<p>has anyone here got into penn without the optional biography essay? just wondering if the "optional (really)" is a trick question to see whether you would take the extra step</p>
<p>I'm guessing it's really optional but still I'm sure they are more inclined to accept people who actually went the extra step and wrote another essay. And I personally think it's a good way to show off your creativty or share a life experience in a different light.</p>
<p>FWIW- my S is applying ED to Penn. He was told by a former Penn admissions counselor, who now works as a consultant, that the "optional" biography essay should not be viewed as optional and has advised him to write the essay. Perhaps her opinion? But he's doing it.</p>
<p>My Penn regional officer came to my school last week and informed me that the optional essay is truley optional, it gives the applicant a chance to show something unique about them, however not doing it does not affect their app whatsoever. He also mentioned that they only "glance" over that essay meanign that they themselves don'e think of it as terribly important. Take it as you wish.</p>