<p>Is that REALLY optional? Or would it be best to send in another essay...</p>
<p>Another essay would be good, as long as you can reveal something else about yourself without boring or offending the admission officer.</p>
<p>is it just me, or were the optional forms not available online?</p>
<p>You can't send them online, but you can download them as PDFs and print them.</p>
<p>Shu, you got in ED, right? Did you send an optional essay?</p>
<p>My D got in ED and she sent in an Optional with different things on it. She explained some things that didn't fit anywhere else in the app such as an injury that sidelined her in sports. She also sent in some pics of her and her friends having fun and the adcom must of liked it among other things cuz she got in. She wanted to do another essay about something that was really important to her but ran out of time. If you have the time for another essay, I say go for it cuz it can only add strength to your overall app.</p>
<p>P.S. to anyone wanting to do an optional essay</p>
<p>Shu is right that you download the form as PDF, print them and then you must send it through the mail. Since Jan 1 is Sunday and Jan 2 is a Post Office holiday, the postmark will be Jan 3. Don't worry and no need to freak about the postmark date. As long as your regular app is in by Jan 1, they won't hold it against you that the optional stuff is following on the next business day.</p>
<p>Grad- Yes, I did get in, and no, I didn't send an essay. My personal feeling is that if you don't have another really, super, extra great theme to write about that you really couldn't address elsewhere, it's not worth it. More material is better if it is actually showing more information, but I think sometimes you run the risk of just inundating them with a lot of extra paperwork, which is the last thing they want, so it could work against you.</p>