<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I am applying to the University of Chicago and I had a question about the optional essay.</p>
<p>How much weight does it have compared to the other essays?
And if it is not the well written, would UChicago reject you?</p>
<p>For example, if you did a good job with the two required essays but your optional essay was not that good, would you have a greater chance of getting rejected compared to having two great required essays only(and no optional essay)?</p>
<p>Why would two be good and one not be good? If you can write two good essays, you should be able to write three good essays. No one has the magic formula, so just write all three the best way you can in your true voice. It’s not worth second guessing yourself now. </p>
<p>@sciencer I totally agree with @annwank. All your essays holistically draw a picture of your character thus if one is well written, so long as the others are coherent, you are fine.</p>
<p>When the Chicago admissions rep came to my school, she said the optional essay is preferred to be a list. It’s optional because it is, optional. I guess they want some kind of creativity to it as well. I told them my favorite jokes.</p>
<p>Thank you! I just meant it hypothetically because I’m just curious. I am sure my essay will be like the other essays I wrote.</p>
<p>My son chose not to do the optional essay. Had I known I would have probably freaked out and insisted he do it. Why not take every opportunity to show who you are? As it happened, however, I didn’t know there even was an optional essay until after the deadline, so we were both spared my stress. His other essays captured his personality well, and he was accepted and is loving it there.</p>
<p>I… you guys wrote essays for this? I only listed out my favorite things.</p>
<p>It doesn’t matter how you approach the optional essay. It’s just a way for them to get to know you better. Some use lists, some write about just one of their favorite things. Just do what is comfortable for you and what makes you shine through. Even though it’s optional, the adcomm rep that came to my D’s school said they prefer that you tackle the optional essay in that it lets them learn more about you. </p>
<p>Thanks guys! I will definitely tackle the optional essay. It sounds like it will be kind of fun to write.</p>
<p>Not to worry. I made a laundry list and mentioned it during the interview, they said it was not a problem.</p>