<p>Since the essay was truly optional for admissions for applicants into trinity, I am assuming then that essays are not a big part of the admissions process. Am I wrong in thinking this. I am however aware that for pratt, the essay is required. So what is Duke's take on the essay. I however wrote a great essay in my opinion so will it help me get into Duke?</p>
<p>A "great essay" rarely hurts your application :P</p>
<p>What the hockey, I don't think we, as fellow applicants/people who are not on adcoms, are not in the position to answer this question. But, true ociosskmi, I would hope a great essay would not hurt an applicant.</p>
<p>Okay so let me rephrase my question then... did anyone get into trinity without writing the essay?</p>
<p>I know of plenty of people who did. In fact, some applied to Trinity because while they intended on majoring in engineering all along, they simply were too lazy to write the essay and so applied to Trinity, got in w/o the essay, and are now transferring to Pratt (I'm a current sophomore).</p>
<p>^LOL thats pretty funny</p>
<p>Working the system.</p>
<p>Then i guess Duke is more focus on accomplishments both extracurricular and academic. Well i guess i got no chance then...</p>
<p>Wait Wait, when did Duke make an essay optional?</p>
<p>When I'm givng tours and catch the tail end of the information sessions, the information officers ALWAYS emphasize the importance of the essay. Yeah, it's painful to write but is really their #1 window into you as a person. Unless you spent high school doing Nobel Prize winning research/writing a bestselling novel/saving the world, I'd say it's almost necessary.</p>
<p>^ dude, the CommonApp essay is plenty. The optional one is on the supplement, specific to Trinity CAS.</p>