<p>Do you think the 'optional' questions are really optional? Or is this the type of thing where admissions reps will see someone didn't answer the questions and think, "She really didn't spend 5 minutes to think of an answer?"
For ex:
1.) OPTIONAL: Respond here if you want to briefly (75 words maximum) elaborate further on your choice of campus(es).</p>
<p>I'm only applying to the NYU campus and I really have no other answer other than the AD and Shanghai campuses are far away and not as reputable as NYC campus. </p>
<p>2.) OPTIONAL: Respond here if you want to briefly (50 words maximum) elaborate on any of your academic interests selected above.</p>
<p>Basically I'm asking if I should answer them and if so, I'm really lost on the campus of choice one. </p>
<p>I got in via ED (I) and I did fill up the optional responses. I showed my application to my teacher and he was worried that my short answers would pale in comparison to (what he thought was) an awesome supplemental essay and make my application weaker overall. But I kept them in anyway because I felt like I needed to elaborate on certain points I didn’t think would fit nicely into my essay, plus I spent quite some time on them (more than 5 minutes, definitely :P).</p>
<p>Basically, if you feel inspired by/ have an answer to the questions, then go for it. Poorly answered responses might leave a worser impression than blank responses (since the questions are OPTIONAL).</p>
<p>Just for another view here. I got in ED 1 as well and did not answer a single one of the optional questions because I felt that my supplement and personal statement answered them well and did not want to trouble the readers with what they already know. </p>
<p>Congrats to you too!!! I only answered the one about the campus because in my supplement I discussed my intended major so I think you’re right about being repetitive. I’ve just never seen another school do these short optional questions.</p>