<p>Is it okay to talk about how I found out about MIT and how it would be great for me to go to MIT in my second optional essay. If I don't write about this, I would leave it blank.</p>
<p>I would say that's a good thing to write about in that section.</p>
<p>Probably every prospective applicant feels it would be "great for me to go to MIT". I suspect writing something along these lines won't serve to differentiate your application from any others, and won't help the admissions officers get to know who you are. If there's an interesting story about how you found out about MIT, or if writing about this topic would give the admissions officers some insight into who you are and what you might bring to the MIT community, then go for it!</p>
<p>Just make it unique.</p>
<p>Do you think it would be a good idea to expand on how one of the extracurriculars you have listed has had a significant impact on your life? Or do you think the admissions people might get somewhat annoyed? This topic is not covered in the mandatory 500 word essay, which is why I would put it in the second optional essay section</p>
<p>I don't think the admissions officers are really ever annoyed by supplemental material, or else they'd place limits on your ability to send it.</p>
<p>If you feel that you want to expand on an extracurricular in that section, do so by all means. That space is there for you to write (or not to write) anything you want.</p>