<p>On the supplement, there's an optional essay, but unlike any other optional essay, behind the word "optional" it says "truly" with parentheses around it. I heard all optional essays are required but what about this one?</p>
<p>Probably still required.</p>
<p>At the info session they talked about it and said that it “truly” is optional. They emphasized that it is optional. Look on the Penn thread on this website and you will see that people are accepted without it. I would still write it though - it’s a fun essay.</p>
<p>It’s TRULY optional.</p>
<p>lol Penn admissions should write a “Yes, you idiots. This is TRULY optional. No, it is NOT required. And we don’t want some smart aleck trying to figure us out either.”</p>
<p>Can we please just settle this question once and for all? No, it’s not required, but writing it (and writing it well) can only help you, so why deny yourself another opportunity to demonstrate your interest in Penn or something creative about yourself?</p>
<p>You can’t afford to throw away any points in your favor, especially as admissions get more competitive, so just write it if you’re serious about Penn.</p>
<p>Apparently the new Director of Admissions, upon his arrival at Penn, was skeptical about this essay. But after his first year in the job, he was so pleased with what he has seen that he is not going to do away with this option. So while the essay is “truly” optional, an application with the essay will be better received, as long as the essay is really good.</p>