write, the more the ad com can see through the stats to the person. So, if this helps you, write the extra essays, and if this hurts you, do the minimum. btw, I hear that using Common App plus Penn supplement gives you the chance to write the most essays.</p>
<p>the optional essays on the supplement / required essays on the penn-only app are designed to add layers of depth and varied perspective on an applicant to a full application.</p>
<p>therefore, only write additional essays if the insights offered in each essay response sum to an even more compelling case for your acceptance than what is already offered elsewhere (as in the common app essay, and others).</p>