<p>How should I write about my research experiences in Completely Optional Essay about something that I created? The online application said the word limit was 500. Would it be good to excerpt from my paper, or would be better to just talk about it? How personal and/or technical should this get?</p>
<p>You should write an optional <em>essay</em> if you like. An essay is not an excerpt from a research paper. Essays should be personal, not technical. If you want, the essay can talk about your research and mention the paper.</p>
<p>If you like, you can submit an abstract of your research paper with your application, unless the school does not accept addendum.</p>
<p>it is better that u submit an abstract of the research with all major highlights of the project ..an essay wont be needed... infact at top places they have a special mention of these materials as supplements which increase the quality of an applicant</p>
<p>ok, so should I write about my research experience in a personal story telling style in the optional essay box? and then send in my research paper as an attachment if they allow it?</p>
<p>Do that (if you're talking about the MIT app, that's what I'm doing).</p>
<p>can do anything..... if u dont wanna write a personal story even, a research abstract as a supplemental definetely helps</p>