<p>I wrote MIT's optional essay because I had something I thought was really exciting to write about, and it certainly wasn't shown just with my "Honorable mention in state science fair" under the awards section. Got in EA.</p>
<p>As far as Harvard's optional essay goes, I gave a lot of optional information in that section, just because I hadn't put it on commonapp, there wasn't space for it anywhere else, and I really felt like my application was incomplete without it. </p>
<p>On the other hand, UC Berkeley's application had space for EVERYTHING, so in the "additional information" section (which is kind of like an optional essay section), I pretty much put nothing.</p>
<p>So, really, I think optional essays should be seen as OPPORTUNITIES to show interest and to put that something that you didn't have space for elsewhere in your application. But if you have already had space for everything, and you can't think of anything to write for the optional essay, then it probably isn't necessary...</p>
<p>I saw this thread, and I thought I'd post this. I did not do optional essays to TWO colleges, and guess what? Yes, I got DENIED! They look at how much the prospective students are interested in their college as well. When you show the college your lack of interest, they have a better reason to deny you. My GPA is 3.96, ranked 12 in my class, and not-so-good SAT scores, but the main reason I feel I got deferred is due to the sole reason of not taking the time to feel out the optional essays. Do I regret not filling them out? Surprisingly, no. I wasn't looking forward to Oglethorpe University or Mercer University. My main goal is UGA, and UGA only.</p>
<p>im sorry but i would be asking the above person..how can u be so confident its only becuz of ur not doing ur optional essay u didnt get in..see the thing is i wrote the tufts optional essay.but i didnt send it.why? because the only thing it showed was that i had written well and i can write good...thats it...it clearly states in the optional essay question that it is an opportunity to be creative and to express blah blah blah..and i really dont think colleges mean it to be a trick question when they say 'OPTIONAL'...yes it definately displays interest... but then so do interviews..so do alot of other things like keeping check on and emailing them to ask them about stuff. ofcourse if u have somethig to add which gives a different perspective to ur personality.go ahead..and do it...its awesonme..but if not..its okay.
i had a lot of fun doing my tufts application.honestly i loved the questions and everything about it.i even had time for the optional but as i said i dont want to repeat myself through the optional essay.</p>
<p>so those of u who didnt write it.quit worrying.its seriously okay....if ur destined to get in somewhere.u will..whether or not u wrote that "OPTIONAL" essay :)
and be happy now..cuz its done.</p>
<p>I personally had a great time writing my optional essay. I must say it turned out to be one of the most unique and quirky essays I have ever written. </p>
<p>Anyway, in my opinion, I think students should only do the optional essay if they can be creative writers. If you do not write well, you probably should not write the essay, because it will only serve to further demonstrate your not-so-superior writing abilities.</p>
<p>
[quote]
im sorry but i would be asking the above person..how can u be so confident its only becuz of ur not doing ur optional essay u didnt get in..see the thing is i wrote the tufts optional essay.but i didnt send it.why? because the only thing it showed was that i had written well and i can write good...thats it...it clearly states in the optional essay question that it is an opportunity to be creative and to express blah blah blah..and i really dont think colleges mean it to be a trick question when they say 'OPTIONAL'...yes it definately displays interest... but then so do interviews..so do alot of other things like keeping check on and emailing them to ask them about stuff. ofcourse if u have somethig to add which gives a different perspective to ur personality.go ahead..and do it...its awesonme..but if not..its okay.
i had a lot of fun doing my tufts application.honestly i loved the questions and everything about it.i even had time for the optional but as i said i dont want to repeat myself through the optional essay.</p>
<p>so those of u who didnt write it.quit worrying.its seriously okay....if ur destined to get in somewhere.u will..whether or not u wrote that "OPTIONAL" essay<br>
and be happy now..cuz its done.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I hardly come to the college essays threads. If I do not reply, you might want to send me a message letting me know if you have asked me something on here.</p>
<p>Anyways, I'm sure because my GPA was 3.96, and I took the most difficult classes my school has to offer. 3.96 is an UW GPA too. I'm in several clubs as well, showing leadership and responsibility.</p>
<p>Write the optional essays. Usually, they're pretty general, so you can just use an essay for another school. Why give up a chance to tell the admission officers more about you? I jumped at every optional essay for every school that I applied to (and was successful, got in MIT EA).</p>
<p>Optional essays are INDEED OPTIONAL. I read an article in a collegeboard admission's book; in their interview with various colleges the MAJORITY of the colleges said it would NOT be labeled optional if not submitting it hurts your chances.</p>
<p>Remember, essays can't make you, but they can break you. If you choose to do the optional it better be damn good.</p>
<p>I know someone who got into UPenn early and DID NOT any of the optional essays. He wasn't overly qualified -- in fact, no one in their right mind would have told him he was a sure thing at UPenn -- i bet some people on here would have told him he would be rejected. So it just goes to show you that there are instances in which optional essays are indeed optional.</p>
<p>All of the top schools I applied to had at least one required essay, and I don't remember ever seeing any optional ones. While there are some exceptions, many of the schools that have only optional essays and no recommendations probably aren't competitive enough to make them required in the first place. If someone is already overqualified for a middle of the pack university in terms of gpa and test scores, they're not going to reject them over lack of extracirriculars in the application or essays, unless the applicatant does something stupid like insult the college on the application.</p>
<p>I think you guys are kind of going way over your heads. If it says its optional, it's optional. Universities aren't performing a trick question on you. As my economics teacher says, you make the decision. There is no right or wrong honestly. Don't try to read in between the lines if there aren't any lines to read anything in between in.</p>
<p>As for me, I wrote them, only because I love writing and I think universities will have a deeper understanding for who I am as a person and why somebody like me, who might I add, is not extremely extraordinary, wants to apply. I also want to show them a little bit about my life's circumstances. I have MORE to say through my experiences than through anything else on my application. If you feel your writing doesn't explain much as another part on your application, do not fret too much. </p>
<p>My daughter did NOT do the optional essay for Tufts last year, and she was accepted RD. Why didn't she do it? She just really does not care to write that kind of essay. She is an excellent writer, but the kind of writing such essays require just doesn't interest her. It was hard enough for her to do the common app essay. She can do analytical writing; she just doesn't care for introspective or quirky stuff. If you feel you can add something to your application with your optional essay ... or if not being accepted by a school would ruin your life (thus making it imperative you do everything possible to increase your chances of acceptance) ... it would be a good idea to do the essay. If not, then don't stress about it too much.</p>