"Optional" transfer app essay

Colleges and Universities A-Z Brown University
1

<p>I’m applying to Brown for transfer. The last question on the app is the optional 1600 character essay/paragraph. Is that one of those “optional” essays that isn’t really optional? Or should it serve the purpose of explaining any deficiencies in your application, or what?</p>

<p>Would it be the spot to mention that I’m a legacy since there’s nowhere on the supplement to put that explicitly, and maybe work it into a short blurb about visiting Brown with my grandpa?</p>

<p>Any input would be much appreciated. Thanks.</p>

2

<p>Bumping this since I’m curious as well. I wrote a short creative personal narrative, but I have no idea whether I should use it or not. Can any transfer applicants from previous years comment on this?</p>

3

<p>Unless you have something really important to say that you feel like you can only say in that essay, that’s where you put it. This is where you talk about anything they don’t know that you think would make you a stronger applicant.</p>