Supplemental essays: help or harm?

Applying to College
1

<p>Browsing this site, I see a lot of threads by users who are doing everything they can do increase their chances of getting in to their top schools. Often, the suggestion or idea of sending in an supplemental essay comes up. </p>

<p>Some argue a supplemental essay shows true dedication to and desire for a particular school. Others say that it only comes off as one more essay the admissions officers have to read and could come off as desperate.</p>

<p>As someone who myself wants to increase my chances to getting in to my top schools with elite admissions, I too wonder: should I send in a supplemental essay? But that's just it. Is it a gamble? Does it help? Does it hurt? Is it powerful? Is it annoying?</p>

<p>What do you think? Opinions from college counselors and/or admissions officers, even indirect, are especially appreciated.</p>

2

<p>Unless it’s something truly profound or something you desperately need them to understand, it won’t help. If colleges WANT to hear more from you, they add essay prompts in the supplement. </p>

<p>Submitting some random well-written essay isn’t helpful as it would give you an unfair advantage over all the students who merely submitted the application, and admissions don’t want that. They also don’t want everyone to start sending in extra material.</p>