<p>If a school's writing supplement is optional, does it really count against you if you don't write it? I'm not too confident of my writing skills + I don't have enough time so would it be better if I don't write anything for the supplement?</p>
<p>@skisse: What follows is only one individual’s opinion. Depending on the selectivity of the institution(s) to which you apply, I believe non-submission of the optional essay could “count against you,” BUT NOT BECAUSE THE UNIVERSITY DIRECTLY PENALTY YOUR APPLICATION. Rather, your competitors can – and will – utilize their optional essay to enhance their admission-desirability, and you will not. To illustrate, one applicant might use this essay to document his passion for Twentieth Century American History (the university’s “crown jewel” program), while another might employ the essay to indicate how a serious illness during part of his sophomore year substantially altered his values and goals (which could also subtly explain why his grades that year weren’t stellar). Accordingly, these applicants will attain an competitive admissions advantage that you will not, unless you, too, capitalize on the optional essay as an approved method to promote your candidacy. </p>
<p>In essence, failure to submit the optional essay could be a significant “opportunity cost” (to use the textbook accounting and operations research phrase), but probably not due to any admission’s policy that downgrades you application, per se.</p>
<p>Thank you for your opinion:) anyone else??</p>
<p>I’ve heard a number of admission counselors say “optional essays are not optional”. Basically you are expected to do them. Start writing. You can always ask your English teacher or someone to review the essays after they are done.</p>
<p>When they say optional, they are technically lying: You are highly expected, but not required to do it.</p>
<p>For a side note, some prestigious schools like Bowdoin college don’t require standardized test as well, but it’s not because the school is like “Oh standardized tests are evil”, but because the school wants to give a break to students who simply cannot afford time and money to study for them(for example, students who work all day, take the most rigorous classes, participate in extracurricular activities in the midst of unsupportive familiy situation, something like that).</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies!</p>