Whether or not to submit the optional essay....

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>How important is it to send it? Included in my "Why Penn" essay basically a statement which acknowledged that I used to avoid work and rely on my natural ability, but recently I have started doing the required work (my senior grades are really really good... the other 3 years are not incredible, my test scores are really really good). I wrote my optional essay, but I don't love it. I don't really like the topic, and I'm worried its not great.</p>

<p>But I'm worried that if I don't do the optional essay, it could discredit my statement that I am now willing to work hard.</p>

<p>Whadya guys think? Also, would it be a huge mistake to include that bit in my "why penn" essay?</p>

2

<p>Well, because my GPA is average by most standards and crap by Penn standards, and my SAT is great by most standards but average by Penn standards, I'm choosing to write it so I can have tons of writing samples so they can be "holisitc" for me.</p>

<p>In your situation, I'd say if you think your optional essay will hurt you due to its "non-greatness", then don't submit it. Otherwise, do submit it.</p>

3

<p>PM it to me - ill tell if you should submit it or not.</p>

<p>(I already applied)</p>

4

<p>lol, i STILL avoid work and rely on my natural ability, AKA i took their word for it that it was optional. ^.^</p>